For Immediate Release
ATLANTA’S FASHION, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL ELITE ATTEND EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE SCREENING OF THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED DOCUMENTARY
“VERSAILLES ’73: AMERICAN RUNWAY REVOLUTION”
Acclaimed film won CNN Outstanding Documentary Award at the
2012 Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival
ATLANTA (September 7, 2012) – Atlanta’s fashion, entertainment, and social elite gathered for an exclusive premiere screening of the new documentary,“Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution,” on Tuesday, September 4th, at the glamorous Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Presented by Saks Fifth Avenue andKorbel® Champagne, the invitation-only event was co-hosted by philanthropist Judy Mauldin, beauty icon Mikki Taylor, and fashion historian Cameron Silver. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a proclamation to the film’s director and executive producer, Deborah Riley Draper, a Vice President at BBDO in Atlanta, by City Councilman Kwanza Hall. Guests in attendance included runway legend Pat Cleveland, model Cynthia Bailey, BBDO Atlanta President and CEOGill Duff, producer Reuben Cannon, Burrell Communications CEO McGhee Williams Osse, former Atlanta First Lady Valerie Richardson Jackson, retired news anchor Monica Kaufman Pearson, veteran actress Joan Pringle, and former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, among others.
“Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution” won the coveted CNN Outstanding Documentary Award at the 2012 Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival on Saturday, August 11th. This marks the first award honor for the must-see project, which has been well-received by audiences and critics alike during premiere screenings at the Cannes Film Festival in France, Soho House in Los Angeles, and Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Just in time for New York Fashion Week, the highly-anticipated film releases in theaters today, September 7th, with a limited engagement (September 7-13) at IFC Cinemas in New York City.
“I was thrilled to share my directorial debut with Atlanta. The positive reception cemented the fact that Atlanta appreciates independent filmmakers who deliver fresh, inspiring work,” said Deborah Riley Draper.
New York Times film critic Rachel Saltz raved about “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution” in her recent review of the movie, saying “This is an excellent story, and Ms. Draper tells it clearly and stylishly, teasing out the interesting angles and repercussions. She gives you all the backstage drama and one-upmanship of ‘let’s put on a show,’ building to the appropriate climax: the big night.”
About the Film:
“Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution” follows the events leading up to the iconic fashion effrontery at the Chateau de Versailles on November 28, 1973 between American and French designers. The film recounts the event’s beginnings as fundraiser orchestrated by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert and Palace of Versailles curator Gerald Van der Kemp, to raise money to restore the Palace of Versailles to the fierce competition that emerged between the lions of haute couture – Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro, and American designers – Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and Halston, to the ultimate upset when American designs outshined the French and forever changed the course of fashion history with great clothes and the tour de force Black models who sashayed down the runway, won over the crowd, gaining newfound respect and recognition, and helping secure American fashion’s place on the world stage.
For more information about the film, visit www.versailles73movie.com. For press inquiries, contact Terri Vismale-Morris of New Ideas & Images, (404) 346-0410newideas@bellsouth.com or Joseph Babineaux of Perspective Public Relations, (323) 389-6130 joseph@perspective-pr.com.
Additional photos available upon request!
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November 28, 1973,
Versailles~How the fashion world was changed in under 35 minutes.
Last night, I was invited to attend the advanced screening of Versailles `73 in Atlanta at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and I am still awe struck!
Stay tuned, I want to share my exclusive & hilarious chat with Pat Cleveland!
I now know why all the top designers fell in love with her. Her inner beauty trumps her outer beauty, believe it or not. I could have talked to her all night!
Go see this film! It is the time capsule of fashion! We are so lucky to have it all so well documented....enjoy!
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