Fashion Brunch at Marion’s - Mode Merr April 22, 2005   Written and Photographed by Ilise S. Carter
	Redhots

Long before socialites and fashion victims prowled the Bowery in $600 dollar jeans and Ugg boots, the leading fashion houses turned out clothing that brought a touch of elegance and style in to the lives and wardrobes of women. On Sunday, April 4, Marion's Continental and Mode Merr fashions brought back a touch of that glamour with their burlesque fashion brunch.

Mode Merr is the brainchild of New Hampshire-based designer, Angela Zampell, who readily admits that the Granite State "is not the hub of fashion." But be that as it may, she has managed to produce a line of clothing that successfully combines such diverse influences as tattoo art, mid-century kitsch and doll clothing. The result is a retro line of tops, skirt and dresses that reflect the edgy, irreverent style of a client who's more Suicide Girl than Simple Life.

Given this uncommon aesthetic, it was especially fitting that the clothing was modeled by members of the Red Hots Burlesque troupe and the World Famous Pontani Sisters. Ms. Zampell explained she was especially pleased with this format, since it brought our the sense of "animation" to her clothing that you just don't get with a conventional catwalk show. Her models happily dance, strut and flirt their way through their numbers, working every curve and detail of the outfits.

In choosing burlesque performers, Mode Merr was able to show the clothing on a range of body types from XS to XL. This is another way in which Mode Merr's direction differs from the current fashion trends and the movement toward the Hummel figurine-sized body ideal. The construction of the clothing itself is also lovingly designed to highlight the best features of the wearer. Little details like fringe and piping are paired with eye-catching pink elephants and flame appliqués on skirts in a variety if silhouettes from the vamp-y pencil skirts to voluminous crinolines.

Fashion was, of course, not the only reason for the stylish crowd; many had also come to enjoy the burlesque of the Pontani Sisters and the Red Hots in the vintage fabulous environment of Marion's Continental. Founded by a former model, Marion Nagy, just after World War II, Marion's itself has a long history of glamour and entertainment. Now run by her son, this oasis on the Bowery, features smart cocktails, elegant food, burlesque and other revamped retro attractions

For more information see:

www.modemerr.com

www.marionsnyc.com

www.pontanisisters.com

www.redhotsburlesque.com