Alençon lace, Italian silk and hand-twisted tulle are often shaped into couture confections by Nardos Imam. More than any other medium, however, the designer delights in spinning dresses from the stuff of dreams for discerning women of all shapes, sizes and ages—a theme reflected in every detail of her debut runway show last Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.
Hints of the magic soon to come were evident throughout pre-show preparations. After a practice sashay down the runway overseen by show producer Jan Strimple, models were prepped backstage with retro-modern coifs and soft makeup. Mary-Frances Hurt and her team from DFW Events buzzed about backstage to ensure that every element of the show was executed to perfection, while Lucy Diaz-Flores and Bella Flora of Dallas created stunning floral headpieces, accents and arrangements that brought the event design of Stage Works’ Nelson Robinson to life. Richard Eiseman’s team carefully matched an array of glittering jewels to the personality of the gowns in the runway collection—Mozambique ruby earrings worn by Mila Kunis were paired with a delicate lace trumpet finale dress, for example, while an antique French necklace dating to the Victorian era accented the constructed bodice and billowing skirt of the standout Gilded Gold gown. Don’t just take our word for it, though—see for yourself in these exclusive behind-the-scenes photos.