Monday, April 24, 2006 4:38 AM
by
flowerplace
Over the Top Hairpieces
Not every woman can wear the types of hairpieces that were worn at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA by the women of Las Floristas on April 21st, 2006 at their 68th Annual Headdess Ball.
Las Floristas is a non-profit organization that raises 3/4 of a million dollars each year for the Rancho Los Amigos Childrens Hospital in Downey, CA.
This years ball theme was "Legendary Ladies" and featured such favorites as Bette Midler, Dolly Pardon, Frida and Mame. During the evening seven ladies, referred to as Living Mannequins, adorn a headdress that measures 6'x6' and perform a live runway show with dance routines known as the Parade of Mannequins. The winners are announced at the end of the show and the audience votes on The Peoples Choice Award.
The frame for these masterpieces is constructed from aluminium tubing and window screening secured onto a fiberglass helmet. There is a back brace with a pallet at the end of it and fits into the pocket of the mannequines merry widow.
During the show it appears as though she is carrying the headress on her head but the weight is actually on her hips thus allows for easy movement during the preformance.
The frame is then covred with fresh flower petals and allowed to dry out to rid the petals of moisture and weight. The headress is then painted the colors of the theme and during the final 12 hours before the ball the fresh flowers are added to the headdress. This is truly a spectacular show!
Guests are invited to enter the mini headress competetion during the cocktail hour before the dinner and show. These are either self constructed or designed by local florists. Scott and Richard of The Flower Place in Fountain Valley were asked to design one for a customer who is a member of Las Floristas. Her theme was Cruella de Ville......
(more pictures in the gallery)
We have been participating in this headdress ball from 1979-2000 in various capacities. Entering the main competition, floral advisor, judges of the main competition and the nimi competition and Scott was Emcee in 2000.
We competed against each other in several balls and in 1996 we entered "the Magic of Walt Disney" and won Sweepstakes and the Peoples Chioce Awards. Between us we have entered 8 headdresses and have 3 Sweepstakes and 3 Peoples Chioce Awards.
For a closer look at some of our entries please visit us at :
http://theflowerplacefv.com/outandabout.htm