St. Louis has a lot to brag about. One architectural gem in our own backyard is the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park. From 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, a celebration will be held in honor of Mr. Wright’s 148th birthday on the park grounds. Benefit chairs are Clare Davis and David Obedin; honorary chairs are David Mesker and Dorothy Haase.
This year, the annual fundraiser, A Tribute to Trebor Tichenor, One of the Great Modern Masters of Ragtime, will pay homage to the St. Louis native (1940-2014), who was an internationally renowned performer, composer and authority on ragtime music. For more than 50 years, he performed with the St. Louis Ragtimers and as a piano soloist. A concert at 3 p.m. will honor Trebor and feature musicians and family members Virginia Tichenor, Andy Tichenor and Marty Eggers, as well as the St. Louis Ragtimers. In conjunction with the event, a special exhibit of photographs, ragtime piano rolls, and memorabilia from the musician’s collections will be on display in the house. Guests also will be able to tour the house formerly owned by Ruth and Russell Kraus, an important midcentury landmark designed by Wright.
The event also will honor Joanne Kohn, chairman emeritus, for her 18 years of outstanding leadership of the organization. Kohn led the campaign to raise funds to save and restore the house and supervised its restoration to a level of excellence that brought national and international attention.
Proceeds from the party will help fund projects and programs of the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park, a nonprofit organization that preserves the house as a museum and educates the public about architecture and design. Completed in 1955 for Russell and Ruth Kraus, the house is notable for its architectural integrity and original Wright-designed furnishings. It is located at 120 N. Ballas Road in Kirkwood.
Wondering what to wear to the event, which is outside and in the summer? Thank goodness the invitation says “casual dress and walking shoes.” That means you can wear a sundress, culottes or shorts (not cut-offs). Accessories should include a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen protection. Shoes? Since it’s in a park, I suggest you select a pair of flats, wedges, or even stylish athletic shoes. Avoid wearing heels, as they can easily sink into the ground.
For more information about the event and the organization, visit ebsworthpark.org.
Pictured above: Jimmy Choo, saks.com
[tricks of the trade]
Q| Japanese kimonos are a fashion trend. How do I incorporate this silhouette into my wardrobe?
A| Versatility is the key with kimonos, which by the way, means ‘thing to wear.’ They come in different designs and lengths. The fabric is lightweight and perfect to cover the shoulders and arms when the A/C is chilly. Kimonos can be worn as jacket, dress and bathing suit coverup, with or without the obi belt. A fashion-forward updated look is to wear one with a top and shorts. Or substitute a kimono jacket instead of a pashimina over a sleeveless dress. Best bet: pair your kimono-designed pattern with a solid color.
[Ellen Soule is a public relations and fashion consultant. She is the St. Louis regional director for Fashion Group International.]
