A Fashionable Night for LOUIE
Card fashions hit the runway at the International Greeting Card Awards honoring the best of 2004 designs.
By Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 7/1/2005
It was an evening of fashion, camaraderie, and awards as the greeting card industry gathered for the 17th annual International Greeting Card Awards — the LOUIEs. The gala event, centered around the theme “LOUIE Awards — Always in Fashion,” took place at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers during the National Stationery Show in New York, May 16.
This year's awards chairman, Mike Oleskow of Max & Lucy, devised an exciting program kicked off by a runway show of stylish fashions created from greeting cards and stationery products. Twelve very different and creative ensembles were modeled in Seventh-Avenue style for the crowd. Fashions ranged from a mini-dress and a ball gown to a maternity outfit and bridal confection. And gentleman's fashion was not forgotten. The most show-stopping creation was a Louis XIV costume presented by Great Arrow. The elaborate outfit, modeled by Alan Friedman, came with powdered wig, tricorne hat, and shoe buckles created entirely from cards.
And the LOUIe goes to …Then it was time for the event that everyone, especially the finalists, was anxiously awaiting — the presentation of the LOUIEs. Taking the highest honors as Cards of the Year were Up With Paper and The Museum of Modern Art. Paper Prince was bestowed with the Judges' Choice Award, and an additional 55 awards were handed out in individual categories. Included among the winners were several first time entrants, some first time winners, and various companies who took home multiple honors. For a complete list of winners, visit www.greetingcard.org.
