Neiman Marcus fashion show to benefit Seattle Opera

Published 11:13 am Friday, March 25, 2011

Neiman Marcus Bellevue will host an exclusive evening to benefit Seattle Opera on April 7.

In celebration of Seattle Opera’s upcoming production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which features costumes by designer Zandra Rhodes, Neiman Marcus Bellevue will host a full fashion runway show of Rhodes’ Spring 2011 couture collection. In addition, the store will showcase seven of The Magic Flute’s elaborate costumes in its windows and throughout the store from April 1-10.

On the evening of the fashion show, 250 guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres prior to the seated runway show, followed by a champagne and dessert reception. A limited number of VIP guests will also have the opportunity to mingle with Rhodes, as well as Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins and The Magic Flute Director Chris Alexander, during a special pre-show reception.

Seattle Opera is currently taking reservations for the event, with 80 VIP and 170 Patron-level tickets available. For more information, call 206-676-5568 or visit www.seattleopera.org/zandrarhodesevent.

The opera opens May 7 and runs for nine performances through May 21.

More details, including ticket information, cast list, synopsis, and photos, audio, and video are available online at www.seattleopera.org/magicflute.

Rhodes was born in Chatham, Kent, UK, in 1940. Her early textile designs were considered too outrageous by traditional British manufacturers so she made dresses from her own fabrics and pioneered the use of printed textiles. In 1967 she opened her first shop: The Fulham Road Clothes Shop in London, with Sylvia Ayton. In 1969 she took her collection to New York where it was featured in Vogue, after which she began selling to Henri Bendel.

In the UK, Rhodes was Designer of the Year in 1972, and in 1974 was made Royal Designer for Industry. In 1975 she founded her own shop off Bond Street London. She has designed for clients as diverse as Diana, Princess of Wales; Jackie Onassis; Elizabeth Taylor; and Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen.

In the last decade, Rhodes’ career has diversified into designing sets and costumes for opera, including costumes for San Diego Opera’s The Magic Flute, as well as sets and costumes for their production of The Pearl Fishers.