COCKTAILS WITH A SIDE OF BURLESQUE?
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanIt was an evening of a different sort as “La Maison Cointreau” was unveiled with the lovely and statesque, Dita Von Teese, on Monday evening, October 15, 2012.
Cocktails with a side of burlesque? That was the theme as the evening unfolded. Guests stepped in the door of this nineteenth-century townhouse in Greenwich Village and were quickly transported back in time. They were greeted by library mistresses who were dressed in top hats, glasses and vintage-chic garments. Making their way through a labyrinth of experiences, the likes of chivalrous waiters served Devil’s Own & Side Car cocktails to those who were willing to partake. Then guests moved on to a meticulously curated library with a sampling of one of the largest collections of rare, first-edition and historic cocktail books dating from the mid-1800’s. One of the real treats of the evening was Alfred Cointreau, sixth generation family member, giving what seemed to be a first-hand account of Cointreau’s rich history, its beginnings in Angers, France in 1849 and its inclusion in some of the very first cocktail recipes ever created.
This enticed the audience ever further so they meandered up the grand staircase into a cocktail lab, reminiscent of the apothecary of yesteryear, where Master Mixologist, Kyle Ford, gave a presentation of a concoction of Cointreau, Lime & Soda cocktails.
Notable guests for the night of sultry seductiveness and a visit back into an era of glamour included Perez Hilton, Alexa Chung, Lola Rykiel, actress Lynn Whitfield, drummer/actress Tennesse Thomas, Bonnie Morrison, Heidi Klum’s first ex-husband, Ric Pipino, sartorial stylist Logan Horne, model Alina Baikova, fashion photographer Miguel Reverigo, burlesque performer Dirty Martini and nightlife personalities, Ladyfag and Sophia Lamar, not to mention a showing of industry mavens and socialites to view this elaborate and illustrious townhouse filled with three floors of old-school charm.
As the curious viewing was complete and the magical bewitching hour struck, guests were lured back downstairs to a French boudoir-inspired ballroom, culminating the extraordinary evening with a myriad of unique performances. Entertainers included French singer/accordionist Nicole Renaud, Chanteuse superstar Lady Rizzo, glass player Johnny Rogers and DJ Chelsea Leyland.
The night came to an end as the International Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, serenaded the crowd and captivated her audience with a seductive burlesque routine. Teese put her fans under an enchanting spell with sultry moves, Swarovski-crystallized undergarments and brightly-colored pheasant-feathered fans.
Could there be a bit of Dita Von Teese in all of us?
La Maison Cointreau moves on to Dallas (October 22-23), Los Angeles (November 5, 7, 8) and San Francisco (November 13-15).
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images
Comments are closed.