Hinderman: British invasion at boutique

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Models ascend the stage and show their gowns during a fashion show at Pink Slip Dress Boutique in Mokena. | Supplied Photo

Updated: March 6, 2012 8:05AM

Pink Slip Dress Boutique, 18907 S. Wolf Road, Mokena, recently hosted a fashion show, and it was a British invasion.

The Beatles-themed dress show previewed items from the boutique’s new 2012 Spring dress line.

The creative team of Lauren McKeague, along with parents Jack and Debbie McKeague, always amaze with their artistic interpretation.

From the invitations, which were 45s (vinyl records, for those in the younger set) purchased from eBay, with the details printed on the dust jacket, to the “tickets,” which were guitar picks — the entire event brought the mop-topped heartthrobs of the ’60s back to Mokena Intermediate School.

When you entered the venue — which was the gym (transformed) — you were transported to Liverpool, England.

On one wall, the side of a British Airways airliner was artistically re-created, using a large overhead door as the plane’s doorway.

The ceiling had clusters of grey and white “clouds” created out of bunches of balloons.

A live Beatles cover band, The Beatle Brothers (www.beatlebrothers.com) was set up in the corner, which was aptly named Abbey Road Studios.

The band played the favorites that had both young and old tapping their feet and clapping their hands, while singing along with the all-to-familiar songs of the Beatlemania generation.

Around the perimeter of the gym were food tables, replete with “Beatle Juice” (juice boxes disguised), crumpets (cookies), and English muffins (cupcakes).

Further down the “lane” — marked by shingles hanging from replicas of old-style gas street lamps — were vendors. They were selling jewelry, accessories, nail services and P.S. I Love You — a new venture by Deb McKeague showcasing invitations, decorations and event coordination.

As the show began, the models disembarked the plane via the overhead door on one wall of the gym —very clever.

The first girl welcomed everyone, signaling that the show had begun; the next two models — who work for the boutique — were clad in flight-attendant costumes, holding valises.

Two young men, dressed in pilot attire, helped the young ladies navigate the dais, runway and the platform, where everyone had a perfect view of the 65 dresses that were being displayed.

The “topping” of the event were the hats that each girl wore to match their outfits.

As always, Pink Slip’s creative effort was on display.

In past events, the handmade hats played up the gorgeous ensemble in which the girls were adorned.

As in the “Jackie O” show in August, in which the girls flaunted pillbox-style hats, or their birthday celebration, compete with wildly adorned birthday hats, this show kept its theme with the girls wearing a wide- brimmed “record” decorated to match each outfit.

From my vantage point, I overhead Debbie and Jack McKeague detailing to their seatmates the different supplies used to adorn the headpieces.

The event, calling for all to “Come Together,” created quite a “revolution” in the local fashion industry.