On May 24, stars from all around the world gathered at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall for the premiere of the highly anticipated film Sex and the City 2. Since the debut of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte 12 years 
ago, fashion and style became the driving force of the series as well as the subsequent films. Here in Milwaukee, three nights later at the Marcus North Shore Cinema, fans and local celebrities alike also congregated to watch and discuss the filmic fashion fest. Organizer of the VIP screening, Impressions Salon Owner Kitty Tierney provided about 375 of Milwaukee’s own style mavens cosmos, hors d’oeuvres and the red carpet treatment. Sally Severson, Channel 12’s own fashion trailblazer, emceed a raffle benefiting Froedert Hospital. I consider this classy gal one of the best-dressed women on local television.
Cinematically, the film isn’t Shakespeare, but then it’s not supposed to be that deep. It is about how women live their lives or aspire to in a more fabulous way! Female bonding over fashion is really a throwback to the glam films of the ’30s and ’40s, including the famously over-the-top The Women in 1939. 
Empowerment comes from a lot of places, but feeling pretty and sharing that with your friends is timeless obviously. The fashion trends that have come as a result of the characters have been a welcome relief to the blander styling of “Friends” or other television shows of previous eras The only other show that launched so many trends was probably “Dynasty” back in the ’80s. (Hello shoulder pads!)
I was tapped by Ms. Tierney to be the sole judge of the dress as your favorite “Sex and the City” character contest, and schmoozed the crowded lobby during cocktail hour to see who was the most on target with both the look and style of the characters from the film. The women who participated had a great time channeling 
the iconic characters, and it was a tough decision. The clear winner in both the style and look of the character was Miranda doppelganger Kathryn Daly, who captured to buttoned down yet chic look the lady lawyer always has. She was endowed with a $500 Nordstrom gift card, which she could no doubt use to purchase a pair of her own Jimmy Choos. Nonetheless, all the gals looked stupendous.
Other notable lookalikes included Maria Burke, who put on her best Carrie-inspired outfit, which consisted of interesting peep toe shoe booties, sequined mini to show off her well-toned legs, a simple tank, slouchy cardigan and envelope clutch. Her own curly hair 
took her a cut above the rest. On the other hand, Victoria Jaber-Boden took a cue from the film’s previews and did a J’Adore Dior T-shirt and evening skirt look, which literally stopped me in my tracks. A beautiful ensemble for sure, but I thought she resembled the charming Charlotte physically. Loved it! Mary Tobin had a wonderful time portraying Samantha after her cancer
treatment, platinum wig, cosmo, cavalier attitude and all. The lady in red is Michelle Zimmerman-Schultz, mother of two, who took the opportunity to dress up and show off her figure in this flattering monochromatic ensemble. I love the way the red plays up her blonde hair and pale skin; she’s a winner, even if she didn’t get a prize. Looking great in a soft pink was Carrie Wheeles, who I thought could have been a Miranda because of the sophisticated simplicity of her dress. Emily Fuger had a blast in her knee-length tutu much skirt, tank top, and high-heeled metallic sandals. Laurie Brewer looked like a glam Samantha in her one-shouldered satin cocktail dress with high-heeled pumps and 
clutch. Jamie Rick did her best to Carrie in a replica of the famous white dress with huge flower detail from the last film.
Love it, hate it, sick of it or not, “Sex and the City” will be remembered for the good-natured fun it inspired in those who watched the exploits of these relatable yet unreal women. They cheered for 
the weddings, cried at the breakups and laughed unapologetically at the female-centric blue humor. Anyone with any type of awareness of the public zeitgeist will come to understand that Carrie and friends elevated fashion from dreary dressing to stylish sport. So let’s hoist a cocktail to the next installment whenever that may be and say a hearty “bravo” to the way it captures female fun and the frivolity of fashion on film.
