Brenda Phillips wears an Escada blazer from Saks Fifth Avenue, Rag & Bone jeans from Edit, earrings by Alexis Bittar, and shoes by Kate Spade New York. Above photo by Jeannie Frey Rhodes. All other photos by Kleinpeter Photography.  

Style meets substance in support of the American Cancer Society

 

Coco Chanel said it first: “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” The 20 Baton Rougeans featured on these pages certainly fit that description. Selected by the gala committee of the American Cancer Society, each of them has a focus on philanthropy that’s only rivaled by a sharp sense of style. These men and women will be honored at the organization’s Best Dressed Ball on April 18 at the River Center, and proceeds from the event will directly support the local chapter’s good works. inRegister asked the honorees to share some of their style secrets and to reveal what makes them so passionate about this cause. Read on for their enlightening and sometimes surprising answers.

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Robin Bonnette

Mother of three; interior decorator

 

My style in five words or less

Eclectic and polished

What I wear to a dinner party

A fabulous shoe, dark denim flares, sassy top, great jewelry

Go-to pair of denim

Hudson never fails me.

Prized possession

My wedding ring

What I’m looking for now

Fringe-trim flat sandals

I can’t get enough of

Vintage gold bangles and cuffs

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Crocs

If no one were looking, I’d wear

My favorite PJ pants, a tank and flip-flops all day

Must-have product

Red Chanel lipstick

 

 

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Geno Brown

Haberdasher

 

My style in five words or less

Custom shirts and cowboy boots

What I wear to a dinner party

Three-piece suit, no tie … and of course the boots

Go-to pair of denim

Brown & Brown chinos

Piece I skimp on

Non-work clothes—my casual wardrobe is shrinking.

What I’m looking for now

Great plaid pieces

I can’t get enough of

Colorful textured ties

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

A three-button suit

Signature fragrance

Creed “Aventus”

Must-have product

Clothes that fit!

My best secret

Dressing well affects your disposition.

 

 

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Pete Bush

Certified financial planner and CEO/managing partner, Horizon Wealth Management

 

My style in five words or less

Relaxed and comfortable

Weekend ensemble

Comfortable jeans, untucked shirt, ball cap and Sperrys

Piece I skimp on

I usually don’t skimp … maybe T-shirts?

Last thing I purchased

Four new sport coats and some new bucks

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Skinny jeans (and trust me, no one else would want to see me in them either!)

Must-have product

Great cologne … smelling good is mandatory!

Favorite tie

Any one that is not on my neck at the time

 

 

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Melissa Campbell

Wife; mother; owner/principal, Peak Media

 

My style in five words or less

Chameleon—I have many moods.

Fashion inspiration

Love me some Pinterest!

Favorite designer

Oscar de la Renta—cutting edge and modern yet at the same time very ladylike

Weekend ensemble

I’m totally rocking the workout gear on the weekends. It’s all about comfort!

Prized possession

My relationships—I invest my efforts and energies into my family and friends.

Best fashion advice I’ve received

You’re never fully dressed without a smile. Yep, it’s true.

My fashion motto

Use restraint. The shoes, the bag, the outfit and the earrings do not need to all match! 

 

 

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Brian Dantin

Real estate developer

 

My style in five words or less

Classic and comfortable

Favorite designer

Ralph Lauren

Weekend ensemble

Flip-flops

I can’t get enough of

Baseball caps

Worst fashion memory

When I wore jorts in middle school

If no one were looking, I’d wear

Overalls

Signature fragrance

I’ll put an extra Bounce sheet in the dryer if we are going to dinner.

Best fashion advice I’ve received

My brother always said it’s better to under-gel your hair than to over-gel!

My fashion motto

Stay away from tight-fitting clothes.

 

 

 

 

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Stacey Davis

Owner, Davis Design Concepts

 

My style in five words or less

Classic with an edge

Weekend ensemble

Wilt workout clothes

Most splurge-worthy item

Watches

Last thing I purchased

Lionette silver stoned necklace

What I’m looking for now

A great spring handbag

If no one were looking, I’d wear

Boxers and my husband’s T-shirt

Signature fragrance

Chanel “Chance”

Must-have product

EltaMD tinted sunscreen

Best fashion advice I’ve received

Splurge on classic pieces you can wear for years.

My fashion motto

Accessories make the outfit.

 

 

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David Dellucci

Retired MLB player; owner, Extra Innings Baseball Academy; commentator, SEC Network

 

My style in five words or less

Versatile

Favorite designer

Billy Reid

Prized possession

World Series ring

I can’t get enough of

I’m a shoe freak—tennis shoes, dress shoes and boots.

If no one were looking, I’d wear

Nothing

Signature fragrance

Bottega Veneta

Won’t leave the house without

A watch to match the occasion

My fashion motto

When in doubt, go all out.

 

 

 

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Laura Domingue

President/founder, Trafficking Hope

 

Daily uniform

Skinny jeans, fun top, booties and a long necklace

Most splurge-worthy item

Oversized purses

Piece I skimp on

Face wash. Purpose is the best.

What I’m looking for now

Anything hot pink

Won’t leave the house without

Lipstick

My best secret

I have five kids … I have no secrets.

My fashion motto

Have fun, be comfortable and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Handbag of choice

Gucci snakeskin hobo

 

 

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David Duggins

Louisiana business development for MedFinManager

 

My style in five words or less

Preppy

Prized possession

Cartier watch

Last thing I purchased

Robert Graham button-down shirt

I can’t get enough of

Allen Edmonds footwear

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Polyester

Signature fragrance

Bleu de Chanel

Favorite footwear

Chukka boots

My best secret

Shave in the shower.

My fashion motto

Wear it like you just don’t care.

Favorite tie

Vineyard Vines

 

 

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Todd Howell

Owner, The Aesthetic Medicine & Anti-Aging Clinics of Baton Rouge and Lafayette

 

 

My style in five words or less

Trendy

Favorite designer

John Varvatos

Daily uniform

Scrubs

Prized possession

Limited-edition Panerai “Daylight” watch

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Paisley

Worst fashion memory

Z. Cavaricci

Signature fragrance

Tom Ford  “Grey Vetiver”

My best secret

Obagi Elastiderm

My fashion motto

Less is more.

 

 

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Leslie King

Homemaker

 

My style in five words or less

Understatedly chic

Fashion inspiration

Olivia Palermo

Favorite designer

Rachel Zoe

Piece I skimp on

LBD—one of my favorites was only $30 from Zara.

Signature fragrance

Kai perfume oil

Must-have product

Hair volumizing powder

Won’t leave the house without

Kissing my husband

Favorite footwear

My Valentino “Rockstud” heels

Best fashion advice I’ve received

Confidence is your best accessory.

 

 

 

 

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Heather Kleinpeter

Community sales director, Americana

 

My style in five words or less

Balanced, timeless and feel-good!

Favorite designer

Stella McCartney

Daily uniform

Skinny jeans and a comfy top/blazer

Prized possession

A jewelry box full of my grandmother’s costume jewelry from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Something that is uncomfortable

If no one were looking, I’d wear

My birthday suit

Must-have product

Moroccanoil for my unruly hair

My fashion motto

Never judge a piece by its label.

 

 

 

 

 

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Stephanie Marcello

Mother and homemaker

 

My style in five words or less

Classic, casual, chic

Fashion inspiration

Audrey Hepburn

Favorite designer

Oscar de la Renta

Daily uniform

Cashmere top, cropped denim, Chanel ballet flats

Last thing I purchased

Jimmy Choo “Langley” gold high-heel sandals 

Signature fragrance

Creed “Spring Flowers”

Must-have product

La Roche-Posay Toleriane face wash

Best fashion advice I’ve received

Buy only a couple of trendy items per season.

My fashion motto

Fashion is what you wear; style is how you wear it.

 

 

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Nathan Matticks

Salon owner and stylist

 

My style in five words or less

Classic and tailored

Fashion inspiration

Tom Ford

Favorite designer

My great-aunt Edith Head

Daily uniform

Designer jeans and a tailored shirt

Prized possession

My grandfather’s cufflinks

Most splurge-worthy item

Custom-made blazer

Last thing I purchased

Hugo Boss tux

What I’m looking for now

Vintage Cartier watch

Must-have product

Kevin Murphy Night.Rider matte texture paste for hair

My fashion motto

I’m allergic to cheap.

 

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Rubin Patel

Physician, Ochsner Urgent Care

 

My style in five words or less

Individual

Favorite designer

Thomas Pink

What I wear to a dinner party

Casual shirt and jeans

Prized possession

Allen Edmonds wingtips

Most splurge-worthy item

Suits

Worst fashion memory

Jams

If no one were looking, I’d wear

Boxers all day

Signature fragrance

Roger and Gallet

Favorite footwear

Casual: Birkenstocks; dress: Cole Haan

My fashion motto

Dress to impress.

 

 

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Michele LaCour Percy

Retail consultant and buyer for Lukka Boutique

 

My style in five words or less

Classic with an edge

Fashion inspiration

Heidi Klum

Favorite designer

Coco Chanel

Prized possession

My Haute Hippie white fur vest

What I’m looking for now

Cute maternity tops that aren’t maternity

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Loud prints

Signature fragrance

Hanae Mori

Must-have product

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement serum

My fashion motto

Dress for yourself in what makes you feel fabulous.

 

 

 

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Lexie Polito

Director of marketing, MAPP Construction

 

My style in five words or less

Spirited!

Daily uniform

Colorful shift dress

Prized possession

My daughter, Arabella. The best accessory I have ever had!

Last thing I purchased

Botkier metallic gold backpack

What I’m looking for now

Pointed-toe white leather pumps

I can’t get enough of

Matching-set outfits

Won’t leave the house without

Sunscreen

Favorite footwear

Jimmy Choo and Sophia Webster

Best fashion advice I’ve received

Be yourself and have fun.

 

 

 

 

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Brenda Phillips

Wife, mom and grandma

 

My style in five words or less

Chic, modern and simple

Fashion inspiration

Jennifer Aniston-she always looks amazing.

Prized possession

My grandmother’s cocktail ring

Last thing I purchased

Wide-leg Alexis pants for summer

I can’t get enough of

White T-shirts

If no one were looking, I’d wear

T-shirt and leggings

Signature fragrance

Bond No. 9 “I Love New York”

Must-have product

Nivea cream

My fashion motto

If you love it, wear it!

 

 

 

 

 

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Taylor Robert

Insurance

 

My style in five words or less

Current

Favorite designer

Gucci

Last thing I purchased

Diesel “Jogg” jeans

What I’m looking for now

Whatever my wife finds for me

I can’t get enough of

My daughter and son

If no one were looking, I’d wear

Sweatpants

Must-have product

Hair gel

Won’t leave the house without

Wedding ring and Catholic medal

Favorite footwear

Cowboy boots

Favorite tie

Michael Costello bow tie

 

 

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Blake Whittle

Senior vice president, Primerica

 

My style in five words or less

Southern gentleman/West Coast style

Favorite designer

Robert Graham

Daily uniform

Suit and tie

Most splurge-worthy item

Watches

Last thing I purchased

Gucci high-top shoes

What I’m looking for now

Breitling watch

Wouldn’t be caught dead in

Anything camo

Worst fashion memory

Everything I wore before I met my wife

Signature fragrance

Givenchy “Pi”