Best Dressed
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Alexis Bittar, Kiki; pumps, Zara
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
shoes, Schutz, Chatta Box
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.
Parker, Saks Fifth Avenue;
earrings, Oscar de la Renta, Neiman Marcus
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.
shoes, Valentino,
Saks Fifth Avenue
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!
shoes, Gucci
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
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”
