This Thursday
kicks off the Michigan International Women's Show at the Suburban Collection
Showplace in Novi. Now in its 17th year -- with hundreds of exhibits and
workshops, demonstrations and activities -- it has become a local tradition as
well as a great weekend destination for women everywhere.
"I'm very
excited about it," said Maureen Dunkel, who’s traveling to the show from
Nashville. Dunkel is the owner of the "Royal Dresses of Diana, The
People's Princess" exhibit and author of "My Decade with Diana: The
Perpetual Power of the People's Princess," which chronicles her time as
owner of the dresses and how they have been used for charitable purposes to
further Diana's mission of helping those in need.
Visitors to this
year's show will have the opportunity to meet Dunkel and see the exhibit that
features not only an amazing collection of gowns, but a display of photographs
and video. The exhibit provides a retrospective of Diana's life and her journey
from a shy girl in the English countryside to a royal bride and future Queen of
England to mother, fashionista, divorced princess and humanitarian.
"I think
visitors will love the total experience," Dunkel said. "It tells the
story of one of the most famous icons of all time."
Comprised of
seven sections, visitors might want to allow extra time to take it all in.
The journey
begins with a 15-minute documentary about Diana, followed by a glimpse of the
early years: Diana's ancestral background, childhood experiences and lineage
that factored into her future relationship with Britain's royal family. Then on
to Diana's engagement and wedding: A video story of the announcements and the
ceremony that was viewed by more than 750 million people worldwide. The
Princess of Style & Charity portion of the exhibit features video,
graphics, sketches, notes and commentary from Diana's favorite fashion
designers sharing personal insight into Diana's legendary transformation from
ingénue to style icon. The fifth stage of the journey, "The Servant
Princess," tells the story of Diana's tireless approach to her duties as a
princess with a purpose as she ascended to global humanitarian, highlighted by
the perspectives of those who benefitted from her compassion and generous use
of her royal platform. "Goodbye England's Rose" leads visitors
through the somber moments that followed her passing: video of her brother's
eulogy as well as the royal family's reaction to her death and ultimate
honoring of her life. Guests are invited to leave words of endearment and
tokens if they wish.
The finale is a celebration of Princess Diana's dresses.
Among those at the show are several gowns by Catherine Walker, one of Diana’s
favorite designers, and the regal beauty she wore dancing with John Travolta at
a White House state dinner (at left).
This exhibit is
by no means a simple display of royal wedding memorabilia. One might even say
it was destiny that made Dunkel curator of the dresses.
In June of 1997,
while Diana was still alive and Dunkel was making decisions that would impact
her own future, the Princess of Wales commissioned Christie's to auction off 79
of her gowns. These were dresses, which she had collected during her 15 years
as the wife of Windsor, which were handpicked from her closet to be auctioned
off for charity. Shortly before the auction, Dunkel was told by her financial
adviser that textiles were a good investment. So Dunkel placed an anonymous bid
on several of the dresses in the auction.
She became an
owner and contributor to the cause, as all proceeds from the auction were donated
to charities that Diana supported. "There was a buyer at the auction who
donated a dress to the Boston-based AIDS charity," Dunkel said. Dunkel was
not only dazzled by her purchase, but even dumbfounded. After all it's not
every day that a woman purchases a $200,000 dress owned by the future Queen of
England.
Then the
unthinkable happened. Diana was killed in an automobile accident in Paris and
all of a sudden what was a financial investment had become an irreplaceable
heirloom, a piece of a puzzle that would forever remain unfinished.
"I didn't
really follow her (Diana)," Dunkel said. "Then when she died, and we
had all of that news about the accident and her life 24/7, I got to know her as
a woman."
It's this
understanding of Princess Diana that led Dunkel to expand her role and her
collection to 13, which at one point was on loan to Kensington Palace.
"Yes, it was a great investment," Dunkel said. But one that came with
great responsibilities that Dunkel has shouldered with endearing pride and compassion
not only for the People's Princess but those who gave her the title.
Viewing the exhibit is included in the show admission.
"Royal Dresses of Diana: The People's Princess" is just one of the many exhibits being featured at the Michigan International Women's Show going on May 3-6. Other highlights will include displays and demonstrations that celebrate the creativity in all of us. The CHA Craft Pavilion will feature expert crafters teaching new techniques on everything from beading and scrapbooking to sewing, paper crafts and home décor.
Another pavilion
will cover women's health concerns and workshops that will help them balance
personal needs with those of their job, family or interests. Kristy Villa, host
of Lifetime's "The Balancing Act," is among the many celebrities who
will take the stage at this year's show.
Local celebrities
will include Novi's heroic firefighters, who have volunteered to walk the
runway modeling their dress blues and bunker gear, along with cancer survivors
from the "Go Red for Women."
The "Summer Reading Handpicked from
Local Michigan Authors" exhibit will feature a number of authors including
Marie Masters, who has written self-help and inspirational articles for
Detroit-area newspapers and magazines. Masters will debut her new memoir,
"The Color of Sunset." From the concrete streets of Detroit to the
cobblestone paths of Paris, Master embarks on a journey that reveals her
relationships to various men and the paintings of Claude Monet.
"I have
always seen my life reflected in Monet's work," said Masters, "and
sensing his courage no matter what he faced, sunrises or sunsets, inspired me
to keep trying in my life as well."
Joining Masters
at the show will be several other authors, including Anca Vlasopolos (“Walking
Toward Solstice”), Karen Blaisdell (“I Could Write A Book”) and me (“The Winter
Spirit”).
Be sure to stop
by and say hello!
The Suburban
Collection Showplace is at 46100 Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road.
Show hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 3; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 4; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 5; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6. Admission: $10 for adult; youth 6-12, $5;
and children 5 or younger get in free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Advance tickets are $9 online at The International Women's Show
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