If you are on Instagram in Charlotte, you spent last week with a severe case of FOMO (actually more like KNOW-MO since there was no “fear” to it) scrolling through the photos of beautiful women enjoying the sun in gorgeous gowns with big, stunning floral crowns.
On Friday, April 27, Capitol in partnership with FarFetch.com hosted what looks to have been a simply glorious Farm Party at North Corner Haven to celebrate twenty years of Laura Vinroot Poole’s commitment to illuminating the style and substance of women in Charlotte and the South.
Set on 625 acres of forest and foothills on the NC/SC state line near Lancaster, the Farm Party had a luxe-boho vibe and featured activities such as a Moonshine teepee, wagon rides, sporting clays and fishing, a wildflower crown-making tent, a traditional pig pickin’ supper, barn dancing, and more.
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The guest list was surely one for the record books, including celebs and designers:
Jennifer Carpenter, actress
January Jones, actress
Seth & Scott Avett, the Avett Brothers
Ingrid Vandebosch, model
Cameron Silver, Decades
Harley Viera-Newton, HVN
Irene Neuwirth
Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato, Lizzie Fortunato
Rosie and Max Assoulin, Rosie Assoulin
Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos, Peter Pilotto
Siddharth Kasliwal & Jana Shapiro, Gem Palace
Leslie Tcheyan, Octavia Giovannini -Torelli, and Thea Giovannini- Torelli, Of Rare Origin
Adam Lippes, Adam Lippes
André Leon Talley
Chandra Johnson, SOCO Gallery
Cynthia Rowley & Bill Powers
Caroline Weller, Banjanan
Kelly Framel, The Glamourai
Maria Cornejo, Zero + Maria Cornejo
Ryan Lobo, TOME
Stephanie Mark, Coveteur
Stevie Howell, Stevie Howell
Pamela Love
So yes, you’re not crazy. You did miss quite a party. And the celebration didn’t end there, continuing the next night at the Mint Museum’s 5th Annual Coveted Couture Gala and After Party co-chaired by Laura Vinroot Poole and husband Perry Poole with an Oscar de la Renta retrospective curated by André Leon Talley and DJ performance by Harley Viera-Newton.
“I am so grateful to share Charlotte’s best self, especially all of the talented women who are not afraid to be seen and heard.”
To commemorate #XXCapitol, Laura assembled a group of her favorite designers to collaborate on a capsule collection of apparel and accessories unique to Capitol. Among the 36 limited-edition items ranging from $88 to $10,000 are fresh takes on designer classics, several nods to Southern sensibility, and an enthusiasm for a lighter and sunnier palette. An edited selection of products from the capsule will be on Farfetch with the full collection online at capitolcharlotte.com.
Laura explains the background on a few of the Capitol XX Collection items below:
The Elder Statesman sweater
“My birthday is on St. Patrick’s Day and lucky charms have had a strong influence on my style. With this in mind, Greg created a sweater with our mutual love for rainbow brights and clovers.”
Olympia Le-Tan clutch
“Thomas Wolfe is one of the great American authors and a native North Carolinians. Olympia replicated his first novel, ‘Look Homeward, Angel,’ published in 1929, into one of her signature book clutches, lined in her Liberty print. Each clutch will be hand embroidered with a number, as only 16 pieces will ever be produced.”
Marie Héléne de Taillac bracelet
“To a Southerner, jewelry often serves as a talisman and a symbol of heritage as it is passed down from one generation to the next. Marie Héléne made a custom talisman necklace for me 15 years ago that I wear every day. She re-imagined it into a charm bracelet for others to see the good fortune in each day, just as I do.”
Tabitha Simmons heeled sandal
“A dainty sandal is distinctly Southern and Capitol. We worked with Tabitha to re-master their best-selling Leticia style in a metallic pink.”
Novis fur vest
“The Jackson vest has become a staple of my clients’ closets, so we turned it pink and added mink!”
Irene Neuwirth cuff
“Irene designed a new version of her classic cuff as a symbol of our friendship. She chose multi- colored stones including turquoise, peach moonstone, pink tourmaline, pink opal, and rainbow moonstone to celebrate the eclectic beauty of the South.”
Lela Rose evening dress
“Southerners love to get dressed up, but we never take ourselves too seriously. This dress was designed with the intention of wearing it barefoot to entertain at home, or with a heel to a mid- summer cocktail party.”
Peter Pilotto full-sleeve dress
“We worked with Peter and Chris to add a Capitol twist to this stunning runway piece. We added another full sleeve with the goal of creating a more functional piece that transitions from day to night – something often important to a Southern woman who has many obligations.”
Harley Viera-Newton pocketed shirt dress
“This dress is another nod to my favorite decade, the 70s, Harley Viera-Newton created a fresh version of her classic best-selling shirt dress with a custom botanical print that references the Patrick Blanc-designed vertical garden in Capitol’s courtyard.”
Roksanda jumpsuit
“We love Roksanda’s chic twist on her classic jumpsuit with a touch of feminine pink. This style always quickly sells out at Capitol.”
Rosie Assoulin day dress
“Rosie fell in love with the way we Southern women live in Technicolor. Even a trip to the grocery store is an event worthy of color and immaculate style! So, Rosie designed a custom, cotton poplin/tie-dye day dress to reflect this sentiment.”
“If you shop in my store, prepare to be the most interesting woman in the room,” Laura says. “People are going to gravitate toward you.”
Kudos and Congrats to Laura and the team at Capitol and Poole Shop, and all their customers through all their years, for their commitment to fashion, true style and pride of place. Here’s to another 20 more!
