Zania's Day 2

Make up by Restoration By Jane B
Cake By Cake Man Raven

Below are just some of the Leah Bradham's photos

Zania's Day

Sometimes the BIG day is a BIRTHDAY

Zania's 18th
Celebrated in Manhattan

Wearing a Red Silk Georgette Gown

by Cassandra Bromfield

Zania won't have to wish for a red carpet moment.

Moments before entering her star studded event

The Red Carpet, A Legend, and Me

It's 5:40 pm and the Screen Actors Guild red carpet coverage is about start. Ruby Dee legendary actress is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Award. I designed her gown for the event.

My red carpet moment begins.

Switching between the E Channel and TV Guide (they need to get Joan Rivers back), I watched the inane interviews that reduced everyone to silly school kids at a prom. It was torture. Actors and Actresses exchanged dialogue about staying in shape and stilletos. They were fawned over by the interviewers who tried to predict a win for everyone.

"I think tonight's your night"
"I've got a good feeling about this"
"I thought you were fantastic, you've got to win!''

"WHAT EVER!"

About 1 hour and 45 minutes in I spied Miss Dee just beyond Cate Blanchett and her belly (she's pregnant).

You may recall my Oscar moment, I have X Ray vision.

Then I knew Miss Dee would be interviewed and asked dumb stupid questions. Most importantly, as Beyonce would say, "Say my name, say my name".

Fade to black, a commercial.

Of course they needed to build the suspense of interviewing an American treasure, a legend whos' body of work includes "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Do The Right Thing". An actress that stood tall and maintained a career in an industry that had few roles available for women of color. She deserved a place of honor on the red carpet.

7:45 Back from the commercial break

and WHO IS THIS! It sure ain't Miss Dee in a 4ply silk bias cut gown, sayin' my name.

The two hour red carpet coverage was over and hallabaloo for me will come another day. I want to give a thumbs up to Sandra Oh who acknowledged a local designer in Korea Town.

8:00pm the Show begins, I relax, say my name, will not be happening this red carpet and I still have the 5 picture inset of the nominees when Best Supporting Actress category is announced.

Seemed like it was about 9:20pm they announced coming back from a commercial break upcoming stars. "We'll be right back with RUBY DEE..." I heard nothing else, just RUBY DEE. Again fade to black.

Oh so, like Micky Rooney she will get a moment and I will see a full length version of the gown.

Well it took a one more commercial break but then the announcer "And Now RUBY DEE". She glided across the stage to present the film clip to American Gangster. I leaned back with pride she looked beautiful. I was so proud! See her glide here. (picture no 15)

So a few moments later the best supporting actress category was announced. Five accomplished actresses were announced and

9:45 She Won!

Her gown of 4ply silk with an embroidered lace and with bronze colored pearls, mother of pearl leaf beads and amber quartz beads embellish her bias cut gown.

With Grace amongst peers who stood to honor her, she accepted her due. Standing tall, her beauty was unmatched. A friend called to tell me how gorgeous she looked. At 83 WOW! Honoring her husband with the work he's doing in heaven, Ruby Dee is an extraordinary woman and I had and extraordinary experience. 

Hey, I'm Gonna' Be On Oprah

Above photo of TV manipulated by Cassandra Bromfield. Photo of Ruby Dee taken at Oprah Legends Ball as seen in Jet Magazine

Well, kind of, sort of, maybe, I don't know, but we will see.

On Monday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET, ABC will air Oprah's Lengends Ball.

If you recall Cassandra Bromfield's Company created a gown for

Mrs. Ruby Dee for that event. 

Jet 2005

So that's why I say, sort of, kind of, maybe.

We'll stay tuned!

Cassandra Bromfield at the Oscars

Well sort of, year before last I had a red carpet moment. I talk about this now because as everyone knows Star Jones is Jumping the Broom. No jokes please, but she is gettin' hitched and it will be a Star Studded event.
So how do I figure into this Wedding of the Century, my client who went to the Oscars, will be at this November hullabaloo, wearing one of my creations.
Below is my Oscar letter I sent out to family and friends. I thought you would get a kick out of it too, even if it is two years old, enjoy.

Oscar Letter

A regular customer called me about two weeks ago and said she needed a blouse for the Oscars. Wow, I'm excited now. When I picked up the fabric I mentioned my moment in the sun to any one who will listen. I actually didn't know if it was going to the event or a party before or after, I just knew it was going to be in the suitcase. The blouse was made, and I found out it was going to be teamed up with an Oscar de la Renta skirt. She had actually rejected the top they made, in favor of my little blouse. So take that you big fat famous designer. I still needed some verification that my little blouse, and matching shawl would make an appearance at some Oscar event. She assured me it was going to be on the red carpet! I'm in, hanging with the big boys, Dior, Carolina, Oscar, and Cassandra. All I knew is she was going with a guy named Marty. And then, like a scud missile, my moment was gone. Your President went to war, there would be no splashy red carpet entrances, I was doomed. As I watched last night, I looked at the pre show with Joan Rivers and then the pre show on ABC. I kept looking for my little blouse accompanied by a guy name Marty. This could have been Marty Feldman for all I knew, the business is loaded with Marty's. During the show I kept looking in the background, balcony everywhere in the back. Then behind the director of Chicago my little blouse, I saw the ruffle of my blouse. WOW! My little blouse is a seat filler. It was so close in the front, Marty must be a seat filler guy! As the night goes on I pull for Chicago to win just to catch glimpse of my little blouse. Even in categories they are not in. Best Documentary, come on Chicago! Let's see that blouse again. Now it's the last few awards and there were a few surprises. Adrian won for Best Actor in the Pianist. Then Chicago did not get Best Director. Oh well, one last award Best Picture. MARTIN RICHARDS FOR CHICAGO, OH MY GOD, MARTY IS THE PRODUCER OF CHICAGO!!! SHE WENT WITH THE PRODUCER OF CHICAGO! MY LITTLE BLOUSE WILL BE AT EVERY PARTY!!!

I have to say it was a great moment. I had a lot of fun looking for my little blouse.

And who wore the little blouse you may ask? Not a famous person but a long standing customer that always challenges me.