I am on a stunning task: I’m joining gorgeously delightful working woman and performing arts lover/philanthropist Pamala Deikel as she readies herself for gala season 2010.
Walking into Pamala’s home, I experience menagerie gilded elegance, with a hint of whimsy. Antique furniture and a baby grand piano fit perfectly. Various decorative dishes made to look like vintage opera programs are sporadically placed on the table. Then there are the throw pillows. One in particular stands out. Carefully embroidered on it are the words: “Life is short Pamala, buy more shoes.”
Pamala Deikel out shopping
The playful mix of décor parallels Pamala’s personality: classy, organized, and ebullient—which is the approach she takes for the upcoming gala season. On one end, she has a long list of items she has to consider for the galas: What’s the general theme? What’s happening at the opera? What’s happening at the symphony? Will her husband, Ted Deikel, accompany the galas with her? (“I’ve talked my husband into doing both this year,” she laughs.)
Then she thinks about the other side of the spectrum. “I think color. I think about the time of year. I think about how I feel that night,” says Pamala. “I try to keep a sense of fun, because it’s not all serious.”
Pamala’s little dog, Peggy, is a sugar rush personified who begs for your attention, and you have no choice but to adore and pet her—but it doesn’t distract from the tasks at hand.
“A DAY OF PREPARATION for a gala really translates into months,” says Pamala. “For September, we are going to have incredible opening nights.”
Pamala is no stranger to galas. From her experience, it starts with the sartorial core of the perfect gala look: the dress.
“This year, I ordered two gowns,” she says. “Both of them are by Naeem Khan—this season’s dresses were so magnificently done.”
As is normally the case, Pamala didn’t just walk into a store and take gowns off the rack to find her unique dresses. But, too, this year, she
didn’t go through the searching process she normally does, which includes attending numerous gala runway shows and trying on the pieces hand-selected by her personal shopper, Katerina Cambron. In a way, this year’s dresses were chosen before she even saw them.
“During Naeem Khan’s San Francisco show at Neiman Marcus, I was back East,” she says. “A friend [Ken Paige] who was at the show texted me and said ‘I have found your dress for the opening night of the Opera.’”
The next day, she came back to the city, went to Neiman’s, and chose two dresses from the collection that embodied who she was and what she wanted for that season.
“It’s one of the best gown shows I’ve ever seen. The gowns, fabrics, were so breathtaking,” she gushes. “The one for the symphony is kind of flesh-colored and is made of a beautiful organza. I feel very feminine in it—it goes with my blonde hair!”
Like any other lady, Pamala enjoys adding a great designer gown to her closet—but she doesn’t mind wearing the same gown to different events. In fact, that plays a big part in her gala gown decision making.
“I am not against recycling a gown at all—a really great gown is a
really great gown,” she says and then laughs, “I try to stay the same weight—but there may be a push or pull a little there.”
After she chooses the dress, Pamala gets it altered to fit perfectly. She’s very strategic about this process; when everything is done, she must be comfortable.
AFTER THE DRESS come the shoes; they play a key role in fitting the gown. And then the accessories—jewelry, a clutch, and a wrap. [And if you’re wondering what women use those impossibly small purses for, Pamala let us in on a little secret: “There’s usually a magnifying glass in there that comes with the purse, and I carry lipstick. I don’t worry about my keys; my husband has a pocket.”]
“You’re really comfortable?” I ask, somewhat dismayed, especially knowing Pamala’s penchant for high, high heels.
“Yes,” she answers with that room-brightening smile. “I want it to feel effortless. That doesn’t mean it didn’t take a lot of effort to get there,” she laughs. “But when I’m at a gala, I don’t want to be thinking about my shoes, or jewelry, or my dress. I try to look as good as I can, and then I don’t want to think about it. I want to be with the people and the performance.”
WHILE PREPPING for gala may require a lot of time, the effort appears to be more joy than labor. When I embark with Pamala on finding accessories and a clutch, it’s a celebration of sumptuous searching. Her years-long relationships with those who know her needs and taste—bold, brave, and beautiful—means that shopping is a running presentation of uniquely stunning items picked just for her. (“It’s a little embarrassing that the employees at the store know my grandchildren by sight and name,” she admits with a sheepish smile.) In short, it’s a ton of fun and laughter.
The joy continues on day-of gala prep. It’s an enjoyable shift in Pamala’s tireless work schedule as a residential and furniture designer, which normally sees her waking at 5:30 a.m. to a non-stop agenda.
Pamala’s “day of” starts with family. “I run and see my grandchildren for part of the day,” she says. “That gets me good and worn out.” Then it’s off to the hairdresser for styling, and then make-up. “I’ll do my own make-up if needed, but I have to get my hair done,” she says. “And I really enjoy all of the people I work with, so it’s just a lot of fun.” As we’re greeted with smiles, refreshments, and the most efficient of glamour makers, it’s not difficult to understand why Pamala looks to trusted professionals to add the final touch. And that’s really it!—pretty much . . .
“I may change my earrings at the last minute before I am out the door,” Pamala laughs. “I might plan, but I may have a last minute inspiration; I let the plans get looser as I move forward.”
And then, when all’s complete, she’s comfortably where it counts—with friends, and with the occasion.
Growing up with an opera singer mother, Pamala has a deep love and appreciation for the performing arts and takes her, and all gala goers’, role as part of it all into account when approaching these magical nights. “Guests are part of the production,” she explains. “The crowd—it’s part of the creation. All of us contributing to the arts.”
See you there.
Dino-Ray Ramos is a freelance fashion and entertainment writer. When he isn’t enlightening young artistic minds at the Academy of Art University as a journalism instructor, you can enjoy his playfully disgruntled discourse on his personal blog, “the finer dandy” (blog.dinoray.com).
