When elegance meets power

Women will dress to the nines for the ball, get businesslike for inauguration

For the first time at the state's inaugural ball, there will be more gowns than tuxedos on the elected officials being feted.

With six women taking office Saturday, Friday night's bash will have more bling, dazzle and glitz than usual.

All eyes, of course, will be on the state's first female governor-elect, Beverly Perdue, who will trade her signature blue suit for a red beaded ball gown.

On Wednesday, Perdue shared sketches of the gown and the suit she'll wear to the swearing-in Saturday. Both were created by designer Lynda Narron Bunn, who owns Lynda's Couture in Bailey.

Perdue said this year's gown, made from a beaded double-layer silk chiffon, quickly became a favorite. It has a sheer organza bodice with long sleeves, a heavily jeweled collar band and cuffs and a full apron in the back.

"I really did like this look," Perdue said. "I like it better than anything I've had."

Her red suit for Saturday, made from Italian wool and Lycra, is a stark contrast.

Perdue said she'll likely wear it with a silver heart-shaped bracelet, a favorite piece that her father gave her mother while he was serving in World War II.

After the inaugural weekend, the dress will go to the N.C. Museum of History.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall also had a gown made. The shimmery mauve strapless gown has shutter pleats, front ruching and a shrug that should come in handy as temperatures dip Friday night. She'll wear it with a diamond and pearl necklace given to her by her husband.

Seeking a balance

Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry also will wear jewelry with meaning. She's pairing her grandmother's crystal earrings, bracelet and necklace with a layered chiffon gown in cobalt blue.

Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson didn't have to spend time shopping for her dress. She'll wear the one she bought four years ago, when she had to skip inaugural festivities as courts decided whether she or her opponent won the election.

"I told my husband I was wearing this dress even if I had wear it to buy milk at the Harris Teeter," she said.

The champagne pink gown from Enchanting Moments in Fuquay-Varina has a jeweled top and slightly flowing skirt. Atkinson described it as simple yet sophisticated. "It has a balance between being pretty and not too revealing," she said.

Treasurer-elect Janet Cowell struggled to find a similar balance. She found it at Cameron Clothing in Raleigh's North Hills, in a deep purple V-neck chiffon gown by Jovani. The focal point is an art deco-style brooch on a satin sash at the waist.

Auditor-elect Beth Wood will wear an espresso-colored strapless mermaid-shaped gown from Kannon's Clothing in Wendell. She'll wear matching opera-length gloves with a crystal and topaz necklace, bracelet and earrings.