Grand Opening Celebration - 1994

Having survived a wardrobe challenged demolition and our "expedited" two month build in which we naively risked life, limb and sanity performing tasks we had no business attempting, we opened our first store, fulfilling a dream I never knew I had until so many opportunities came my way that I couldn't refuse them.

This was cause for celebration!

Our 1500 square foot store was packed with menswear from Hugo Boss, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Jhane Barnes, Mondo and Marzotto, which didn't leave much room for the fashion show and major party we wanted to make happen. We would have to take over Bellevue Square's east atrium.

Late on a Sunday night, after the shopping center closed, friends, family and fashionistas converged in Bellevue Square's east atrium for the first David Lawrence fashion show and party.

Models provided by our dear friend Terry Morgan at TCM, https://www.tcmmodels.com, emerged from our store on the second floor and rode the escalator down to the raised runway, surrounded by seating and trees on the first floor, worked the runway, then returned by escalator to the store. All was theatrically lit from the 2nd floor railing. The music blasted and echoed through the entire shopping center. Watching from the railing above, I remember thinking it was pretty dramatic.

After the fashion show guests returned to the store and the second floor atrium for shopping, lite bites, drinks and late night cabaret performed by me and my theater friends at AMTE, American Musical Theater Ensemble. What an evening!

Every time I set foot on that escalator it all comes back to me! The 90's. Big shoulders, big hair and big dreams!

David of David Lawrence