Holiday lights are twinkling, snow is gently falling, and the time to break out your holiday wardrobe has finally come. Between silly sweaters and cozy fleece pants, it can seem like we have all of our bases covered. But what happens when a holiday party sneaks onto your calendar? While your typical look may be great for an at-home celebration, if you’re invited out somewhere as spectacular as, say, Vanni’s Jazz Lounge, the new speakeasy located at the Inn on Broadway, your normal look just isn’t going to cut it.
Boasting lush green velvet seating, brass accents, and a truly tantalizing atmosphere, Vanni’s invites us to embrace the romance and step into the spotlight with our best foot forward. For today’s looks, we’ve collaborated with fashion veteran Sharon Barratt, owner and visionary of Scarlet Fashions. Tucked away in her private studio in Fairport, Barratt’s carefully chosen collection of formalwear offers her customers the opportunity to be bold and truly embrace their femininity. The four gowns featured here exude glam and charm, making them perfect not just for Vanni’s unmatched aesthetic but for any elegant social gathering you attend this season.
With our first look, we wanted to embrace timeless elegance, and nothing says dreamy quite like a luscious black velvet gown. From the carefully crafted crocheted florals to the onyx sheen of the empire waist, this dress feels plucked right out of the 1930s. The slight gather below the bust creates a delicate waistline that drops seamlessly down into a comfortable column-shaped skirt, not too fitted but still the perfect complement to our model Tanya Coleman’s figure. The elbow-length sleeves allow for an additional level of coverage, and our gown retains an overall sensual flare as we catch peeks of the model’s skin through the lacy pinholes of the bodice. We chose to add a matching drop earring and bracelet set to add a bit of sparkle while still letting the gown take center stage.
Speaking of stage, our next look transformed Coleman into the jazz singer of our dreams. Dripping gold-sequined accents complement incredibly detailed embroidery to create a gown reminiscent of the flapper era. Something this flashy may be intimidating for most occasions, but the holidays encourage a level of playfulness perfectly fit for a dress like this. With the addition of shimmering eyeshadow similar to the gown’s own hue, a simple gold bangle, and gold drop earrings, this look comes together in a bold flash that pops perfectly against Vanni’s lusciously curtained stage.
Now let’s turn our lens to a gown with sequined flare. This green-hued gown isn’t just sexy and classy but also insanely comfortable, with the base fabric consisting of a soft stretch velvet. That stretch allows the gown to hug your body in all the right ways without restricting movement, making it the perfect look to hit the dance floor in. We would be remiss to not take note of the incredible Art Deco earrings, featuring bold green stones and smaller clear crystals, that add the perfect amount of vintage flare. These earrings, plus a fun, beaded headpiece help carry the vibrant colors of this gown throughout the entire look for a vision that is full of glamour and character.
Finally, we finish this shoot with a gown that can only be described as a true piece of art. Standing against a romantic black-and-white wallpaper complemented by deep green velvet curtains, Coleman looks ethereal in an elaborate sequined gown that glows no matter what direction the light shines. Black and silver embroidery and delicate illusion fabric converge to create an incredible Art Deco masterpiece ideal for one of Gatsby’s fabulous soi-rees. The long sleeves provide warmth on chillier evenings while a gentle V-neck keeps this gown looking young and playful. We finished this look with a pair of crystal earrings that perfectly frame Coleman’s face, allowing for her to glow just as brightly as the gown’s intricate detailing.
Whether it’s bold sparkles or dreamy velvets that make you light up this holiday season, it’s clear there is no wrong way to shine when the holiday celebrations come calling. If you are interested in any of these four looks or would like to explore a plethora of other glamorous gowns, you can schedule an appointment today with Barratt at Scarlet Fashions. scarlet-fashions.com
Photographer: Michael Hanlon
Gowns and Accessories: Scarlet Fashions/Sharon Barratt
Makeup: Lamany Chanthavong
Hair: Michelle Doyle
Model: Tanya Coleman
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of (585).
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