Neiman's gala has glitterati agog

Even among regulars on the Seattle black-tie charity circuit, Neiman Marcus' opening gala Thursday has elicited a different kind of fashion fervor.

Months ago, gala committee member Rose Dennis, of Bellevue, custom-ordered a one-shoulder, hot-pink cocktail dress from local designer Luly Yang for the event. "I wanted something unique and different to stand out," she said.

Stacy Lill, of Woodinville's DeLille Cellars, was undecided about a dress a week before the gala but had booked a room at the Westin in downtown Bellevue. A couple friends are flying in from Arizona, and they will get ready and stay at the hotel that night.

"The term 'gala' tied in with Neiman's puts some pressure on," Lill said. "I truly have friends who are going out of their way in a way I have not heard in a long time to really put their outfits together."

Despite a dismal economic climate, the luxury department store is doing its best to court its core clientele with a sold-out fundraiser in its three-level store, at The Bravern. The gala committee is packed with well-known local names such as Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and former Seattle Mariner Edgar Martinez. About 1,200 people are expected at the benefit for three local organizations: Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Hopelink and Poncho.

For some attendees, the $200 ticket is more than a chance to raise money and socialize with the elite — it's shopping. The store will be ready for opening day and attendees can buy goods from Chanel, Zac Posen and Balenciaga.

"You get the first choice," Dennis said. "We can go straight for the designer we like."

She is curious to see which designers the store will carry here, but she's also looking forward to the shops in The Bravern.

She calls Tory Burch "very trendy, very young" and says of Jimmy Choo: "My goodness, his shoes are lovely."

Seattle is pretty relaxed about fashion, she said, but she thinks Neiman Marcus could help change that.

People are concerned about tough economic times, Lill said, but they're also excited to have a new place to shop and new restaurants to try. The Bravern complex also will include Seattle's Wild Ginger and Artisanal Brasserie from New York.

"I'm an Eastside girl and I love there's going to be so many more choices and options," she said. "I really love that I might be able to encourage some of my Seattleite friends to come over. Bellevue's not so far away."

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com