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Nov. 30--More than 80 Southeast Texas women were made to feel like celebrities Wednesday as two photographers, two videographers and a horde of press agents introduced, posed and pictured locals with fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
Nygard, who travels with an entourage of about 24, plans to tour every Dillard's store in the United States during the next two years.
The tall blond, who sells his clothing exclusively at Dillard's stores in America, appeared Wednesday at Parkdale and Central malls, where employees and customers lined up to get personalized black-and-white 8-by-10s of the designer.
"I think that was exciting," 76-year-old Elera Turner of Beaumont told Nygard videographer Paul McCrea, who taped Turner's meeting and, afterwards, her response to the fashion magnate. "I've never met a designer before."
About a dozen women at Parkdale Mall gave "testimonials" about why they wear Nygard's clothing, McCrea said. These snippets -- plus others of Nygard striding through the store, talking to employees and posing with shoppers -- will be edited into a short film that will be played at the store, said McCrea, manager for Nygard Fashion Network.
The same will be done at every Dillard's, so that each site has a personalized video, McCrea said.
"This is the biggest thing that has happened to our store," said 27-year-old Deidra Mayer, visual manager at the Parkdale Dillard's.
Mayer and 21-year-old Jessica Holland, a Dillard's area sales manager, followed Nygard and his cloud of staff around the store.
"I've only been here (Dillard's) a week," Holland said of her new employer, "And this is all I've heard about."
The designer's two photographers took about 900 pictures each, said John Bartelings, senior fashion photographer. Many pictures were taken to create the paparazzi flash effect.
"I create more theater," he said. "Drama."
Each person who posed with the designer received this movie star treatment, prompting him to quip, "See, that didn't hurt a bit," to 80-year-old Opal Hawley of Orange.
Hawley, who visited Dillard's just to meet Nygard, came dressed in his designs.
"This looks like one of mine," Nygard said of her black pants, and black-and-tan shirt.
"It is. It has your name on it," she replied.
jreid@beaumontenterprise.com (409) 880-0787
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Beaumont Enterprise, Texas
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