June's edition of the Sorrento Cocktail Club drew in an especially exciting crowd. Not to belittle the always healthy showing of artists, writers, musicians and corporate geniuses, but this time two of Seattle's premier fashion designers, Carole McClellan and Francisco Hernandez, were in attendance, and when two great design minds meet, inspiring conversation is sure to follow. Of course, models always accompany their designer, so the cocktail club had a few new sexy faces like up-and-comers Andrew Springer and Jamie Pickard. Subterfuge Editor-In-Chief Sarah Elizabeth Caples looked absolutely ravishing, as usual, in a beaded slip dress reminiscent of the pulchritudinous Roaring Twenties. Equally special was the attendance of Michael and Barbara Malone, owners of the resplendent Sorrento Hotel. This elegant couple (pictured above) was our sartorial favorite of the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric Robison with designer, Carole McClellan and our own Tristan Uhl.

Looking at the crowd from the lobby, there was no denying it; as impossible as it seems, each cocktail club is bigger and better than the ones that proceeded it. With original attendees like author Ric Merrifield, who is always working on interesting projects; glamorous women like hair stylist Galina Petersen and Providence O'Christmas Trees Director Patricia Szabo and Providence Event Coordinator Rachel Ragland; favorites like Marianna Veress and Ryan Miller Barnes; gentlemen like the owner of Oslo's, John McDowell and handsome, busineess man and style scene maker Eric Robison; and socialites such as Jiawen Shi who recently enjoyed a fabulous, iconic rock-n-roll birthday party on the rooftop of Hard Rock Cafe; for the Subterfuge Set there's no escaping a great time. Would that we could describe all of the sexy newcomers, but let's just say there were accents involved, sneaky cigarette tête-à-tête's, smoldering looks and a few coincidental disappearances we are not at liberty to mention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Models Andrew Springer and Jamie Pickard, with designer Francisco Hernandez and Sarah Elizabeth Caples.

Speaking of sneaky cigarette breaks, the outside area beside the fountain has become the new breeding ground for alternative conversation at the Sorrento Cocktail Club while enjoying a quick puff as the night progresses. Dubbed "the naughty kids corner," inspiring, informative and intellectual conversations about music, philosophy and fashion amongst the Subterfuge Set as—to quote the rock drama Velvet Goldmine—"our cigarettes trace a ladder to the stars." Trenton Flock, Tristan Uhl and Viktor Lawryniuk have a standing music discussion that seems to pick up right where it left off every month, with ethereal and electronic musical interests running from Goldfrapp to Fever Ray. Great music is truly best when shared with friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glamorous Breonie Baylov tracing her own ladder to the stars...

As always, the last attendees standing were reluctant to call it a night, still engrossed in conversation and having too much fun. Most of this group, including Sarah Elizabeth Caples, motivational speaker and fashion plate Paris Mullen, and home stylist Eduardo Mendoza-Núñez invaded the nearby Hideout for more conversation and a nightcap. Can't wait to do it all again next week!

 

Nolans Stamps, Sarah Elizabeth Caples, Blaine Reed, Stacy Kvam and Eduardo Mendoza