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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/CCMoa.St.138.jpeg|416Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Photo of the Year: Belk’s vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction Arlene Goldstein dancing in the rain at a street party uptown during the Democratic National Convention is my favorite photo of the year. It showcases her joie de vivre, and the fact that she’s recognized nationally as a fashion expert (she was covering fashion during the DNC for her ongoing style blog for the Huffington Post). With the help of Goldstein, 2012 was Belk’s greatest year in its 125-year history with milestones including the Southern Designer Showcase, a new line by Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton and exclusive collaboration with acclaimed menswear designer Joseph Abboud. (Photo by Jeff Cravotta)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/b0wNu.St.138.jpeg|433Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Best Costume Party: Hope Nichols encounters The Creature from the Black Lagoon at Return to Modern: An Evening of an Era, a benefit for the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The party celebrated the spirit of the late 1950s and the era’s art and design. Retro lounges, gourmet food served in TV trays and a Sci-Fi movie set were part of the fun. (Photo by Daniel Coston - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/1568TO.St.138.jpeg|420Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Most Impressive Gala: There are many amazing galas in Charlotte on a regular basis, but Opera Carolina’s Bella Notte continues to be the most impressive. Thanks to a stellar selection of creative event chairs (tastemakers Barrie and Matt Benson did the honors for 2012) it continues to top itself year after year. Sitting on stage at Belk Theater amid a dramatic opera set and gorgeous décor while surrounded by a Who’s Who of Charlotte dressed to the nines is a magical experience. (Photo by Wendy Yang Photography)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/1fNlfS.St.138.jpeg|525Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Best Inaugural Event: Tracie and Emmanuel Ohonme along with the other guests at the Barefoot Gala put on their tuxedos and gowns, but checked their shoes at the door. It was hosted by The Women Ambassadors of Samaritan’s Feet, founded by Tracie Ohonme as an extension of the Samaritan's Feet nonprofit her husband Emmanuel Ohonme started in 2003 to inspire hope in those in need. The purpose was to raise awareness about underprivileged children here and around the world, but especially in Africa where many go without shoes. (Photo by Paul Williams III - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/SxFaW.St.138.jpeg|429Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Most Inspirational: I was blown away by “On the Road,” an exhibit of photos based on a coffee table book of pictures taken by North Carolina photographer Missy McLamb that chronicles 10 weeks in the lives of Jimmie Johnson, his wife Chandra and their daughter Genevieve during the 2011 season when he was gunning for what he hoped would be his sixth straight win in the NASCAR Cup Series. The photographs succeed on many different levels: as a behind-the-scenes look at one of NASCAR's most popular drivers; as a photo album of two loving families (the Johnsons and their racing family made up of fans and team members); historical documentation; and as art. It’s so inspiring; I would love to see the exhibit again in a museum where many of the iconic images belong. (Photo by Daniel Coston - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/1dZvzJ.St.138.jpeg|525Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Couple of the Year: Artistic, edgy, fascinating, stylish, intelligent, amusing. Those are just a few words that follow Andreas and Regine Bechtler wherever they go, making them the couple everyone loves to have at their event. If you see them out, ask Andreas about his current art projects. And always ask Regine, who’s also a talented and respected artist, about what she’s wearing. There’s a good chance she’ll say that she made it herself – sometimes the afternoon of an event. (Photo by Daniel Coston - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/1ovM29.St.138.jpeg|512Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Best Celebrity Moment: There was already excitement over legendary singer Aretha Franklin performing as part of the private concert series Music with Friends. But when Franklin’s close family friend Whitney Houston died a few days beforehand, a national media frenzy broke out because it would be Franklin’s first concert since the sad news. “I’ve been in this business since 1973 and I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Larry Farber of EastCoast Entertainment, who’s also co-founder of Music With Friends. “ABC, NBC, all the networks – everyone was calling because they wanted to be there to see what she would do.” Those who witnessed her impromptu and heartfelt tribute to Houston described it as riveting and emotional - as if they were being thrown back into an old Baptist church 30 or 40 years ago. (Photo by Daniel Coston - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/UDao.St.138.jpeg|525Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Volunteer of the Year: Sherrard Georgius brought her big heart, fun personality and beauty to more parties this year than I can count. Her presence is always genuine, and as a co-founder of the Dream Catcher Society for Levine Children's Hospital, a Good Friends board member and a participant in the 2012 Dancing for a Cause benefit for the YMCA, she does more than just show up and look fabulous – she works hard to make Charlotte a better place for everyone. (Photo by Daniel Coston - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/ubsKx.St.138.jpeg|419Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Most Exciting: Fans of fashion and interior design are amazed by the incredible line-up of nationally known experts the Mint Museum Auxiliary brings to town during its fundraisers for the Mint Museum. Interior designer Celerie Kemble was the big name for its Room to Bloom series of fundraisers in the spring. In the fall, they brought fashion designer Trina Turk (shown in the photo above) for an event that’s still being talked about. Then a few weeks later they helped organize a talk featuring popular celebrity design duo Cortney and Robert Novogratz. (Photo by Daniel Coston - Special to the Observer)
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/02/17/58/1i5EMe.St.138.jpeg|320Olivia Fortson, social editor of the Observer and its sister publication SouthPark magazine, shares her Best of Charlotte's social scene for 2012. Hottest Food Trend: It seems the biggest trend now at parties is small food. Take the cupcake, which was once the tiny alternative to cake slices. Now even they have been usurped by smaller cake pops. And large vegetable trays are out. The modern way to serve raw veggies is to present them in small individual glasses with the sticks of veggies standing in the dressing. (Photo by Olivia Fortson)
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