Motown feel to fashion festival
A riveted world watched with bated breath as the Supremes, the dreamgirls of the 60s and 70s, rose from poverty in Detroit’s Brewster housing project to unimaginable fame.
Stories of how they broke up, got new members, reunited and split again became the stuff of Hollywood scriptwriters.
Of course, the blockbuster The Dreamgirls was loosely based on the trials and tribulations of The Supremes, winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Hudson, an American Idol finalist.
The Supremes’ polished singing and sensational sequinned gowns captured the public’s imagination at a time when racial divides were collapsing. Motown founder, Berry Gordy saw the potential of the band which could attract both black and white listeners and he was proven right. At their peak in the 60s, they were second only to The Beatles!
The rise of La Ross
Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson originally formed The Primettes as a sister act to Paul William’s The Primes (later to become The Temptations).
After a series of flop singles, they finally made it in 1964 with When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes.
Before long, it was goodbye to one-nighters in Motown’s trailer buses and hello to upscale nightclubs like Copacabana.
It was also obvious Diana Ross was the star of the show with her sultry looks and sensual singing. The group changed its name to Diana Ross and The Supremes. Florence Ballard left and Cindy Birdsong joined the group. Birdsong, in turn, was replaced by Lynda Laurence who will be performing at Hilton KL on Nov 8.
Diana Ross went solo and became even more successful. Ross’ role was taken over by Jean Terrell who was later replaced by Scherrie Payne, who will also be here on that date.
The Supremes gave their final performance in London’s Drury Lane on June 12, 1977. Florence Ballard died of a heart attack in 1976 after falling on hard times.
The Supremes reunited briefly in 1988 for Motown’s 25th anniversary featuring Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. In 2000, there was a US tour featuring Diana Ross, Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence for their Diana Ross and the Return to Love tour.
Fashion festival
”Payne and Laurence will be joined by Freddi Poole, a fabulous soul singer, for the launch party of Stylo KL Fashion Festival appropriately called The Dreamgirls. We believe these ladies will cast the same magic that had Motown and the world spellbound!” says Nancy Yeoh, Stylo KL Fashion Festival president.
The Fashion Festival will be held in March 2008 at The Pavilion in the week leading to Formula One. This show by The Supremes in November is for one night only.
Laurence and Payne will be dressed by BritishIndia, made up by Giorgio Armani Beauty and coiffed by L’Oreal Professionnel.
“The evening will also feature a unique fashion presentation by leading Malaysian designers and international labels to interpret their versions of The Dreamgirls to the accompaniment of amazing Motown classics – a unique evening of nostalgia where fashion rocks!” Yeoh adds.
Presented by Stylo KL Fashion Festival, Corum and Giorgio Armani Beauty, the concert is being co-sponsored by Hilton KL, Coca Cola and Carlsberg. Tickets cost RM500 (very limited), RM350, RM250 and RM99 (standing).
