By JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
2/15/2007
That "Midnight Train to Georgia" will pull into Tulsa this weekend.
A display of items from Grammy-winning artist Gladys Knight's wardrobe will be on display from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21st St. Some items will even be for sale, with proceeds benefiting charity.
Among the items in the collection, some of which will be at the bookstore, are gowns by Bob Mackie, Tony Chase, Oleg Casini, Giorgio Armani, St. John and Lillie Rubin -- and Knight donated the gowns to be sold for charity.
"It's just interesting to see," said event coordinator and Tulsa native Brian Welsh during a recent phone interview from Las Vegas. "When you look at it, you think, 'Wow! This has been seen by millions and millions of people at concerts and on TV appearances.' "
As a young teenager, Welsh would hop a Greyhound bus to attend her concerts.
"I never thought I would be helping with such a massive project as this incredible wardrobe and knowing such a fabulous woman," he said. "It's been a real treat in my life."
Proceeds from the event, which is open to the public, will benefit Knight's charities, Welsh said -- specifically the American Diabetes Association's Elizabeth Knight Fund, which Gladys Knight founded after the death of her mother, who had diabetes.
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The numerous pieces come from stage and public appearances with friends and fans alike throughout her career, said Brenda Knight Clark, the Motown star's sister, during a phone chat from Las Vegas. One of the original Pips, Clark is helping Welsh with this event, as is Michael Gough of Tulsa.
This is the first time any of these pieces have been on public display, said Greg Hisaw at Borders. Tulsa is serving as the test market to see how future events or auctions might go.
It's taken months to sort through the collection and catalog items, Clark said. A Web site is under construction.
Before they go online, some of the gowns will debut in Tulsa. Included are gowns such as the one she wore when she accepted a Grammy award for the smash hit "Midnight Train to Georgia," Welsh said. Other gowns were worn for album cover shoots and publicity photos.
Pieces include a black velvet Tony Chase gown with Dolman sleeves and heavy faceted crystals, as well as a gold lame halter top jumpsuit by Steve Burrows. And then there's the double-take-worthy, handmade Nolan Miller silk gown that "looks like a big flame coming up from the floor," Welsh said.
"I feel Tulsa is the perfect city to make an initial presentation," Welsh said. "Tulsa people are enthusiastic about their music, and I hope they enjoy our display. I know we are having fun bringing it to Tulsa from Las Vegas."
For more information on the event, call Borders Midtown at 712-9955.
Jason Ashley Wright 581-8483
jason.wright@tulsaworld.com
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