Fitting a Queen

Photo by Adam and Leanne Gilbert, courtesy of Camille’s

For the past decade, JOANNE MIRANDA, the owner of Camille’s of Wilmington, has been dressing the Azalea Queen and her court for the Festival’s many – and extravagant – events. 

Preparing the curated fashion looks, which this year’s Queen Elaine Hendrix and her court showcased at this month’s Azalea Festival, is a process that begins with initial dress selections in August, Miranda says.  

“I’m really kind of going in blind trying to find stuff, so I just find as much as I can, and the last few years have been wonderful,” she says. 

This year, Miranda sourced all of the dresses from Italian designer VENI INFANTINO.  

Photo by Adam and Leanne Gilbert, courtesy of Camille’s

Each queen, Miranda says, has her own style. Last year, BETHANY JOY LENZ opted for more vintage looks. This year, Hendrix bucked tradition by donning a matching hat with her coronation dress. 

“When she was here trying on, she loved all the dresses, but she was very quiet,” Miranda says. “I had these hats because Veni sent me them … not knowing the queen has to wear a crown.”

Photo by Adam and Leanne Gilbert, courtesy of Camille’s

Miranda suggested one of the hats. 

“She almost turned into her (Meredith Blake) character in my eyes, she just loved it,” Miranda says, referencing the dramatic introductory scene of Hendrix’s behatted character in the movie The Parent Trap.  

There was a minor fashion emergency the morning of the Azalea Festival Garden Party, Miranda says, when Hendrix’s dress was a touch too tight and uncomfortable.

Camille’s Azalea Festival team. (Photo courtesy of Camille’s)

Local seamstress GLENDA ADAMS (pictured far left) came to the rescue, she says, by hopping in her car Friday morning to the Cameron Art Museum, where a pre-Garden Party ribbon cutting took place, and fixed it minutes before Hendrix went on air. 

“It’s a complete honor,” Miranda says of the annual fashion tradition. “It’s an overwhelming process, but when it’s all said and done once you’re there, I think alright, I can’t wait for next year.”