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Tampa Dress Shop Sends Sparks Inaugural Gowns

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 20, 2009

Even when you're a celebrity, finding something to wear to an inaugural ball can be tough.

When "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks was invited to perform at President Barack Obama's Commander-in-Chief Ball tonight, she couldn't find time to look for a dress.

Sparks called her godmother, Christa Watson of Tampa, for help.

Watson got in touch with Georgette Diaz, owner of Georgette's and the Shoe Salon in South Tampa. Diaz, who has owned Georgette's for more than 20 years, knows a thing or two about fashion.

"I knew [the dress] has to have a 'wow' factor, it had to be in good taste, and it had to be age-appropriate," Diaz said.

It also had to fit Sparks' 5-foot-11-inch frame.

Diaz began e-mailing photos of various styles to Sparks and her mother. The women narrowed it down to four looks: a strapless gown in aqua with a print and layers of tulle; a gown with spaghetti straps in a purple/fuchsia abstract print; an A-line style with a bead-encrusted bodice with a mermaid flare; and a royal-blue halter-top gown with a beaded midriff made of silk jersey. Diaz calls the last one her "safe gown," because it's an easy fit when you don't have the person there to try it on.

Diaz fitted the dresses on an employee with measurements similar to Sparks'. The 5-foot-2-inch woman stood on a chair.

The dresses were packed up Monday and sent by overnight delivery to Sparks' Washington, D.C. hotel. They are expected to arrive by courier this afternoon.

"Then, it's just a matter of which one fits and which one she likes best. They're all beautiful," Watson said.

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