“Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Presents the Gems of Femmenation” was the 10th anniversary gala celebrated during the Carnival season at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Gemstone references abounded throughout the evening, which began with founding member and President Lisa Ray Diggs.
Reigning as queen was Ms. Monique R. Jones, daughter of Grant and Tammy Jones. A graduate of Xavier University, she is in a doctoral program at the University of Holy Cross, a counselor at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary and president-elect of the PLCA Division of the Louisiana Counseling Association.
She wore a column gown of white silk peau de soie embellished with aurora rhinestones and Swarovski crystals with a feather plumage train. Her mantle was adorned with rhinestones, crystals, pink and green sequins depicting an ivy theme and the Femme Fatale bejeweled lips compact. The collar continued the color palette. She wore a silver-toned crown with coordinating crystal scepter.
Maids in the court were Ms. Amari Chatters, Ms. Jaimee K. Lewis, Mrs. Amani Randall and Ms. Ashley Sankey. They wore strapless mermaid silhouette blush gowns encrusted with sequins on a velvet base featuring a gossamer horsehair hem and train. Headpieces completed the theme.
Royal princesses included Misses Kendall Blond, daughter of Mr. Kendall Blond and Mrs. Nadia Blond; Taraji Cotton, daughter of Mr. Tiaj Cotton and Ms. Robyn Offray; Marlee Lacy, daughter of Mr. Derham Lacey and Ms. Gwendolyn Jones; and Dynver Williams, daughter of Mr. Desmond Williams and the late Mrs. Dominique Ferguson Williams. The princesses were presented in white beaded adorned ballgown featuring a box pleated, A-line mikado skirt, front pockets and an open lace-up back.
Retired state Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson served as grand marshal.
Founding members Dr. Takeisha C. Davis, parade captain, and Ms. Ann Marie Allen, co-captain, began the celebration. Founder Ms. Gwendolyn V. Rainey and members Mms. Yvonne Mitchell-Grub, Catherine Phipps, Joan Cooper-Rainey, Bherita “Bambi” Hall, Nghana Lewis-Gauff, Michele Hayes and Sharlayne Jackson-Prevost made their formal entrance.
Board of directors members presented included Mms. Lisa Marie Hagan, chairwoman; Jenarald Scott-Wilbon, secretary; Kimberly Early, treasurer and founding member; Valenetta Rainey, corresponding secretary; Zina M. Green, financial secretary; Danielle Moses, parliamentarian; and Beatrice H. Belisle, Karen Chambers and Lolita Barnes.
Former queens, Femme Fatale Crown Jewels, included Mms. Dawn Bentley Johnson (2017), Kimberley Prater-McPherson (2018), Pamela Prout Foxworth-Carter (2019), Dr. Maychelle Cooper-Rodney (2020) and Denean Trigs-Keys (2022).
Tributes honoring the late Ms. Barbara Lacen-Keller, charter member and chaplain, were performed by the Original Lady Buck Jumpers.
Mistress and master of ceremonies were Mrs. Tamica Lee and Mr. Norman Robinson.
Following the royal second-line, guests were entertained by Clark Knighten and the 4X4 Connection, Tonya Boyd Cannon, Doug E. Fresh, Mannie Fresh, DJ Polo and DJ Arie Spins.