Introducing the 2023
MOBILE MARDI GRAS ROYALS
It is that special time of year when Mobile transforms into a world of merriment, filled with costumed revelers, extravagant floats, MoonPie showers, and beads galore. And for this incredible group of Mobile Carnival Association and Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association Royals and Leading Ladies, this is something they’ve dreamed about for many years. To be chosen to represent their city, families, and some of the oldest Mardi Gras organizations, is an extreme honor, and the memories they will make will surely last a lifetime. Access Magazine is proud to present this fantastic group of 2023 Royals.
By Caroline Edmondson Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com
Hair Jason Chambers & Felisha Allen, Headdress Salon, 251.689.7427.
Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com & Jessica Price, Primp Lash & Beauty, 251.285.3000.
Infant Mystics and Strikers Society Lady Cooper Knowles Leland
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mikell Leland, Jr., Lady Cooper Leland will not only reign as MCA Queen for the 2023 season, she has also been chosen to serve as both the 180th Strikers Leading Lady and the 155th Infant Mystics (IM) Leading Lady, representing her grandfather and father who have been members of both societies for many years.
Being selected as MCA Queen and as a Leading Lady, means Cooper will be following in the footsteps of many generations of her family. Cooper’s Mardi Gras lineage dates back to 1936, when her great-grandmother served as Lady in Waiting. Cooper’s grandfather, David J. Cooper reigned as MCA King Felix in 1971. Additionally, her aunt, Margaret Cooper Biggs was Queen in 1998, her uncle, David Cooper Jr., was King in 2004, while both of her parents were in the court of 1990, where her father served as her mother’s knight. Cooper’s brother, Thomas, was Juvenile King in 2014, and her sister, Sadie, served as Juvenile Queen in 2019.
For the Strikers, who ball took place on December 30, 2022, Cooper wore a silver sequined Monique Lhuillier gown her mother scouted on Instagram which she accentuated with her grandmother’s rhinestone earrings and necklace. Additionally, she wore her good friend, Katherine Cane’s, grandmother’s pin from 1908. “Her family gave me the pin as a gift, which is so special to me!” Cooper says.
As Leading Lady of the IM’s, Cooper is excited to carry on the tradition started by her mother, her aunt, and both of her cousins—all of whom lead the ball their court year! The IM ball is set to take place on Monday, February 20th, the day before Ft Tuesday and is a celebration many look forward to all Carnival season. For the ball, Cooper will be wearing a Vera Wang gown featuring a middle cutout and a bow on the back. Like a true Queen, Cooper is finishing the look with a Vera Wang crown.
Cooper is currently a senior at the University of Alabama where she studies Finance with a concentration in Value Investing. She is very involved in her sorority, Kappa Delta and is in the Honors College. She has been on the Dean’s List and President’s Lists. “I absolutely love my school and everyone I have met in the past four years. I can’t believe that I am already a senior,” says Cooper. She will graduate in May of this year and upon graduation she hopes to travel a bit before settling down at a job in a new city.
Gown & Hair Accessories Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029. Earrings, Call For Price; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.
Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association Queen Richlyn Sydney Pugh
Mobile area native and graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Lady Richlyn Sydney Pugh is thrilled to be serving on the court of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association as the 2023 Queen. Richlyn is the daughter of Mr. Richard Pugh and Mr. Raymond and Mrs. Frances Johnson, and the first of her family to have been chosen for such a prestigious honor. “This really is a privilege. Not only for me, but for my family,” says Richlyn. “It is a very humbling honor, and, in a way, I feel as though I have opened the door for others who may be the first-generation. I have blazed a trail for someone to accomplish something grand without the perfect blueprint.”
Considering herself a renaissance woman, Richlyn’s reign is coined “A Renaissance Reign,” and it is just that. This overall theme has inspired the various outfits she will wear throughout the entire Carnival season. “I drew inspiration for my coronation regalia from Coco Chanel’s quote, ‘Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.’ This is evident in my choice of whites, golds, and silvers throughout my attire,” Richlyn explains. Richlyn’s 16x8 ft. train is show stopping. With its base layer of white satin overlaid with a layer of seed bead studded lace, ostrich feathers, gold bullion ribbon imported from India, and fur encrusted with antique broaches and Swarovski crystals, designed by Johnny Weaver and the staff of Royal Clothiers, Richlyn’s train is truly one of a kind. For Richlyn’s Queen’s Luncheon, an event where the ladies of the court don some of their finest frocks, Richlyn will be wearing a white Isabel Sanchis Carapelle long sleeve dress featuring a high neckline, fitted bodice, and accentuated with rosette detailing.
For the ladies of the court, there is a seemingly endless social calendar of balls, events, and parades throughout the Mardi Gras season—all of which Richlyn is excited to attend. But, one of the events Richlyn is looking forward to the most is the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association’s Magazine Release. “It is a regal event where we are officially revealed to our loved ones and to the City of Mobile,” Richlyn tells us. “It is the official start of the Mardi Gras season for us. My aunt designed and custom-made my dress, which is a tribute to MAMGA’s 85 years of history. It features newspaper articles, magazine clippings, and tales of past royal courts. It is truly a heartfelt-masterpiece that will transcend time.”
Richlyn is currently attending nursing school, where she is working to obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She hopes to become a Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner or a Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner with a specialization in Oncology. When she is not studying or attending school, you can find Richlyn reading, dancing, or spending time with her loved ones. She says she credits a lot of her success as an adult to her late grandparents who are “watching over their Queen from above.”
Gown & Hair Accessory Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029. Earrings Provided By Bliss Bridal, 251.990.3244.
Santa Claus Society Lady Margaret DeMouy Slaton
Funny, stylish, and meticulous are three words friends would use to describe the 136th Leading Lady of the Santa Claus Society (SCS), Lady Margaret DeMouy Slaton. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bailey Slaton, Jr., Margaret is currently a senior at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where she studies Elementary Education.
Margaret’s own Mardi Gras lineage dates back to the 1970s when her father served as Page to her great uncle, William Gale DeMouy, Jr., who served as MCA King. In fact, Margaret comes from a long list of MCA royals. Her uncle, William DeMouy Slaton served as MCA King in 2000, her aunt, Kathryn Anne Slaton, reigned as Juvenile Queen in 1981, and MCA Queen in 1989. Her sister, Susan Elizabeth Slaton, was selected as Juvenile Queen in 2012, and served as Lady in Waiting in 2020 to Queen Seline Vaughan Morrissette and Sumner Greer Adams, Jr.
As SCS Leading Lady, Margaret will be following in two of her family member’s footsteps. Her aunt, Kathryn Anne Slaton was selected in 1988, and her cousin, Marion McAllister Slaton, was selected in 2019. So, it is safe to say being chosen as this year’s Leading Lady is truly special for Margaret.
Margaret’s inaugural event as Leading Lady took place the night before the Camellia Ball in November of last year, where the SCS committee members formally asked her to lead their ball. Santa Claus presented her with the framed scroll, and even treated guests to a southern “snow!” “it was such a fun way to kick off the season,” recalls Margaret. “Invitations were designed by Gwin’s Stationary, the catering was by Bay Gourmet, flowers by Dennis Harris, and the lighting and snow were made possible by Joel Snider from Willow Bridge.”
The SCS ball is atypical from most other Mardi Gras organizations as their ball takes place months prior to the regular Carnival season. As the members don Santa suits, it only makes sense that the ball takes place amongst the festive holiday season. This year’s ball took place on December 16th, 2022, and was a grand occasion made even more special as twenty-four of Margaret’s Ole Miss friends were able to attend. “They really enjoyed their first taste of Mobile Mardi Gras!” she says.
Margaret was a vision in an ivory Isabel Sanchis gown with leather petals over the bodice, featuring a sleek A-line skirt with pockets, and paired with custom white gloves with feather detailing. Holly Walton from Debra’s was a tremendous help in choosing Margaret’s Leading Lady attire while Christal Hall of Seams to Fit customized the dress. “Ron Barrett designed the beautiful bouquet I carried and the flower piece that adorned my hair. It was the perfect touch,” Margaret gushes.
At Ole Miss, Margaret is active in her sorority, Chi Omega, and loves working part-time as a sales associate for a store in Downtown Oxford called Cicada. She will graduate in May of this year, and is looking forward to life post-grad!
Earrings, Call For Price; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.
Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association First Lady in Waiting Kennedy Pia Bernard
The daughter of Kwonbie and Tamechia Bernard, Lady Kennedy Bernard comes from a long line of Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA) royals dating back from 1946 when her great great aunt, Mary I Wilson, served as First Lady in Waiting. Subsequently, various members of her family have served a variety of royal roles including Knights, Pages, Crown Bearers, Proclamation Bearers, Equerries, Kings, and Queens. “This honor means the world to me because I am continuing a legacy that started over 76 years ago,” Kennedy muses.
As a member of the MAMGA royal court, Kennedy has spent many months planning, designing, and shopping for her royal wardrobe. Kennedy’s train was designed by the talented Johnny Weaver and boasts a design that was inspired by the Rod ironwork you can find throughout the city of Mobile. If you look closely, you will find a sentimental tribute to one of her late family members, and the original creator of their train, Brenadine Jordan. To compliment her train, her coronation gown is handmade to replicate the intricate work of her train. In fact, all of her ball gowns are custom from Chic & Holland and hand-beaded from artists in India. “I am so grateful for Mr. Johnny Weaver and his team at Royal Clothiers in Mobile for their work on designing and coordinating my royal attire,” Kennedy fondly says.
Kennedy attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she obtained her bachelors degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She was involved in both the Atlanta Club and Black Women in Medicine. Upon graduating in April of 2022, she began her career working as a Pharmacy Technician. She is looking forward to spending this Carnival season developing lifelong memories with her fellow royals that will be shared with their future generations.
Gown Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029. Headband, Call For Price; Dillard’s, 251.471.1551.
Order of Myths Lady Katherine Cane
A student at The University of Alabama, Lady Katherine Cane is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Grey Cane III and is serving as the 156th Leading Lady for the Order of Myths (OOM’s) following in her mother’s footsteps. For Katherine, Mardi Gras has long been a family affair, dating back to her great grandmothers, Edna Manning Courtney and Gene Dumas Vickers, who both served as ladies in their respective courts. Additionally, Katherine’s maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Vickers Courtney, was First Lady in Waiting to Queen Monica Damrich while her maternal grandfather, Joseph Manning Courtney, served as a Knight in the court of King J. Roy Albright and Queen Alletta Lyons. Her mother, Mary Courtney Cane, was Lady in Waiting to Queen Louise Brock in 1985, and served as the OOMs Leading Lady that same year. Lastly, Katherine’s brother, Peter Grey Cane IV, served as Page to Queen Hill Luscher, was an escort in the Juvenile Court in 2013, and served as a Knight in the 2022 MCA Court. Naturally. Katherine is thrilled to participate in her family’s long-standing traditions this Carnival season.
Katherine first found out she had been selected to lead the OOM’s while she was making the journey home from a summer spent in Dallas. “I was driving the 10 hours home because I had just moved out when I got a call from my dad,” Katherine recalls. “He told me that he had really good news, but I thought he meant I was getting a new car! He asked me if I would like to lead the OOM’s this year, and I immediately started sobbing—I couldn’t answer him because I was so excited! We then added my mom to the phone call and my dad told her the news. She started crying as well because she had led the OOM’s during her Carnival season.”
The OOM’s Sunday Party is always a highly anticipated event, taking place the Sunday before Fat Tuesday. OOM members, their family and friends, the Leading Lady and her fellow Court members, don their finest daytime frocks and celebrate the Carnival Season in Downtown Mobile with delicious food and festive drinks. For the event, Katherine plans to wear a custom Isabel Sanchis dress from Debra’s. “Natalie and Holly at Debra’s have helped me immensely throughout this entire process. They are so kind and good at what they do. I have really loved working with them,” shares Katherine. To compliment her custom dress, Katherine will be wearing a special piece her mother received when she was Leading Lady in 1985.
Outside of the Carnival season, Katherine is in her final year at The University of Alabama where she majors in Public Relations with a minor in Communication Studies. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, where she has served as the alumni coordinator, the ritual and history director, and the pledge class president. She will graduate in May of this year. She plans to return to Dallas to pursue real estate. “I lived in Dallas this past summer and fell in love. I can’t wait to go back!”
Gown Provided by Over The Moon Bridal, 251.459.0871. Earrings, Call For Price; CK Collection, 251.990.9001. Headband Provided By Bliss Bridal, 251.990.3244.
Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association Second Lady in Waiting Taylor Lakell Nicks
A graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Lady Taylor Nicks is the daughter of Dr. Myrick Nicks and Attorney Shantrell Nicks, and will serve as this year’s Second Lady in Waiting to the MAMGA Queen.
Taylor’s mother first broke the news to Taylor that she would be serving in the 2023 Royal Court while Taylor was away at college. “I was thrilled! I am honored to be a part of the court because I was chosen to represent my community as well as uphold the values and traditions of Mardi Gras. I am excited to serve, and I am so grateful to be chosen as a second lady,” Taylor gratefully shares.
Taylor’s family has long loved the traditions surrounding the season of Mardi Gras, from sipping on hot chocolate during the Downtown parades, to engaging in a friendly competition with her siblings to see who could catch the most. Laughing, Taylor recalls, “one year the competition got so intense my brothers and I ended up grounded for the rest of Mardi Gras break!” Another Mardi Gras tradition is serving in the Court, something Taylor is excited to partake in this year. “My brother, Mason Nicks, was the Prichard Carnival Association King, and my cousin, Jalea Adams served as MAMGA First Lady in Waiting.”
One of the biggest events for the royal court is of course their coronation. And for the big event Taylor will be wearing an off-white ball gown, featuring an asymmetrical neckline, Swarovski crystals and lace along one side, while the other is made of 3D silk ruffle organza flower petals intertwined with clear Swarovski crystals. Her train, designed by Patricia Halsell-Richardson, is made of crystal rhinestones, off-white and champagne 3D flowers, with a three part floral 3D swag and flower basket.
For the rest of her royal wardrobe, Taylor enlisted the help of her glam and wardrobe team: Ace Productions and The Lux Firm. The team found an Atlanta based designer to create gowns for each of the season’s balls. “We imported fabrics from Dubai and picked from the designer’s sketches to customize the gowns,” Taylor tells us. “Ace Productions and The Lux Firm also coordinated hair, makeup, and accessories to compliment the dress. I want to thank Mrs. Pat from Patricia Ann’s Regal Regalia for designing and customizing my train and other attire for all Mardi Gras events.”
Taylor currently attends Rollins College where she majors in Social Entrepreneurship and minors in Ethics. She serves as VP of Finance and Records on the Panhellenic Council, is Director of Alumni Engagement for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and works as an Administrative Assistant for Mirena & Co., a legal consulting firm based in Orlando. She will graduate in May of 2024 and plans to attend law school upon graduating.
Gown Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029.
Order of Dragons Lady Mary Appleton Weston
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Fuller Weston, Jr., Lady Mary Appleton, has been chosen as the 135th Leading Lady for the Order of Dragons Annual Ball, which will take place on February 3rd of this year. Serving as Leading Lady for The Order of Dragons is an honor Mary Appleton is excited to fulfill as her father has been a member of the organization for quite some time, serving as the Design Committee Chariman for the 125th Anniversary Ball and later President of the organization.
Mary Appleton first learned of her selection to serve as Leading Lady back in August of last year. Her entire family went to one of Mary Appleton’s favorite restaurants, NOJA, to celebrate her return from working in Hawaii for the summer. “My Mom and Dad had a present for me, a welcome home present so I thought. When I opened it, it was a Dragon Ornament my Dad had received for being the Design Committee Chair of the 125th Ball. It took me a second or two to realize the significance, but once I did I was ecstatic!”
For her ball’s wardrobe, Mary Appleton worked closely with Celeste Thomas who styled her in a custom white silk Mikado gown by John Paul Ataker, which she purchased from Debra’s. She will be wearing custom jewelry from Knot Just Beads designed by her family friend, Eileen Schwarz as well as some pieces from her mother’s personal jewelry collection. Perhaps most special is a piece from her great grandmother, an engraved Order of Dragons bracelet her great grandmother received from her husband in 1962.
Mary Appleton is the oldest of three, with two younger brothers, Fuller and Harrigan. She has so many memories growing up with them, most especially from Mardi Gras throughout the years. “My favorite memory of Mardi Gras was when I was 9 years old and the MOMs parade rode on my birthday,” she recalls. “My mom threw me a huge stuffed animal!”
Mary Appleton is currently a senior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Psychology. She has been a Dean’s list student for all four years, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and loves playing on several college intramural sports teams. She will graduate in May of this year and plans to attend law school.
Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association Second Lady in Waiting Makayla Elise Miles
The daughter of Anthoney and Rosalyn Moore, Lady Makayla Miles will serve as this year’s Second Lady in Waiting in the MAMGA Royal court, an honor Makayla says is truly humbling. “I get to represent a prestigious organization during the best time of the year,” she says. “Becoming Second Lady gives me more drive and the opportunity to be my best self.”
Serving as a Lady this year will not be Makayla’s first time as a Royal. In fact, Makayla served as the Prichard Mardi Gras Association (PMGA) Junior Queen in 2020. “Serving as PMGA Junior Queen was one of my favorite memories,” Makayla recalls. “I had my brother and cousins by my side as members of the court. Seeing how proud we served as a family unit was a great moment for me. It really brought us closer together.”
For her MAMGA coronation, Makayla will be wearing a gown purchased from Jovi’s Bridal here in Mobile. Her train and mantle were custom designed by Patricia Richardson. In addition, Makayla will be wearing jewelry from her reign as PMGA Juvenile Queen. “Those special pieces of jewelry give me a royal nostalgic feeling and I am honored to display them because it shows I know the qualities of a true Queen.”
Makayla is a student at Alabama A&M University. She studies Animal Biology Health Sciene. During her time at A&M, she was selected to be on the royal court reigning as Miss Freshman 2020-21, and reigning Miss Sophomore 2021-22. She is a member of the Pre-Vet Club, is a member of Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity, and is a member of the Students Activities Board, serving as Miss Collegiate 100 for the academic school year. She will graduate in May of 2024. After graduating, Makayla plans to attend veterinary school at Texas A&M or Tuskegee University to achieve her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine with a specialization in pathology or public health.
She is looking forward to the Carnival season, embracing everyone’s culture, and enjoying the energy as everyone comes together to celebrate the season.
Gown Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029.
Athelstan Club Domino Ball Double Rush Lady Lillian-Louise Marie Rathle
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andre Gerard Rathle, Lady Lillian-Louise Rathle, or Lilly as her friends call her, will serve as the Leading Lady of the The Athelstan Club's 149th Domino Ball, which takes place on January 21st in the clubs rooms.
The Athelstan Club has long been a family tradition for Lilly. “My father, Andre Rathle, has been a member of the Athelstan Club for over 30 years. He is currently the President of the Board of Governors of the Athelstan Club, which he has served on for over 13 years. The Athelstan Club has always been a very special place for me,” she shares. “My earliest memories of Mobile Mardi Gras are watching the parades from both the reviewing stands and balconies of the Athelstan Club, as well as spending post-parade time in the rooms. The Athelstan Club is Ground Zero for Mobile Mardi Gras.”
Not only does Lilly have a long history with The Athelstan Club, but her family also shares a long lineage of Mardi Gras royalty. Lilly served as a maiden of the 2015 Juvenile Court, while Lilly’s brother, Henri Alan Rathle, served as a Knight of the Juvenile Court in 2018. Additionally, her cousin, Blaize Naman, served as a Knight of the MCA Court in 2019 while two more of her cousins, Olivia Grace Rathle and Mathilde Elizabeth Naman, were ladies of the court in 2022.
To announce her selection of 149th Leading Lady of the Domino Ball, a scroll party was held at The Country Club of Mobile where Lilly was formally asked by the Athelstan Club Board of Governors and the Domino Ball Committee by the presentation of a formal scroll. “It was ceremony steeped in 149 years of ritual and tradition. It was so amazing and a night that I will never forget. The night also coincided with my 22nd birthday which made it even more memorable,” she recalls.
The Domino Ball has long been known as a costume party for the Ladies of the Court as each Debutante comes in a costume of their “suppressed desire,” and each costume is kept closely under wraps until the night of the ball. So, we can’t tell you exactly what Lilly will be donning for her special night. What we do know is that her costume is being designed and made by the uber-talented Jessica Price right here in Mobile.
Lilly is currently a student at The University of Alabama where she majors in Public Relations and minors in Communications. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority. She will graduate in May of this year and plans to move to New Orleans to work for a Public Relations firm.
Gown Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029. Earrings, Provided by Over The Moon Bridal, 251.459.0871.
Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association Lady Chelsea Shamier Tate
Genuine, passionate, and nurturing are three words friends would use to describe Lady Chelsea Tate, the daughter of Corey Tate and Angela Rich-Tate, and a 2012 graduate of S.S. Murphy High School. Chelsea has loved everything about Mardi Gras since moving to Mobile at the tender age of five. Chelsea’s family loves celebrating the Carnival season, having enjoyed watching the parades as they roll through the streets of Downtown Mobile. However, her favorite is the parade that routes down MLK Avenue.
Chelsea shares, “My entire family gathers at my Great Aunt Kathleen’s house, which is located on Marshall Street. The family generally arrive by 10:00 A.M. to make certain that we have favorable parking. Towards the 2:00 P.M. hour we begin to make our way to MLK to secure a spot near the barricades for enjoyment of the festivities. One fond memory I have is walking with my big cousin Joe Joe from MLK to Springhill Avenue to watch the entire parade again from the beginning.”
Although she has enjoyed Mardi Gras with family since she was a little girl, Chelsea is thrilled to be experiencing this year’s season through the eyes of royalty. “Being able to be a part of such rich history means a lot to me,” Chelsea tells us. “I am finally able to stamp my name in the lineage of MAMGA royalty during this momentous 85th year anniversary. It feels great to be a part of the royal family and fully immerse myself in the culture!”
Not only is Chelsea honored to be partaking in such a prestigious occasion, but she is thrilled to be following in both her sister’s and cousin’s royal footsteps. Chelsea’s cousin, Tara Wells-Rhodes served as a Lady in the 2003 MAMGA Royal Court, while her sister, Carmen Samone Tate served as First Lady in Waiting in the 2018 MAMGA Junior Court.
Chelsea has enjoyed preparing for her reign, especially when it comes to shopping for her royal wardrobe. “It has been exciting to play dress up, trying on various ball gowns and suits, searching for the perfect attire befitting of my personality and style,” shares Chelsea. “I was able to find my perfect attire at Putting on the Ritz, I Do Bridal and Bridesmaids a store located in Biloxi, MS.” For her train, Chelsea entrusted the talented Patricia Halsell-Richardson, and we are certain the final product will be breathtaking.
Chelsea received a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2016 from Xavier University in New Orleans and a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences in 2018 from Mississippi College. For the past four years, she has served as an educator at Mattie T. Blount High School. Chelsea is overjoyed and excited to kick off the Carnival Season!
Gown Provided By I Do Bridal & Formal, 251.206.6029. Headband Provided By Bliss Bridal, 251.990.3244.
Knights of Revelry Lady Elizabeth Adele Gustin
The daughter of Robert Allan Gustin, Jr. and Christina “Christy” Wilby Tynes Gustin, Lady Elizabeth Adele Gustin has been chosen as this year’s Leading Lady for the 149th Knights of Revelry (KOR) celebration—an honor that Elizabeth says is made even more special in sharing in it with her dad.
For Elizabeth, some of her most favorite Mardi Gras memories stem from her time spent amongst the KOR float barn. “As a child, going to the Sunday Float Barn party has been a great memory getting on my dad’s float and seeing the brilliant royal blue and silver colors on the iconic Emblem float with champagne glass,” Elizabeth recalls. “Later, I would bring my sorority sisters down for the weekend to the barn party. The daytime parade on Fat Tuesday is a great finale to the entire Carnival season for my family. To have this honor to get to be the Leading Lady and to get to ride in the parade with my dad is so special to me and I am beyond grateful. For both my father and my mother, this group is like a family, although it’s my father who is the member. It’s a mystic society that has stayed together intact for 149 years when so many didn’t make it.”
Being chosen to serve as Leading Lady came at a complete shock to Elizabeth one night at the Athelstan Club in May of 2022. “It was the week of my birthday in May and my parents wanted to surprise me with the news. I had invited some of my sorority friends to go with me to the beach the next day, but my parents suggested we all go to have drinks at the Athelstan Club that night for the monthly Art Walk night,” Elizabeth fondly recalls. “Folly, the emblem of KOR, appeared suddenly out of nowhere and asked me to be the 149th Leading Lady. I was so shocked, completely surprised because it’s only May, and, of course, said yes! I had thought there were just a lot of people at the club that night, but it was all the members of that committee and good friends of my parents who were actually there.”
KOR typically kicks off their Carnival Season with their Christmas Revel, which took place on December 10th 2022. It is during this celebration that Elizabeth is presented by her father to the KOR members, their families, and the MCA Court. For this festive event, Elizabeth wore a white satin mermaid style dress with an origami style bow with a long row of covered buttons accenting the back created with the help of Christal Hall. Elizabeth finished the look with a pearl necklace with a bow clasp that her mother gifted her in honor of being the 149th Leading Lady.
Her reign as Leading Lady is far from over, Elizabeth will finish out this Carnival season with a ride through Downtown Mobile on a float during the KOR parade on Fat Tuesday, which finishes with a party at the Civic Center.
Elizabeth is currently a student at The University of Alabama where she studies Business Management, Management Communications, and specializes in Healthcare Data Analytics. She is member of Chi Omega where she served as Sisterhood Support Team Leader and Secretary’s Assistant. She also serves as Healthcare Analytics Society Secretary. She will graduate in May of this year, and upon graduation she plans to obtain her Masters degree in Healthcare Leadership, and hopefully will return to the Gulf Coast to work in administration in a local hospital.
