Mixologists Mix It Up; Wisdom Couture Reigns

The bustle that once inhabited the 1907 Greek Revival building at 45 Church St. thundered back to life Friday night with a sold-out Design On9 First Friday event — a double bill featuring a ​“Signature Cocktails” competition and ​“Spring Runway Show” sponsored by the Town Green Special Services District of New Haven and CTDrinks.

For the moment, a runway that would soon come alive with the 2014 spring couture collection of Ninth Square fashion designer Neville Wisdom was a long bare strip of carpet bounded by rows of empty chairs. Music by the deejay known as Hu Man had already begun filling the soaring space with sound, a heavy beat rising to meet the classical grandeur of the vaulted ceiling above.

Behind what was once a stretched-out bank tellers’ counter stood some of New Haven’s most creative mixologists preparing to face off with a thirsty crowd, and with one another, shaking …

… and pouring for bragging rights, a trophy (of course), and a $100 New Haven Shop Dine Park card.

A special video presentation created by CTDRINKS.com, a new website devoted to good drink, allowed the public to vote for the ​“Peoples’ Choice Award” featuring the competitors as they created their signature concoctions. Drink recipes were shown with each respective video, testament to the creativity of the mixologists. Some of the businesses and drinks represented were 116 Crown Street’s ​“Crescent Clove,” Bentara’s ​“Lychee Martini,” Forno101’s ​“Green Orchard Martini,” Thali’s ​“Faithfully Ginger,” The Owl Shop’s ​“The Old New Haven,” and 9th Note’s ​“Lady Marmalade.”

A temporary food court with sandwich offerings from John Ginnetti, owner of 116 Crown Street and adjacent meat & Co., were toasted to perfection, while Inspired Turkey, a 9th Square catering upstart, tantalized with samplings of their signature pressure fried turkey.

As the crowd at 45 Church St. grew more dense, a palpable air of excitement filled the room. But if Neville Wisdom was at all nervous about the impending big reveal, he didn’t betray it. The laid-back designer took his time greeting guests and friends and was happy to talk about an exciting new business plan in the works.

Neville said he has been working with the city to open his own manufacturing plant in New Haven, and has been scouting an 11,000- square foot location on Nicoll Street. The business will employ five people in the first year of operations alone, he said. The state-of-the-art company will feature a high degree of automation, designed to help to reduce costs and fill gaps in the skill base that is difficult to find in the 21st Century. Some worker training opportunities will also be in the offing through collaborations with local educational programs.

Lauren Sprague, Neville’s assistant manager at Neville Wisdom’s Fashion Design Studio on Orange Street, who was sporting a Neville-designed pleated, denim skirt, said that the 2014 spring collection is emblematic of Neville’s design approach: ​“Classical but with a contemporary twist.” Sprague noted that Neville likes to work with and respects traditional lines, adding his signature ​“intricate flair” in a fashion approach that led someone to question whether there ​“isn’t an 80-year-old man stuck in him.”

Helping to inspire the runway collection of 20 ​“looks” was the bank venue itself: ​“When I designed the collection I looked to incorporate the bank theme. We always find inspiration for our shows,” said Neville.

Neville also noted the ongoing progress of On9 events: ​“We’ve done events where we’ve shut down the street and had over 500 people attend. Part of the reason we are creating this vibrancy is to help businesses in the ninth square and to help New Haven in general.” That sentiment was echoed by Chris Ortwein, business center manager for the Town Green Special Services District, who had the original idea to combine the fashion show with a mixologists’ competition: ​“The 300 tickets sold, covered the cost of this event. The On9 series is designed to create awareness of the Ninth Square as a place to come, as a destination.” Ortwein said she hopes the event will also help draw attention to the former bank property which is currently on the market.

Immediately after the runway show, the four judge panel rendered its difficult decision in the mixologist face-off.

Thali, an Indian restaurant at 4 Orange Street, and its ​“Faithfully Ginger” cocktail by Avinash, took home the trophy. The Owl Shop, one of New Haven’s veteran establishments, ran away with the ​“People’s Choice” competition.

Winfield Davis, executive director of the Town Green Special Services District, said that many more exciting events are slated in the coming weeks and months. Check the On9 New Haven websitefor updates.