Luciana Elizabeth Bertucci of Gulfport reigned as Queen of Hermes in NOLA
Luciana Elizabeth Bertucci, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Philip Bertucci of Gulfport, was this year's queen of the Krewe of Hermes in New Orleans.
She was introduced, escorted by her father, during the annual ball on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Hilton Riverside Grand Ballroom in New Orleans.
Shakespeare's "The Tempest" was the theme of this year's Krewe of Hermes uptown festivities.
She wore an original luminous gold gown designed by Suzanne St. Paul of New Orleans, and the gown was inspired by the queen's love of her violin. The sculpted V front neckline of the fitted satin bodice layered with beaded metallic tulle and lace continued into a plunging back.
A voluminous high-low overskirt of translucent silk satin-faced organza was layered with metallic lace and netting encrusted with Swarovski crystals, metallic beads and sequins in a custom violin inspired design.
The motif continued in the trumpet-shaped underskirt hemmed with scalloped border lace. At the neckline was the organization's Medici collar of heavily beaded gold lace covered with crystals, gold bugles and Swarovski margarita flowers.
Moans Couture of New York custom designed her crystal earrings and matching necklace to follow the gown's neckline and complement the décolletage. The Queen's own crown and scepter along with the organization's white ermine-trimmed mantle completed the ensemble.
Throughout the week, Luciana Elizabeth Bertucci enjoyed a host of parties and functions in her honor. Champagne and desserts were served on Monday evening at LaTrobe's on Royal where her reign was formally announced to special guests.
She was given a bouquet of flowers, Queen's flag, a bronze plaque and her official proclamation framed by deVille Framing of New Orleans.
Formal portraits and lunch on Audubon Place were highlighted by gifts from The Captain and King Hermes LXXVII on Tuesday. Two personalized Zulu coconuts were presented to the Queen by Mr. and Mrs. George Lafargue.
On Wednesday afternoon, high tea was served at the Windsor Court Hotel, where Luciana Elizabeth Bertucci entertained the women of her Court and presented them with gifts.
A champagne reception for all guests was held preceding the Ball on Thursday evening. Ball invitations and programs were designed by Manuel Ponce. Following the Ball, the Queen's Supper was attended by over 1,000 guests who enjoyed both dinner and dancing until the wee hours of the morning.
The Queen held her formal luncheon in the Courtyard at Hotel Mazarin before the French Quarter walking parade. The Queen and King looked radiant riding through the Quarter in their white carriage followed by over 700 members of the Krewe and a host of the Queen's sorority sisters.
Prior to the Hermes parade on Friday evening, the Queen enjoyed a reception at the Inter-Continental Hotel before joining her guests in her luxury reviewing stand to toast her monarch as his float paused in front of her stand, and he presented her with a bouquet of pink and white roses.
Luciana Elizabeth Bertucci is a 2013 High Honors graduate of Gulfport High School and is presently a junior at the The University of Mississippi, where she is both a Bledsoe and Provost Scholar, a member of the Chancellor's Honor Roll and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She is additionally a principal violinist with The University of Mississippi Orchestra. She is majoring in mechanical engineering and studies within the CME Program.
This story was originally published March 12, 2016 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Luciana Elizabeth Bertucci of Gulfport reigned as Queen of Hermes in NOLA ."