At special fashion show, moviegoers relate to ‘Sex and the City’ characters

It had class. It had fashion. It had stilettos.

But most importantly, it had cosmopolitans.

Las Vegas' self-professed cougars mingled with younger versions of Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones for the premiere of "Sex and the City 2" Wednesday evening at Rave Motion Pictures in Town Square.

About 1,800 women clad in stylish dresses, high heels and feathered headbands spent $25 for a package that included a movie ticket, a swag bag, chocolate-covered strawberries and a never-ending stream of cosmos.

In fact, there were so many cosmos -- the show's signature cocktail -- that movie theater workers spent part of the evening scrubbing the pink out of the carpet.

The two late-night showings targeted women in their 30s and 40s -- not exactly the tweens and fanboys who dress up for midnight shows of blockbusters such as "Twilight," "Iron Man" and "Harry Potter."

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, "Sex and the City" became a cultural phenomenon for its iconic fashion and ability to humorously tackle taboo topics with ease.

The TV story focused on four sexually charged, single women in New York City whose personal and professional lives intertwined with wealthy figures and posh restaurants. The show tackled real-life issues such as relationships, sex, marriage, parenting and divorce.

For 40-year-old Sarah Lindsey, the plot line of Charlotte's marital breakup rang true to life, and she was hooked. Four years ago, Lindsey was in the middle of a messy divorce -- and it still sticks with her to this day.

But she said it was Carrie's character who resonated with her. She identified with her emotional antics and ability to muster enough inner strength and courage to get through the most troubling of times.

Carrie "does what we all do when we get into a relationship and we start thinking too damn much," said Lindsey, who had a large pink flower in her hair. "We start second-guessing our guys, and it's just kind of like, 'Wow, I used to be like that.'

"Now I have to work through it. She worked through it. You've got to respect each other and love each other, or it doesn't work."

Kayla Harvey, 19, said she has seen all six seasons of the television show "a million times" and watched the first movie "religiously."

"For me, Charlotte's my favorite," Harvey said of the show's most straight-laced character. "She's got this perfect image of a marriage and kids, and the perfect house. It's something that I want. I just love her."

Between the two showings of the film, the cosmo-infused celebrants watched a fashion show with models dressed in New York and Company gear mimicking the styles of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York-Goldenblatt.

Moviegoers said the production enhanced a common bond of all females regarding friendships and "girl power."

Jody Huebner, 40, and friend Stephanie Westfall, 37, were dressed in black-and-white gowns. With cosmo in hand, Huebner discussed the emotional roller coaster she felt during the movie.

"It makes you appreciate the friends you have," she said. "You can identify with everyone. It was amazing. It was classic and a great time had by all."

Both ladies admitted their favorite character was Kim Cattrall as openly promiscuous Samantha Jones, who spends her time chasing younger men and obsesses over recapturing her youth.

But it's not because that's what they do, Westfall joked.

"She's just so great and hilarious."

Contact Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.