Viewers across the nation got a taste of old-school Brooklyn Tuesday night when a new fashion makeover series focusing on plus-sized clothing shop premiered on TLC.
But at , neighborhood flavor was overflowing as , Lisa and Jim Dolan, celebrated their debut with a private viewing party upstairs.
You want to talk about "big"? The event attracted so many revelers that additional banquet tables and chairs had to be brought out from the back less than an hour into the festivities.
"I'm exhilirated, I don't know what else to say," said Lisa Dolan, who spent most of the evening posing with party-goers in front of a 'step and repeat' banner that had been set up near the bar.
"This room is filled with people who are dear to me, that are coming up to me and telling me I've changed their lives," she said. "There are people here who said they couldn't come who showed up; it's just a wonderful night."
Executive Producer Stacy London, who also co-hosts What Not To Wear on TLC, offered similarly ecstatic sentiments.
"I'm excited and relieved and nervous and tired," said London. "I went to Jim and Lisa two years ago and asked them over cheese and wine how they'd feel if I started a production company to create a show about them. It's taken a lot of work to get to this point but they took to it all very naturally."
"We are so proud of them," agreed Julie Merson, another executive producer on the show. "They are so hilarious and have such great heart and do great work."
Some of the women featured in the inaugural episode of Big Brooklyn Style attended the premiere party, including Preshus Grayson-Lee and Kelly Lukas.
"This experience has been nothing short of life changing for me," said Lukas, who lives in Connecticut. "I'm being very honest. After meeting with Lisa I feel like I could do anything. She brings out the best in everybody."
That talent for putting others at ease—and a knack for charming the camera—are what make Dolan a star, champion friends.
"The biggest thing about Lisa is that she personifies what I believe, which is that fashion should be inclusive not exclusive," said London. "She's leveling the playing field. Style has nothing to do with size. That's what we believe on What Not To Wear and I think that's the message Lisa is able to convey on Big Brooklyn Style."
Check out the gallery to see who hit the red carpet.
