Harvesters get fashionable for food
B.W. COOK
The 11th anniversary fashion show and luncheon produced by the
Harvesters in support of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange
County raised more than $300,000 to help end hunger in the community.
For more than a decade, the Harvesters, a group of 50 Newport-Mesa
women, has raised more than $2.5 million to feed those in need. This
year’s effort brought together some 500 local men and women at the
Four Seasons Hotel, Newport Beach for an all-day event that began
with a massive silent auction and mid-morning champagne reception
sponsored by Cartier, continued with an extravagant fashion show
presentation produced by South Coast Plaza, and concluded with a very
chic luncheon in the Palm Garden of the hotel.
The Harvester’s day was chaired by the dynamic blond Carmela
Phillips, wife of Newport car dealer Malcolm Phillips. Harvester’s
founders Jill Johnson-Tucker and Jennifer Van Bergh were on hand to
great the crowd and thank them for their generous support.
Johnson-Tucker and Van Bergh, who addressed the audience just
before the fashion show, are gifted speakers. Their words of personal
appreciation met with tremendous applause from the very full house of
well-dressed women.
Among the exceptionally glamorous women in the crowd were interior
designer Allison Olmstead, Robin McMonigle, Kristina Grace, Debbie
Sclafani and Jennifer Segerstrom. Also spotted in the crowd were
Teddie Ray, Ann Smyth, Wendy Enkema, Caroline Davenport, Molly
Calder, Christine Anderson and Michele Roth.
Harvesters deserving tremendous kudos include underwriting chair
Ann Moorhead and silent auction co-chairs Paige Kunkle and Cary
Lobel.
The South Coast Plaza fashion show was held in a massive tent
erected on the Four Seasons’ property. The presentation was filled
with high energy and was stylish without being over-the-top. Many of
the very well-dressed women in attendance commented that the lineup
of garments was not only artistic but very desirable.
The South Coast Plaza show included designs by Celine, Donna
Karen, Armani, Gucci, MaxMara, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, and Yves
Saint Laurent. The Donna Karen line was particularly flattering,
featuring figure-fitting garments with exposed backs and longer
skirts with ruffled hemlines. Roberto Cavalli presented exceptional
original garments including one incredible standout, which was a
formal gown that was nothing short of a human version of a peacock in
full glory.
The respected and admired Debra Gunn Downing represented South
Coast Plaza at the affair, holding court with countless women who
came over to thank her for supporting the Harvesters. With Gunn
Downing was the talented Kathryn Glassmyer, also representing South
Coast Plaza and responsible for the most successful fashion
presentation.
The assembly left the fashion tent and traveled to the Palm Garden
across the Four Seasons’ property for what was certainly one of the
most elegant luncheons of the fall social season. The setting was
nothing less than a tropical splendor, magnificently appointed by
ballroom chairs Cheri Skellern and Jeri McKenna.
Cartier’s Caroline Jones was on hand to supervise the Cartier
models who showed off glamorous jewelry while patrons lunched on
seared halibut, glass noodles with scallions, and baby bok choy. For
dessert, a delicious pineapple upside-down cake made even the most
calorie-conscious put fork to plate.
Major underwriting for the event came from the generosity of Helen
and Bill Close and Paul and Lilly Merage. Additional underwriting
came from a cross-section of community support.
It is hard to believe that the Orange County Food Bank must serve
nearly one quarter of a million members of the community each and
every month. This nonprofit organization collects food from grocery
stores, restaurants, and manufacturers and distributes the food to
more than 380 charitable organizations dedicated to feeding the
hungry throughout the county. Funds raised by the Harvesters supports
this work, day in and day out, 365 days a year.
Sadly, while support for the Harvesters grows among those that are
well fed, the need for help grows exponentially. Despite the dramatic
dichotomy that exists between those who have and those who need, the
Harvesters exhibit a sincere desire to make a difference.
Unfortunately, for those who go to bed hungry, it is hard to
imagine a world of abundance and opportunity. Without the Harvesters
financial help, many Orange County people would be without food and
totally without hope for a better tomorrow.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
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