Giving always in fashion for Sophisticates

“How fortunate we are to have a nationally and internationally acclaimed luxury fashion design house right here in Orange County,” said Sarah Corrigan, co-chairwoman of “Timeless Elegance,” an afternoon luncheon and runway fashion show featuring the house of St. John and organized by the group of charitable ladies known as the Sophisticates.

Some 400 elegant women and men came together at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine to benefit the Assessment Treatment Services Center, the recipient of funds raised by the Sophisticates. Corrigan, an Orange County triple threat (bravado, beauty, brains) that joined fellow triple threat Linda Lamitie in producing a most successful party. Net proceeds are expected to exceed $200,000.

Big donors this year included O.C. social standouts Eve Kornyei and Stan Hanson, Donna and John Crean, Julia and George Argyros, Zee Allred, Terry Franks, Willa Dean and General William Lyon, Cindy and John Gates, Dennis Buccola, Kelly and Christopher Gibbs, Mike McNulty and the much loved Nora Hester, to name only a few.

Fabulous florals from Jason Kenneth Designs and complimentary wines from Rich Ohl at Young’s Market added to the festivity. Gift bags were over the top. Filled with donations from some dozen vendors, guests felt like stars at the Academy Awards.

Sophisticates president Marsha Willis was front and center to welcome the crowd, including distinguished sponsors from St. John. St. John Chief Executive Richard Cohen joined Lowell Breving, John Omlor, Ashley Bryan, Tom Junk, Kathy Smolanovich and Jennifer Lee to ensure a first-rate runway show.

The crowd loved the clothes. It’s not often a runway show features garments that everyone in the audience wants. Cohen’s publicity folks announced that St. John has just signed a deal with Angelina Jolie to be the new face of the house.

“Jolie embodies so many qualities of what St. John represents,” Cohen said. “She is strong, independent and dynamic. She’s a mother, actress and philanthropist.”

Jolie’s new role has the added dimension of philanthropy. St. John and Jolie will form an organization to benefit children’s causes.

St. John’s association with the Sophisticates and the Assessment Treatment Services Center was a perfect fit.

“Arrest the problem, not the child” is the center’s motto, and its program is all about providing services that help at-risk kids succeed in school and in life.