Gilded lights of Guild fashion fundraiser

A gathering of friends and a salute to fashion culminated in financial bounty for the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The 11th annual Guilds Fashion Show and luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine was co-chaired by the dynamic duo of Patty Lance and Debra McMurry.

Saks Fifth Avenue at South Coast Plaza, under the charge of Gretchen Pace, produced the runway show, which exhibited the spring and summer lines of designers Chloe, Tuleh, Lida Baday, Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and more.

Following a morning champagne reception and silent auction, patrons were ushered into the Hyatt ballroom for the fashion show. Male and female runway models showed the goods, including a standout by Carolina Herrera ? a sage chiffon dress with a sage chinchilla stole. Also quite beautiful was a Badgley Mischka-designed pink brocade cocktail dress.

Carlos Miele presented an ocean-colored chiffon gown with empire embellishment that was possibly the hit of the show.

Diane Dillon and John Phillips of the Hyatt served a luncheon of filet and breast of chicken, and guild chairs Kay Fukunaga and Gail Daniels thanked the generous crowd.

Saks representative Gretchen Pace took center stage as well, inviting the guild members back to her store for an afternoon of shopping benefiting the performing arts center.

The center’s Michael Halpern charmed the ladies, encouraging more donations for table favors and raffle items. Halpern is the center’s associate vice president of development.

Big sponsors of the event included Kathy and Cliff Fleming, Karen Pelle, Beverly and Bob Sandelman, Harriet and Sandy Sandhu, Kim Smith, Deloris and Norbert St. John, Jay Kunkel, Sally Crockett, Gail and Jim Daniels, Elaine and Gordon Jenkins, Marilyn and Bob McCorkle, Janice and William Steele, Linda and Bob Thaver, and Joanne and Pat Wastal.

Newly appointed center president and chief operating officer Terrence Dwyer was introduced to the crowd, and he emphasized the honor and responsibility of taking over the role of retired chief Jerry Mandel.

“This is a very important and exciting time for the Orange County Performing Arts Center,” Dwyer said. “The center is poised to enter a bold new era. I look forward to the challenge.”