Raquel Welch sizzles up South Coast Plaza

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- At 60 years old, Raquel Welch still easily draws a

crowd.

Fans of varying ages lined up around the handbags and accessories at

Nordstrom in South Coast Plaza on Saturday to see the actress and sex

symbol.

Welch signed autographs and talked to fans to promote her line of wigs

and hair extensions, the Raquel Welch Signature Collection, which is

beginning its third season.

Welch said she started the line because she wore a wig herself, as do

many actors and models.

“A lot of people don’t realize we’re all sort of cheating a little

bit,” she said. “Others do realize it, but don’t know where to go to get

wigs themselves.”

The promotion was a success, Welch said.

“We had a lot of very good sales this morning,” she said, smiling.

“And it’s very nice to meet all the people. Everybody’s so nice. Some

people are here to see the wigs but a lot of people are here to see me,

so that’s fun. Today, a lot of people want ‘Happy Mother’s Day’

inscriptions.”

Some fans drove for more than an hour to meet Welch, who is currently

working on two new movies, “Legally Blonde” and “Tortilla Soup,” and a

PBS series, “American Family.”

“She’s a stunning woman,” said Billie Reilly, a La Habra resident.

“She’s been funny on TV, too, such as on Seinfeld. She’s a good serious

actress and a good comedian.”

Ron Drinnenberg, a Lake Forest resident whose favorite Welch movie is

“Kansas City Bomber,” said he has been a fan for about 30 years.

“I’ve always dreamt about the opportunity to meet her and now my dream

is about to come true,” he said. “Her sex appeal, the way she presents

herself -- she’s a lady in every sense of the word.”

Rhonda Cohen, a Yorba Linda resident, said she was struck by Welch’s

good looks.

“She’s so beautiful, how can you not stop and take a look?” she said.

“And at her age, I mean, she’s gorgeous. It’s every woman’s dream to be

Raquel Welch.”

Jose Aqueveque, a Corona Del Mar resident, said that he appreciates

the good times his family had watching her movies.

“We like everything about her,” he said. “She’s pretty and very

talented. There was a time she made us laugh and we had fun. It’s nice to

know she’s still around and that she looks so great.”