THE CROWD

B.W. Cook

Giorgio Armani held a lavish in-store reception to celebrate the

opening of its boutique at South Coast Plaza. The midweek cocktail party

attracted the bold and the beautiful for a bit of mingling in the very

handsome minimalist design of the store. Created by architect Claudio

Silvestrin, the retail space is both classic and forward, a suitable

surrounding for the tailoring of Armani.

South Coast Plaza managing partner Henry Segerstrom held court with

his wife, Elizabeth. Paul Baldwin, Sandra Segerstrom and her husband John

Daniels, Cerise Feeley, Ann and Mike Howard, Richard Moriarty, Donna and

Ronald Phelps, Patrice Poidmore and Elizabeth and Tom Tierney exchanged

greetings while Armani executives pressed the flesh, presenting an

impressive new store overflowing with merchandise for men and women.

* * *

The Newport Harbor Auxiliary of the Children’s Home Society of

California held its fall tea recently at the Corona del Mar residence of

Andrew and Leslie Cies. The afternoon gathering provided an opportunity

to display debutante gowns dating from 1960 to 2000. A video history of

the Children’s Home Society and its relationship to Newport-Mesa was a

highlight of the presentation.

Karen Taylor, auxiliary president, welcomed the ladies and thanked

Leslie Cies, tea chairwoman, for her hospitality. Lisa Velarde, director

of public policy for the society, addressed the gathering, which included

generous donors Gigi Barto, Donna Mace, Deborah Mullin, Linda Cable,

Betty Clark, Katherine Agnew and Marge Lewis, to name only a few.

Founded in 1891, Children’s Home Society is one of California’s oldest

and largest nonprofit child welfare agencies. The Newport Harbor

Auxiliary contributes to the society through fund-raising projects,

including the debutante ball. The 45th ball will unfold Nov. 29 at The

Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

* * *

L’Opera Ristorante at The Irvine Spectrum hosted a fund-raiser for the

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, attracting more than 400 local

guests. The dinner event was a tribute to the November kick off of

National Diabetes Awareness Month.

Restaurateurs Terry Antonelli, Patrizio Beretla and Enzo De Muro were

gracious benefactors of the evening, welcoming the Newport-Mesa crowd

including Arlene and Paul Beck, Cindy and Bob Borango with son Nicholas,

Dennis Cassan, Jack Crawford, Pam Crook, Jennifer and Eric Eltinge and

Nancy Lynn Olson. Also in the crowd were: Barbara and David Rea,

Christine Smith, Phyllis and Roger Schaefer of Lido Isle, and Stacey

Wilson.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.