THE CROWD

B.W. COOK

The Harvesters are the talk of the town. Young, beautiful and very

busy, this social network of mostly 30-something women puts its

formidable collective skills to excellent use raising funds for the

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Recently, The Harvesters celebrated its ninth annual Harvest Luncheon

and fashion show at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach. It was a smash.

The place was jumpin’.

More than 500 Newport-Mesa men and women turned out dressed to

impress, raising a significant sum exceeding $300,000. Over the past

eight years, since The Harvesters organization was formed by dynamic

Newport women Jennifer Van Borgh and Jill Johnson-Tucker, it has raised

more than $2 million to erase hunger in Orange County.

The fashion show, presented by South Coast Plaza, was staged in an

enormous black-and-white tent erected on the east lawn of the Four

Seasons. Following a late morning reception, which afforded guests a

first peek at silent auction items on display, the crowd was ushered into

the fashion tent and seated on white chairs. Music transformed the

chattering assemblage as all eyes were directed to the stage and the

opening remarks of a most remarkable Billur Wallerich, representing South

Coast Plaza and fronting the show.

The enormous fashion undertaking included a diverse array of fashion

houses from the South Coast Plaza family. On the catwalk were models

showing off clothing from Air de Paris, Bonpoint, Celine, Donna Karan,

Ermenegildo Zegna, Escada, Gucci, LaPerla, Loro Piona, Max Mara, Oilily

and Saks Fifth Avenue.

There was a modicum of wolf whistles for the male model contingent,

although some insiders whispered that it wasn’t called for. The lingerie

of La Perla raised a few eyebrows, and a few libidos as well. Donna Karan

is showing some very elegant clothing for holiday, including a line of

scarf-hemmed dresses that are feminine, flowing and sexy.

The fashion show was followed by a luncheon in the main ballroom of

the hotel with support from the KTLA Charities, a fund of the Robert R.

McCormick Tribune Foundation. It was chaired by the very perky Jeri

McKenna, who professed to the crowd that she had stage fright chairing

last year’s event. However, this year, McKenna boldly proclaimed that it

had been conquered.

Harvester board members and committee chairs deserving kudos for their

dedicated involvement are underwriting co-chairs Ann Moorehead and

Michelle O’Leary-Koll, Carmela Phillips and Cherie Skellern handling

auction duties, Caroline Davenport, Katherine Sanderson, Kathy

Schoenbaum, Judy Steele, Debbie Sclafani and Teddie Ray to name only a

few.

The Four Seasons ballroom was at its most elegant with splendid

centerpieces of abundant fall roses and dahlias created by Chris Lindsay

Productions setting the tone of the affair. Cartier generously provided

sterling silver key rings wrapped in their signature red box as table

favors.

The luncheon was exceptional true to Four Seasons standards. Warm crab

cakes and grilled shrimp served over a bed of baby lettuce and grilled

vegetables satisfied the most discriminating taste. Tables were set with

an array of tempting appetizers including smoked salmon with caviar,

artichoke and Parmesan canape, herb Provencal and sun-dried tomato mousse

as well as petite zucchini spread and several varieties of hummus served

with fresh pita slices and succulent olives. It was a feast for the eyes

and the palate.

Of course the best part of the event was its purpose. Jill

Johnson-Tucker, Harvesters co-founder, reported “The Food Bank helps so

many Orange County charities. By supporting this event, contributors

actually give to 350 member charities.”

Johnson-Tucker added, “Ninety-four-point-four cents of every dollar

raised is passed on through services and products to people in need. For

every dollar donated, 30 people can be fed a meal.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.