The Crowd -- B.W. Cook

The cameras flashed. A red carpet led the way to the massive white

tent at the water’s edge. A triad of Mercedes-Benz automobiles

representing classic (a vintage Gullwing) to current (the new SL500)

styles were staged at the main entrance of the tent, setting the tone for

the third annual Newport Beach Spring Antiques Show.

The three-day event opened with a gala dinner buffet and sneak peek at

the displays of more than 50 premier dealers, who assembled their wares

in grand style for 500 guests contributing between $100 to $10,000 and

more to support the show, which in turn supports local charity. Produced

by designer Pamela Nestande and underwritten by champion sponsor Mercedes

Benz USA, the event drew patrons in search of treasure.

Dealers reported brisk business as antique European furniture mixed

with artifacts from Asia and Craftsman elements from California,

beckoning buyers with a penchant for quality, a passion to connect with

history and a desire to find a bridge between art and daily life.

The event originated several years ago, created by Lido Isle

philanthropist Diana Miner as a vehicle to involve fellow charitable

island women wishing to support various causes. Miner formed the Lido

Isle Women’s Charitable Foundation and enlisted the support of Rhonda

Phair, Marion Palley and Susanne Buck to launch what was, and remains, a

serious collectors’ undertaking.

Newport’s elegant Marion Palley -- I call her the velvet bulldozer:

smooth, sophisticated and full speed ahead -- led the charge for two

seasons to launch the show and establish its roots. Palley passed the

baton to Pamela Nestande this season.

Petite blond powerhouse Nestande, wife of political organizer Bruce

Nestande, put her own stamp on the project, moving the show from Lido

Isle to the new larger venue on the Back Bay. Miner, Palley and the rest

of the committee envisioned the growth of the show, hence naming the

event the Newport Beach, and not Lido Isle, Spring Antiques Show.

It has become, in just three years, one of the preeminent antique

shows on the West Coast. This has been possible given the dedication of

women such as Maureen Ramer, Lynne Swaine, Anita Dabney, Linda Kinninger,

Barbara Wall, Linda Giannini, Lorraine Hennessey, Dawn Theodora, Debbie

Benedict, Mary Mano, Marion Smith, Donna Shockley, Nancy Arnold, Mary

Anna Jeppe, Lara Davies and Christina Lyon. The ladies volunteer

countless hours to produce the event.

Nestande named the show “Discover the Magic” and enlisted the

appearance of writer/commentator Arianna Huffington, decorator Ann Fraser

and White House social secretary Laurie Firestone to front three

luncheons that attracted sold-out crowds. The lecture series was created

to foster an educational environment that would allow guests and patrons

to discover a broader perspective of various aspects of the design world.

A number of charities, including Childhelp USA, Boys Republic, Human

Options, Assistance League of Newport Mesa, Girls Inc. and more, will

benefit from the show that was generously sponsored by George and Julia

Argyros, Whittier Trust Co., Coldwell Banker-Coast Newport, South Coast

Plaza, Fashion Island, Yves Delorme, Les Interieurs, Hermes and Couture

Flowers.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.