Harvesters get fashionable for food

B.W. COOK

The 11th anniversary fashion show and luncheon produced by the

Harvesters in support of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange

County raised more than $300,000 to help end hunger in the community.

For more than a decade, the Harvesters, a group of 50 Newport-Mesa

women, has raised more than $2.5 million to feed those in need. This

year’s effort brought together some 500 local men and women at the

Four Seasons Hotel, Newport Beach for an all-day event that began

with a massive silent auction and mid-morning champagne reception

sponsored by Cartier, continued with an extravagant fashion show

presentation produced by South Coast Plaza, and concluded with a very

chic luncheon in the Palm Garden of the hotel.

The Harvester’s day was chaired by the dynamic blond Carmela

Phillips, wife of Newport car dealer Malcolm Phillips. Harvester’s

founders Jill Johnson-Tucker and Jennifer Van Bergh were on hand to

great the crowd and thank them for their generous support.

Johnson-Tucker and Van Bergh, who addressed the audience just

before the fashion show, are gifted speakers. Their words of personal

appreciation met with tremendous applause from the very full house of

well-dressed women.

Among the exceptionally glamorous women in the crowd were interior

designer Allison Olmstead, Robin McMonigle, Kristina Grace, Debbie

Sclafani and Jennifer Segerstrom. Also spotted in the crowd were

Teddie Ray, Ann Smyth, Wendy Enkema, Caroline Davenport, Molly

Calder, Christine Anderson and Michele Roth.

Harvesters deserving tremendous kudos include underwriting chair

Ann Moorhead and silent auction co-chairs Paige Kunkle and Cary

Lobel.

The South Coast Plaza fashion show was held in a massive tent

erected on the Four Seasons’ property. The presentation was filled

with high energy and was stylish without being over-the-top. Many of

the very well-dressed women in attendance commented that the lineup

of garments was not only artistic but very desirable.

The South Coast Plaza show included designs by Celine, Donna

Karen, Armani, Gucci, MaxMara, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, and Yves

Saint Laurent. The Donna Karen line was particularly flattering,

featuring figure-fitting garments with exposed backs and longer

skirts with ruffled hemlines. Roberto Cavalli presented exceptional

original garments including one incredible standout, which was a

formal gown that was nothing short of a human version of a peacock in

full glory.

The respected and admired Debra Gunn Downing represented South

Coast Plaza at the affair, holding court with countless women who

came over to thank her for supporting the Harvesters. With Gunn

Downing was the talented Kathryn Glassmyer, also representing South

Coast Plaza and responsible for the most successful fashion

presentation.

The assembly left the fashion tent and traveled to the Palm Garden

across the Four Seasons’ property for what was certainly one of the

most elegant luncheons of the fall social season. The setting was

nothing less than a tropical splendor, magnificently appointed by

ballroom chairs Cheri Skellern and Jeri McKenna.

Cartier’s Caroline Jones was on hand to supervise the Cartier

models who showed off glamorous jewelry while patrons lunched on

seared halibut, glass noodles with scallions, and baby bok choy. For

dessert, a delicious pineapple upside-down cake made even the most

calorie-conscious put fork to plate.

Major underwriting for the event came from the generosity of Helen

and Bill Close and Paul and Lilly Merage. Additional underwriting

came from a cross-section of community support.

It is hard to believe that the Orange County Food Bank must serve

nearly one quarter of a million members of the community each and

every month. This nonprofit organization collects food from grocery

stores, restaurants, and manufacturers and distributes the food to

more than 380 charitable organizations dedicated to feeding the

hungry throughout the county. Funds raised by the Harvesters supports

this work, day in and day out, 365 days a year.

Sadly, while support for the Harvesters grows among those that are

well fed, the need for help grows exponentially. Despite the dramatic

dichotomy that exists between those who have and those who need, the

Harvesters exhibit a sincere desire to make a difference.

Unfortunately, for those who go to bed hungry, it is hard to

imagine a world of abundance and opportunity. Without the Harvesters

financial help, many Orange County people would be without food and

totally without hope for a better tomorrow.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.