Sophisticated fashion in ‘Wonderland’

B.W. COOK

It was all about fashion and fundraising to help the children of the

Assessment Treatment Services Center.

The Sophisticates in support of the center produced “An Afternoon

in Wonderland,” attracting an enormous turnout of Newport- Mesa women

at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Huntington Beach.

The Sophisticates spring fashion show is always one of the

“must-do” events on the social calendar. This season, Newport’s Karen

Elliott joined Marci Hollander to chair the massive undertaking, also

the most important fundraiser of the year for the group that helps

fund the organization with the motto “arrest the problem, not the

child.” The center provides family counseling to children and

families at risk for serious problems with schools, police, courts

and other agencies and aspects of community order and function.

The day of fashion, produced by Nordstrom South Coast Plaza, began

with a late morning reception and the kickoff of silent auction

opportunities. Silent auction chairs Tora Brown, Cheryl Johnstone,

and the chic Newport Coast hostess Annamarie McGee mingled with

guests arriving for Nordie’s previews of American and European

designer fashions for spring and summer 2004.

Sophisticates Carol Durham and Carole Sturim got in the act with

underwriting chairs Carol Pontremoli, Cindy Jones and Claudia Franco

to create a party with panache. Sophisticates president Nancy Lynn

Olson shared duties with Denice Mock, Mary Pon, Marsha Willis, Debbie

Schweickert and Nili Stevens to ensure success.

Spotted in the fashionable crowd were Carleen Brennan, Sarah

Corrigan, Eileen Hanley, Barbara Magness, Mary Ann Wentworth and

Philomena Mark.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.