A designer toast to film and a good cause

B.W. COOK

Two of Newport’s most stylish hostesses, Kathie Porter and Sally

Crockett, joined as formidable forces on behalf of the Sophisticates

of the Assessment Treatment Services Center.

The ladies threw a champagne reception and fashion show in

conjunction with the opening of Tadashi, at South Coast Plaza.

More than 200 local guests converged upon the massive retail

center to toast champagne at sunset in the Carousel Court.

Tadashi Shoji, world-respected designer and artist, was on hand

for the celebration. He founded his fashion firm in 1982, and this

season, sales are expected to exceed $24 million.

Based in Los Angeles, Tadashi has created a worldwide reputation

for offering high style at popular prices. Spotted in the Tadashi

crowd were Cathy Lowden, Martha Green, Tora Brown, Claudia Franco,

Kathleen Duffy, and president of the Sophisticates, Nancy Lynn Olson.

The in-store reception has become an important venue to mix

society, charity and business. Last week, the Chopard Boutique at

South Coast Plaza welcomed another 200 guests to an exhibit of

prestigious Swiss watches and glistening jewelry in conjunction with

the opening of the 57th International Cannes Film Festival taking

place in the south of France from until Sunday.

Chopard is an official partner of the festival, adorning some of

the most glamorous women in the film industry in their jewelry

creations. Using the film festival as an opportunity to attract the

local crowd, and raise funds for a local cause, guests mingled in the

boutique, putting the spotlight on Chapman University and the Dodge

College of Film and Media Arts.

Chapman President James Doti joined with Dodge College Dean Bob

Bassett welcoming distinguished Newport-Mesa supporters, including

Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom, Charles and Twyla Martin, Leslie

Cancellieri, Olivia Chami, Cerise Feeley, Paul and Daranne Folino,

Marie St. John Gray, Richard Moriarty, Betty Moss, and Robert and

Caroline Waltos.

The 27th Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County golf

tournament attracted more than 300 Southern California golf

enthusiasts to Pelican Hill this week. Eighteen holes of spectacular

golf under clear blue skies were played in shotgun format, concluding

with sunset cocktails overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A wonderful

dinner followed, along with an auction and awards ceremony, which

helped bring in needed funds to support hundreds of Orange County

kids mentored by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Celebrating their 100th

anniversary this year, the organization is the largest and oldest

youth mentoring nonprofit in the United States.

In Orange County, there are more than 150 children on a waiting

list to be placed with a Big Brother or Big Sister. For more

information please call (714) 544-7773.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.