Bringing in a healthy harvest for the needy

B.W. COOK

The Harvesters’ 12th annual fashion show and luncheon netted $500,000

for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

The sold-out event attracted Newport-Mesa citizens to the Four

Seasons Hotel at Fashion Island for the silent auction of the season,

followed by a most trendy fashion show produced by South Coast Plaza.

Under a massive tent, lined in black and pulsating with hip-hop, the

threads of Celine, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Escada,

Roberto Cavalli, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior paraded the

catwalk. The fashions of Roberto Cavalli received both audible gasps

and cheers for the sheer originality and creative design. Other

standouts were the lines of Armani and Dior, showing off wearable

fashion beyond reproach.

Following the fashion show, guests converged under the canvas

ceiling of the Palm Garden for a luncheon that included modeling from

French jeweler Cartier. Chaired by Carmela Phillips, the massive

fundraiser was an enormous success for the citizens of OC that face

hunger daily. Working for that success were underwriting co-chairs

Brigid Landau and Alex Parker, along with Melinda Serra in charge of

corporate participation. Teddie Ray, Cary Lobel, Robin McMonigle, Ann

Moorhead, Jeri McKenna, Margie Forman and Jennifer Segerstrom were

also very involved in helping to raise the financial bar for the

Harvesters.

Founded by Newport citizens Jill Johnson-Tucker and Jennifer Van

Bergh, the group of volunteers has made a considerable difference

fighting hunger in OC over the past decade. Major support for the

annual event came from Julia Post, Heather Madden, Sherri Worth

Nourse, Jean Weiss and Lily Merage. Also underwriting were Melissa

Arnold, Diane Cotton, Mary Buckingham, Maria Cooper, Frances Gadbois

and Maya Redwitz, to name only a selection of generous donors.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.