THE CROWD:

The Fashionable Women of Chapman University presented Christmas at The Ritz, Newport Beach. It was the 21st annual holiday gathering raising significant dollars to fund a variety of university projects supported by the local confederation of gals. The grand holiday fest never changes, year after year, and that’s a good part of its appeal.

Chaired this season by the ultra-glamorous Adrienne Brennan with tons of support from Fashionables president Leslie Cancellieri and a committee that included Donna Bianchi, Donna Bunce, Kathy Hamilton, Rusty Hood, Sue Hook, Charlene Prager and Marci Hollander, to name only a few, the event lived up to its very high standard.

Arriving guests, including the grand patron of honor, Newport’s chic Zee Allred and beau Drago Gligic, were greeted by Santa, carolers, chairs and the distinguished Chapman president Jim Doti and his wife, Lynn Pierson Doti. A champagne reception followed in the Ritz Garden where opportunity tickets sold like crazy.

One of the major attractions is the big giveaway raffle that includes prizes galore. Major gifts worth thousands of dollars. This year the grand prize was a diamond necklace from Traditional Jewelers courtesy of Lula Halfacre. Its value appraised at $15,000. Major support for the event also came from Trudy Durant and Dorothy and Don Kennedy — all named as honorary chairs. Paul and Daranne Folino, Shelly Wankier Hupp, Leslie and Dino Cancellieri, Jim and Nancy Baldwin, Dan and Anne Manassero, Bob and Carolyn Waltos, Marshall and Carol Lee, and the prominent benefactors Julia and George Argyros also front and center for Chapman and the Fashionables.

Founded in 1971 by the late Mildred Mead, the Fashionables has raised millions for Chapman. This season the women expect to fulfill their latest million-dollar pledge in support of the new school of film and media arts. Major benefactors of that expansion, Larry and Kristina Dodge of Newport Coast, were also in attendance.

Spotted in the very fashionable crowd were Donna Anderson, Linda Beale, Sandra Beigel, Jean Macino and Laird Blue, Sally Crockett, Marion Pickens with daughter AlisonMcCormick, Kathy Hamilton, Ollie Hill, Elaine and Hunter Keck, Darrellyn Melilli, Ruth and Gene Moriarty with daughter Jeanne Moriarty, Betty Moss, and Beverly Hills jeweler Kevin Parker representing the David Webb Salon. Also on hand were Shirley Pepys, Mary Roosevelt, Don and Deedee Sodaro, Gail and Ron Soderling, Grace and Pat Thelen, Dawn Washer, Gayle Widyolar, Petrina Friede, Betty Forrest, Loretta Haugen, Ilene Doolin and couturier Mark Oshima representing the Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills Salon.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.