THE CROWD:

One of the O.C.’s most glamorous hostesses, Julia Argyros, was the guest of honor at the 13th annual fashion show and luncheon produced by the Guilds of the Orange County Performing Artscenter.

Along with husband George, real estate entrepreneur and internationally recognized businessman, she has donated multimillion dollars to the community chest.

Additionally, their endorsement of local causes rallies residents helping to raise funds for an array of civic, social and charitable causes.

Looking very chic in a taupe silk luncheon ensemble, Argyros told the sold-out ballroom crowd at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Hotel and Spa that when she learned that the fashion show of the day was being presented by Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, she rushed out to the tony department store to purchase the perfect outfit for the occasion.

There is a significant message in this action. A community that works together and supports the business and nonprofit aspects enriching the overall spirit and life blood of the region, will often prosper and grow.

Orange County is a national example of this philosophy of mutual support. George and Julia Argyros are indeed ambassadors of this spirit.

Arriving in the county when it was little more than bean fields, the Argyros family has built their fortune on the great American dream of hard work, good luck, timing and opportunity.

They are at a point in life when giving back is both honorable and joyous for them, and for all in the region who benefit from their generosity.

Julia beamed as she entered the Hyatt Regency for the luncheon. She glowed as she walked through the cocktail crowd, greeting friends and associates, some of whom she has known for decades.

Many of the women attending had helped to found the Artscenter along with Argyros in the day when money was not so prevalent and Orange County was not so glamorous.

So, in a way, these annual fashion luncheons are very much a reunion of comrades linked by what is becoming a long history of community involvement.

Many of these people have donated significant dollars to help take the Center from just a dream to its current status as a national arts magnet.

But the job is not done. Julia Argyros and many of her contemporaries know that the Center still needs tremendous funding to cancel the remaining debt from the recent expansion.

Every luncheon, fashion show, special event that brings people together to focus the attention on the Center is of great value.

While we have big donors such as the Argyros family and others including the very important Segerstroms, the Folinos and additional high-profile multimillion dollar benefactors, the rank-and-file community support is vital to reach financial goals and, more importantly, to raise the bar including as many people as possible creating a better future for Orange County.

It all comes back to that simple philosophy of “lets help one another, and perhaps we will all be successful in the end.”

The fashion show and luncheon this season was chaired by two very dedicated women, Lois Adams and Deloris St. John.

Bloomingdale’s, with support from South Coast Plaza, underwrote the fashion presentation.

Patrons at the fashion show were invited to shop at Bloomingdale’s following the event with 10% of the total sales volume to be donated to the Performing Artscenter.

Adams commented, “Bloomingdale’s has been so generous. We could not be more grateful.”

St. John added, “This was the first year we presented a fashion show that included both men’s and women’s clothing. Bloomingdale’s made it a major success for the Performing Artscenter.”

Additional major underwriters were Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom, Kathy and Cliff Fleming, Mary and Richard Cramer, Sandy and John Daniels, Gail and Jim Daniels, Eve Kornyei and Stan Hansen and Deloris and Norbert St. John.

Corporate underwriters included Aloha Airlines, Black Starr and Frost Jewelers at South Coast Plaza, Dior at South Coast Plaza and Internet Connectivity Group Inc.

The highlight of the program included a video presentation on the life of Julia Argyros.

The crowd roared at a joke over her first name, which has seen variations over the years from Judy to Julianne to Julia.

Enjoying the three-course luncheon that began with a fresh spring salad followed by an entrée that included both a medallion of filet and fish followed by a decadent dessert were Grace Austin, Carol Aspland, Maureen Ballas, Karen Betson, Fran Cashon, Pat Cranford, Sally Crockett, Barbara DeGroot, Shari Esayian, Kay Fukunaga, Stephanie Gehl, Kathryn Glassmyer, Jennifer Segerstrom, Debra Gunn Downing, Gerrie Goodreau, Nancy Haffner, Ollie Hill, Betty Huang, and Jeanette Kleist.

Also in the crowd were Rita Snyder, Darby Manclark, Barbara Bowie, Ann McLean, Mary Ann Miller, Judy Morr, Gloria Osbrink, Milena Panic, Kathy Porter, Christina Rhoades, Corinne Black, Shannon Tarnutzer, Irene Tomkinson, Mary Ann Wentworth, Carol Wilken, and the glamorous Joan Williams.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.