The Crowd:

It has been referred to as “the glamour charity.” Its members are blond, beautiful, slim, exceedingly well dressed and rich. This is not meant to sound crass or solicitous; it is simply fact.

Ironically, these women came together more than 17 years ago to create a charitable organization raising funds feeding the poor in Orange County.

Money raised go to the Second Harvest Food Bank, which translates dollars into sustenance for tens of thousands of men, women and children in need.

There are critics who cry foul given the disparity between the donors and the recipients, but, make no mistake, these high-fashion women have provided millions of dollars in aid over 17 years, which has made a meal-by-meal difference for people who do not know the difference between Oscar de la Renta and Balenciaga. This group, of course, is the Harvesters.

Last week in Orange County, 100 of the Orange Riviera’s best-dressed ladies and their significant others came together for an underwriting cocktail party at the ocean-view estate known as Villa di Sogni, residence of the philanthropic Cahill family.

The home has been the site of several high-profile social/charitable events lately, most notably the Oceana SeaChange party last month, attracting 1,000 guests including a major contingent of Hollywood celebrities.

This more intimate Harvesters gathering centered around raising funds to underwrite the upcoming luncheon and fashion show set to unfold at the Island Hotel, Newport Beach on Thursday. The 17th annual Harvesters gathering is considered by many the fashion show of the year to attend in Orange County.

A chic white tent is erected on the property of the Island Hotel, filled with hundreds of Chiavari chairs lined up like soldiers at attention around a fashion runway the length of a football field.

The ladies and gentlemen in attendance are as much a fashion show unto themselves as the models parading the runway.

This is the fashionista’s dream come true, and on a national scale, the show most certainly competes with the best-dressed events in any city in the nation.

The extravaganza is sponsored by South Coast Plaza and some of the world’s most celebrated designers, including Christian Dior, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta and Chanel, will be showcased on the catwalk, which is also being sponsored and organized with the participation of Saks Fifth Avenue under the direction of its Orange County Vice President and South Coast Plaza store manager Gretchen Pace.

The reception at the Cahill estate last week raised an impressive $155,000 in underwriting support for the Second Harvest Food Bank event.

Mary Adams, who is handling publicity for the Harvesters this year, emphasized that 100% of the underwriting dollars raised go directly to the food bank. Charlie Palmers’ of South Coast Plaza catered the underwriting reception serving delectable caviar, crab and tuna tartare appetizers.

The crowd sipped champagne at sunset, excited over ultra-luxurious raffle items including a pair of diamond hoop earrings valued at $10,000 donated by Black Starr & Frost, which went to Harvesters co-founder Jennifer Van Bergh.

Saks Fifth Avenue donated a mink stole (now there’s a flashback to the past), which was won by Robin McMonigle. Max Mara donated a deluxe black shearling coat, which was won by Susan Paek, who also chaired the underwriter’s party.

Perhaps the most unusual item was a helicopter trip to the Breeder’s Cup with VIP seating.

This adventure was donated by Peter and Jaye Adderton and was auctioned off to Tony and Joanne Fanticola.

All of the guests left with an extravagant gift bag loaded with goodies including a generous $100 gift card donated by Saks Fifth Avenue.

Spotted in the crowd were Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom, Gretchen and Marc Pace, Jackie and Colt Melby and the beautiful and intelligent Jill Johnson-Tucker, co founder of the Harvesters, and her handsome husband, Larry.

Harvesters working diligently for the cause also include the dedicated Melinda Serra and Ann Smyth.

For information on the upcoming luncheon fashion show contact Mary Adams at maryadams@mindspring.com.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.