Fall fashion is in the spotlight

B.W. COOK

Fall fashion is in the social spotlight this week on the Riviera as

two major events unfolded with fashion focus. The Orange County

Performing Arts Center joined forces with Nordstrom South Coast Plaza

to present the fifth annual “Spotlight on Gowns” Wednesday evening

in-store at Nordies, hosted by Kim Cimino. The chic evening was a

must “mingle” for the local crowd turning out to support the Center,

Nordstrom and one another. The party was chaired by the super

glamorous Deborah Simon, an East Coast transplant now in residence on

Newport’s most fashionable Harbor Island. Simon and her husband,

Arnold, are very important players in the international fashion trade

with ties to major American designers. Fittingly, Simon put her

expertise to proper use lending support to the fashionable Nordstrom

presentation.

At her side, the equally glam Cerise Feeley, Newport’s very own

social fashion ambassador. Feeley, known for her big heart, big

jewelry and more ... is always dressed to kill with her personal

style reflecting the edge of fashion. Feeley and Simon greeted the

arriving Newport-Mesa Center supporters including OCPAC President

Jerry Mandel and his wife Whitney, the classy Ronnie Allumbaugh,

local fashion standout Pat Cranford, another best dressed O.C. gal

Barbara Glabman, sexy Cynthia Nolet, pretty Pam Paul and plastic

surgeon husband Malcolm Paul of Pelican Point. Also on hand were

Patrice Poidmore, Carol Primm, Joan and Tom Riach, Jan Salta, Micky

Shannon-West, Carrie Vena, Jan Vitti, and Stewart Winston all

attending to view the Nordstrom collection from top European and

American design houses.

The “Spotlight on Gowns” kicks off The Center’s fall and winter

social/fund-raising season culminating with the 30th annual

Candlelight Concert set for Dec. 6. Also in the crowd was Candlelight

chair Elizabeth Tierney, with Carol Wilken and Pat Rypinski, Beth

Hallett and Pam Bender serving in supporting roles.

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Thursday luncheon was served on the second floor salon of Neiman

Marcus as invited guests were treated to a very special runway show

of the fall and winter collection of Escada. Neiman Marcus head

honcho Kelly Cole was on hand with PR tsarinas Michaele Hall

presenting the best of the best to some one hundred VIP Escada

lovers. The theme was very pink, this year’s color de jour. Long

white linen clad banquet tables fronted and backed with white gloss

chairs lined the runway. Dozens of perfectly unopened passion pink

rose buds filled low square contemporary vases set along the tables

to compliment gleaming white square china. Waiters served lemonade,

sparkling water and Chardonnay in oversize bubble goblets as a

recording of Madonna played “Everybody comes to Hollywood.”

Zee Allred looked smashing in a very supple white wool Escada

suit. The elegant Elizabeth Vincent was also on hand for the show. A

very large and diverse collection hit the runway, displayed by

beautiful young models. Tight, tailored pants with flared bottoms

dominated the look. Silk, sheer organza, leather and wool knits

rounded out the collection with the Escada emphasis on quality,

quality, quality. As a very special surprise, Escada designer Brian

Rennie was in town to meet and greet the crowd. The young designer

with three days growth, a wild silk Pucci shirt and a diamond cross

around his neck received some Newport adoration for his talented

showcase.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.