Guilds’ Fashion Show Works ‘Magic of Spring’ for Childrens Hospital
There were no magic tricks during “Magic of Spring,” the 24th annual fashion show presented by all 14 guilds of the Childrens Hospital of Orange County. But magic was clearly present but invisible in the smoothly run two-day event, the end result of eight months of strategy planning. The fashion show and luncheon debuted Wednesday at the Anaheim Marriott, then repeated for another sell-out crowd Thursday. It attracted more than 2,600 guests, “the most ever,” according to organizers, and “probably raised well over $100,000,” said an ecstatic all-guild treasurer, Jean Hamann.
Helen Wardner, coordinator of the guilds, explained why it all ran so smoothly: “The members of the fashion show advisory board have been members for at least five to six years. They’ve had different jobs over the years and when they become chairmen they are very well prepared for putting on a big fashion show.”
“I almost fainted when I found out the board voted in a two-day fashion show,” said Phyllis Clemmer, general chairman of the fashion show advisory board. “We’ve talked about it for years and I guess it was just my time when this happened.”
Clemmer continued: “Our reservations have been filled every year and we’ve always had to say, ‘Sorry, we’re sold out.’ Last year 1,700 attended. This year we sold a thousand tickets more.”
Made Two Groups
In a stroke of obvious but necessary genius, party planners divided the guilds into two groups, accommodating eight guilds and their guests on Wednesday and the other seven guilds on Thursday. (The Cinderella Juniors, although credited as a separate guild at the luncheon, are sponsored by the Cinderella Guild.) Among their grateful fans was Anaheim Marriott director of catering Peter Gunter. “I must compliment the ladies on their reservations count,” Gunter said. “I thought we would have 800 one day and 1,600 the next. It was close to an even 1,300 each day.”
Charlie Hester, president of the board of directors of Childrens Hospital of Orange County and master of ceremonies at the benefit, acknowledged the handsome receipts that the guilds have been turning over to CHOC for more than 20 years: “Thank you for making the first pledge for our $8-million building program. You’ve already paid $500,000 on that pledge. And (thank you for) the $700,000 that you’ve contributed to CHOC through the years that went towards the outpatient clinic.”
In a reference to the ambulatory care center to be opened next month, Hester added: “Because of your generosity, county patients will be able to come to the center whether they have the funds or not.”
Presidents of the various chapters busied themselves selling opportunity tickets as guests arrived. Although there were door prizes both days, the principal prizes, a 1986 Mazda RX-7 GX, an Alaskan cruise, a fox jacket, a trip for two to Maui and a gold, diamond and emerald ring, were only announced on Thursday.
Awards to Benefactors
Czechoslavakian crystal ice buckets, etched with the recipient’s name, date and theme of the event, were awarded to major benefactors, including principal sponsors Peter Ochs of the Fieldstone Co. and Larry Davis representing Lucky Stores, Inc. (Southern Food Division).
No one had a bad seat for the fashion show extravaganza presented by Billur Wallerich of Saks Fifth Avenue. The mammoth ballroom, capable of seating up to 3,000 guests, was bisected by a cross-shaped ramp that spanned the width and length of the room, offering a good view for everyone.
“This was the best set-up to accommodate the most people,” said Wardner. Although “it probably was a nightmare for Carlton Barnett and his sound and lighting technicians who set it up last night.”
The opening of the production was serious show-biz, with fogging machines pumping out an eerie layer of synthetic fog that drifted along the floor of the stage. The Deke & Morgan dancers in magi-cian-styled dress lent more atmosphere with creative dance routines and choruses of “We’ve got magic for you.”
For this size crowd, Wallerich didn’t want boredom. She didn’t get it. No fewer than eight or 10 models appeared on stage at one time, keeping all eyes busy. After the successful presentation, Wallerich commented on the entertainment she has incorporated into most of her fashion shows. “They are dancers and singers from UCI, but not a dance group per se. They are the same group I’ve been working with exclusively for four years.”
