Glamour for Sale at Bargain Prices : Proceeds of Colleagues Benefit Help Children’s Institute
It certainly doesn’t hurt to have Nancy Reagan saying “Pretty please” on your behalf, even in disguise. The Colleagues is that prestigious group whose members count her as a teammate in absentia. She joined in 1962. With White House rank, she now has honorary status. But that doesn’t prevent the Colleagues from dropping her name now and then to solicit more wonders--couture, antiques, furs, furniture--for its Annual Glamour Sale on May 10 at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St.
And even if Nancy Reagan isn’t particularly involved with Colleagues this season, many of her closest friends are. Betsy Bloomingdale, Marion Jorgensen, Harriet Deutsch, Erlenne Sprague, Mary Jane Wick, Chardee Trainer. Not to mention so many more: Onnalee Doheny, Beverly Morsey, Jayne Berger, Billie Converse, Giney Milner, Natalie Robinson, Caroline Singleton, Fran Stark, Connie Wold, Libby Keck, Gloria Stewart and Betty Wilson, a sustaining member while she takes a supportive role as Mrs. William Wilson (he’s ambassador to the Vatican).
Where the Proceeds Go
The Colleagues has stockpiled racks and racks of goodies for the sale. Last year the sale netted more than $200,000. Sale chairman Mrs. Robert J. Woods Jr. (Laura-Lee) is determined to do better. One year, the Colleagues hit $350,000.
Proceeds go to the Children’s Institute, founded in 1906. The largest agency of its kind in Southern California, it operates a facility for abused and neglected infants, a family treatment clinic and child sexual abuse program and conducts training activities for professionals and the public.
Both Mrs. Woods and president Mrs. Henry Eversole Jr. (Noorna) decided this year to upgrade merchandise even more. “Mind you,” said Mrs. Woods, “this is not a rummage sale.” A few minutes later, Mrs. Eversole was emphatic: “Remember, this is not a rummage sale.”
Rummage, according to Webster’s, is defined as “miscellaneous articles; odds and ends.” A never-worn Givenchy (probably about $1,500 new) blue coat from last year is definitely not an odd nor an end. “The lady who gave it to us made me promise that I would not tell her husband,” Mrs. Eversole said. “He doesn’t know she’s given it to the Colleagues.”
Are maybe 50 Adolfos--fresh, clean, worn only to Jimmy’s a few times--odds? Hardly. “Aren’t they magnificent!” beamed Natalie Robinson, scurrying around a warehouse in Santa Monica where some merchandise is stored, futzing with this and that, buttoning, tucking, examining garments from collar to hem. “We check them ever so carefully. All these items will end up in the Blue Room.” The Blue Room is where the best couture--St. Laurent, Bill Blass, Chanel--goes. Though admittance to the Glamour Sale is free, entrance to The Blue Room is for buyers serious enough to spend $5.
This year, the top price has been set--even if the item is a $4,000 Galanos--at $350.
But there will be thousands of lower-priced items. Many of them will go in the “Three--Thirty Room.” That’s a room that will require a $3 donation, and clothes will be priced at $10, $20 and $30.
“Because of the enormous values, there will be no try-ons in ‘Three-Thirty,’ ” explained co-chairmen Jean MacAllister and Joey Smith.
Last-Minute Touches
If something arrives imperfect, Colleagues take it home for a redo. Said Mrs. Woods, “We take clothes home and sew on buttons, drop them off at the cleaners.” The examination of new clothing arrivals is thorough.
Occasionally, Colleagues stumble across historic pieces--such as Norells and Irenes from the 1930s or 1950s. “Most people wouldn’t want them to wear,” said Mrs. Woods. “So, we’ll give them to the Costume Council or the Fashion Institute. Sometimes fashion design students take them apart to study the construction.”
Over in Venice, Midge Clark, Marilyn McDaniel and Frances Skipsey (their fourth in the quartet--Louise Good--was missing that day) were enjoying ocean breezes while pricing copper and silver with antiquarian Lafe Spiers, who donates his time to the cause.
The prices, Mrs. McDaniel said, of silver and antiques would be meaningful: “We usually price about one-third of what something’s worth.” Everyone was standing around looking at the 19th-Century Russian samovar, the 1810 English brass tea urn and the cut cranberry glass wine decanter. Too, there were dozens of wooden masks at $35 a pair.
Duties Are Delegated
Each Colleague takes on a job. Billie Converse, for instance, is always responsible for organizing the addressing of about 4,000 invitations that go out for the sale. Jill Cartter designs the work schedule. Husbands and friends are imported to handle cash and calculators. Support groups including the Chips and Les Amies send helpers.
Jane Wormhoudt has worked on sales since the original in 1959 at the late Carlotta Kirkaby’s ballroom. She also remembers the time a black horse named Fred was donated to the Colleagues. “Obviously, we couldn’t keep him, but, honestly, about the only thing we don’t take are used husbands and used Rolls-Royces.”
