Glamour Gowns Parade in Style at Annual Show to Aid Juveniles
“Are they packable ?” Rusty Hood wanted to know of the glamour gowns shown at “Around the World of Fashion,” a benefit for the Assessment and Treatment Services Center at the Registry Hotel in Irvine last week.
Well, probably not. With their pouf hemlines, the bubble dresses would have been hard put not to pop in even the plumpest piece of Louis Vuitton luggage. And no woman in her right mind would stuff a fluff of an Yves St. Laurent in anything but the back of a Mercedes wagon.
No problem. The fashions shown Thursday were not so much for traveling around the world as they were from around the world: French oomph from Yves St. Laurent and Courreges, Italian classics from Gucci and flirty Americana from Bullock’s and the Broadway--all at South Coast Plaza.
The annual show that fills the coffers of ATSC--a nonprofit center that heeds the motto “Arrest the Problem, Not the Child”--was staged by the Sophisticates, a center support group. Proceeds were estimated at $20,000.
“ATSC is unique because it’s a true public-private partnership,” said Laura Smith, executive director. “We’re a private agency, privately supported and yet we serve the police departments and schools of the Newport, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Orange and Tustin areas.”
The goal of ATSC, Smith said, is to keep youths from entering the juvenile justice system. “We operate a diversion program for juveniles who have acted out (committed an offense), become victims or become serious discipline problems at home or in school.”
When police make referrals to the center, the client and his family are invited to attend an intake session for an assessment of the problem. Afterward, a treatment plan is designed. The plan may include family or individual counseling, psychological testing or referral to other community services.
“Through family assessment, we look at the whole problem,” Smith said. “Not only the act. Often, the act is the result of a personal problem. For example, a girl may be shoplifting or withdrawn in school because she is reacting to an uncomfortable level of affection shown her by her father. She doesn’t want to tell anyone about what really bothers her. So, she acts out to get attention, to focus on something that will bring her the help she really needs.”
Before the show, which also featured fashions from Ann Stuards Alcott & Andrews, J.W. Robinson, Jessica McClintock, Jaeger, Lina Lee, Lillie Rubin and Odeon, Sophisticates and their guests dined on breast of chicken and coffee ice cream bombe with kalua sauce.
Hood and Jane Minskoff were co-chairmen. Among those serving on the committee were Chris Gayner, Cathy Lowden, Jana Buckingham, Betty Knickerbocker, Nancy Weisbrod, Cindy Gates, Phyllis Ratliff, Bev White, Cecilia Nott, Janice Sennes and Bev Salata.
Talk about dizzying. There was so much to do Sunday at the Crystal Circle brunch on behalf of the Orange County Pacific Symphony that guests didn’t know where to begin. Sit under an umbrella and down fresh fruit margaritas? Stand in line for the ice cream drowned in bananas drowned in brown sugar, butter and rum? Bid on the crystal auction in the dining room? Buy the jewelry displayed by the pool? Peruse the art by the back fence? Stroll about the commodious Spanish villa of hosts Kathy and Roger Hobbs? Settle back and watch the flamenco dancers? Have a picture taken in the antique carriage parked in front of the villa? Watch the fashion show? Listen to the strolling mariachis?
Most of the 260 guests went for a little of each. Proceeds were $20,000. Tickets were $60. The event is annually sponsored by the symphony’s Viennese ball committee. Their annual gala will be held on May 9 at the Newport Beach Marriott.
Jeanne Leward chaired the affair. She was assisted by Georgia Haney, LeVaun Beyer, Sarah Alevizan, Connie Selin, Monica Prenner, Lynne Nye, Mary Johnson and Jacqueline Kirkpatrick.
