Fashion Models Perform ‘Center’ Stage

Talk about trading places. Usually, they’re members of the standing-room-only audiences that jam Segerstrom Hall, taking in world-class productions in pricey cocktail suits and sparkling jewels.

But on Tuesday afternoon, members of the Guilds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center and a few stars of local society had been asked to leave their jewelry and finery at home. On this day, they were to star in Segerstrom Hall in a sartorial extravaganza that would make $110,000 and history: The production marked the first time a benefit fashion show was held on stage at the Center.

Co-sponsored by Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza, “The Center of Fashion,”--which promises to be an annual affair--drew 2,500 guests, paying ticket prices that ranged from $10 to $75. The higher prices brought theater-goers closer to the models than they could have imagined: A special stage extension had been built, bringing the three-hour production right up to their powdered noses.

Festivities began with a 1:30 p.m. champagne reception in the lobby.

Then, an hour later, the curtain rose on a production so well-conceived that the audience thought they’d died and gone to show-biz heaven. A bevy of dancers culled by producer Carlton Burnett from around the country got the action moving as models, decked out in more than $1.5 million worth of fashion, began their parade on the cavernous stage--upholstered in white vinyl for the occasion.

Highlights: a show-stopping number at the end of Act One that showcased creations from the collection of Academy Award-winning designer Bill Travilla, creator of glamour-gowns for celluloid goddesses such as Marilyn Monroe and Loretta Young.

Moving to a rousing rendition of “Hooray for Hollywood,” the models--professionally trained at John Robert Powers--worked the stage in sparkle and glitz as a rainbow of spotlights danced around them.

Excited applause also greeted the beginning of the second act: a four-sequence production staged to haunting melodies from “Phantom of the Opera.” The curtain went up on a huge, gleaming chandelier that rose, ever so slowly from the floor as models in opera gowns and furs made entrances between tuxed gents holding glimmering sconces.

On view in this production were fashions from I. Magnin, Neiman Marcus, Mi Place and Red Haute Couture. (Each of the department stores and boutiques represented in the production donated $2,400 for their segments. Twenty-two of Orange County’s finest stores and designers were represented.)

The chance to appear in the show, conceived by Guilds chairwoman Janice Johnson--wife of Center vice chairman Roger Johnson--did not come easily. Members of the guilds had to audition--walk, pose and have their pictures taken before a panel of discriminating judges.

But there was no trying out for high-society models such as Judie Argyros--wife of Forbes 400 developer George Argyros--and Deeann Baldwin, wife of developer Al Baldwin (who also modeled). They were simply invited to strut their stuff.

Backstage, Argyros and Baldwin spent their time practicing before huge mirrors and fretting over their hair. “Are you sure my hair doesn’t look too wild?” Argyros asked this reporter, who was also was invited to model. Argyros’ hair was sleeked back and piled in a pouf on her head. (She later brought the house down in a black and gold metallic cocktail suit from D.N. Evans of Laguna Beach and, later, a black and lavender creation from Mi Place of Fullerton and Laguna Niguel.)

At one point backstage, Baldwin--who broke the “leave your jewels at home” mandate and wore a mega-diamond at her neck--sported two different shoes, one a plain black silk pump, the other, a glitzed black slipper. She’d gotten her footwear mixed up. “Oops, I’d better get my feet on straight,” she quipped, blinding in a gold bugle-beaded Bob Mackie. Would her husband buy the flattering gown for her? “Hmmmm, not sure,” said Deeann, with an “I hope so” look in her eyes.

Other stores represented in the production were Saks Fifth Avenue; Adrienne Vittadini; Armoire; Barneys New York; Burberrys Limited; Chanel; David Rickey; Mondi; Fogal; I. Magnin; Laise Adzer; Polo Ralph Lauren; Theodore; Yves Saint Laurent; Priorities; Liz Claiborne; The Bride and Stracci.

The Guilds is the Center’s largest support group, having more than 2,900 members in 36 chapters countywide. Chairing the gala fashion show were Dee Trujillo and Fiona Petersen. Renee Segerstrom and Willa Dean Lyon were honorary co-chairwomen.

Among guests at the affair were Center president Thomas Kendrick, who praised the Guilds for their “vision”; Guilds founder Georgia Spooner; James Henwood, South Coast Plaza general manager, and Barbara Roppolo, director of operations for the Irvine Retail Properties Co.