Boutique Opening Brings Out the Glitter
Beverly Hills always seems bigger than life. It has bigger-than-life glitz and a stupendous civic center (even if not paid for) to prove it.
The glitzy crowd, in black-tie and mostly black and white couture, turned out bigger than life to greet portly Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre Tuesday night. A handsome crowd stepped over Ferre’s 2-foot-high initials in marble at the entrance of the new Ferre boutique at 270 Rodeo Drive, and everyone bustled up the stairs to see the pricey togs.
Bubbly boutique owner Winnie Schweitzer and her husband, Peter, had hugs and kisses for all before they ambled over to the Regent Beverly Wilshire ballroom, which Joni Smith and Winnie had gussied up with white peonies in silver bowls and fragrant gardenias strewn over the silver lame cloths.
It was a close call on timing. The Young Musicians Foundation didn’t complete its celebrity fashion show and tea (staged by Pat Mitchell and a team including Beverly Bergmann, Lynn Potter, Susan Chalek and Ava Fries) to raise funds for talented youngsters until after 5 p.m.
Then the Ferre bunch moved in to rearrange tables to please entertainer Paul Anka, who wanted the chic close to the stage.
In the crowd: Gerry and Robin Parsky; Marianne and Kenny Rogers; Italian Consul General Alberto and Suzy Boniver; March Fong Eu, California secretary of state, who brought proclamations; Mary Jane and Charles Wick; Esther and Tom Wachtell; Joan Hotchkis and Frank and Anne Johnson (the Hotchkises and the Johnsons leave this week on the Music Center’s benefit trip for the opening of Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai); Terry and Debbie Lanni; Roger and Joanne Kozberg; Patsy Moller, and Doug and Brenda Saarel (of Atlanta).
At the YMF tea, Kathy Hilton was among the celebrities modeling. She was onstage with her handsome offspring--Paris, Nicky and Baron. Nineteen-month-old Baron was photographed in New York at the Waldorf Towers with Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf at the party the Hiltons hosted. Everyone in the family has an 8-by-10 of that photo.
IN THE CHIPS: The CHIPS (Colleague Helpers in Philanthropic Service) are elated. At their preview party of “City of Angels” at the Shubert Theatre, benefit chair Jenny Rutt (aided by Isabel Leahey, Lisa Bell and Justine Bloomingdale) revealed that member Patricia Brown has secured a $1-million donation from the Bettingen Foundation for the Children’s Institute, which aids abused children. It’s been a two-year effort.
VOILA: Some 300 dinner guests waited nearly an hour at Ma Maison Sofitel for the arrival of French Ambassador Jacques Andreani. He had a full schedule that included a health walk in the gardens.
Awaiting when he; his wife, Donatella, and Consul General Gerard and Naomi Coste arrived were French leaders and friends, including members of the French-American Chamber of Commerce.
Agent Robert Bookman introduced the ambassador. Coming from Denver was Frieda Sanidas, Colorado’s honorary consul. Francophiles there included Edie Frere, Krystle Darnell, Jane Halgren, Marybeth Brundage, Lydie Bertrand, Myron and Charlotte Karlin, Thomas Eichler, Robert Watson, Arthur and Tichi Wilkerson-Kassel, Alain and Martine Sarfatti, Bill and Jacqueline Saunders, and Bruce and Lois Rozet.
JUNE DEBS: Congratulations to the June debutantes of the Pasadena Guild of Childrens Hospital, presented at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington: Jacqueline Arcaris, Stacy Bollinger, Jennifer Clark, Julie DeCastro, Jessica Davis, Anne Devereux, Mia Diver, Margaret Evans, Rachel Gregory, Alexis Jordan, Shawna McKinley, Michelle Noble, Susannah Poer, Hilary Poulsen, Anastasia Rehrig, Marie Reniers, Jennifer Ryan, Erin Wier, Megan Wier and Leslie Wright. President Doreen Forsch presided, with ball chair Carol McGhee and debutante chair Miki Marsh also in the limelight.
KNIGHTS: George Gibbs will serve as chairman of the “white tie and decorations” dinner Friday at the Sheraton Grande to fete new members of the Knights of Malta (the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta), who will be invested at 5 p.m. at St. Vibiana Cathedral.
Among those to be invested are Anthony Artukovich, James Brewer, William R. Burke, Edward Macdonald Carey, William L. Caton III, Sally Conn, Msgr. R. David Cousineau, Marty Creutz, Joseph Feeney, Margaret Ferry, Stephen Gavin, Joseph Harvey, Antoinette Hodgkiss, Margaret Karcher, Joan Lamberti, Joanne Smith, Evelyn Vodhanel and Nicholas Weber. Others will come from San Francisco, Hillsborough and Phoenix.
PLAUDITS: Larry Freeman, CEO of Freeman Cosmetic Corp., is delighted: The company raised almost $200,000 at the third FACTT (Freeman Aces Cancer Tennis Tournament) at the Beverly Hills Country Club.
UNWRAP: Corks popped at Spago when Wolfgang Puck hosted Claude Taittinger and unveiled the the newest artist-designed bottle for the Taittinger Collection lineup. This one’s by pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. It’s filled with 1985 vintage Brut Champagne . . . .
Peter Ueberroth keynoted the “Old Glory” Flag Day luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire for PATH (People Assisting the Homeless).
NEW GUARD: The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. has elected Priscilla Tamkin, Peter James, William McGagh, Caroline Baker and Bruce Nasby to its board. It has also named eight new trustees: Richard Corgel, Margaret Fulmer, Margarita Hernandez, Susan Keck, Peter McCoy, Mary Nichols, Patricia Silverman and Hugh Wilson . . . .
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has three new trustees: Virginia Carpenter, Michael Forman and Sergio Munoz.
