Changing the Fabric of Society Parties
More and more, boutiques at South Coast Plaza are becoming part of Orange County’s social scene. There are the Chanel splashes and the Emporio Armani bashes, and now Escada is throwing its chic hat into the ring to toss a March 5 luncheon at the Center Club in Costa Mesa on behalf of the Women’s Roundtable of Orange County.
During the luncheon--which will be attended by Escada’s fabric guru, Klaus Kahle (marking his first appearance in the United States, says Escada manager Michele Vicale)--
Escada fashions will be informally paraded.
Since Escada is known for its fabrics, especially its dreamy colors--this spring you’ll find peppermint pink, mint green, electric blue and lemon--Kahle’s appearance is a coup for Orange County’s dressed-for-success set.
“For any designer, fabric is their inspiration,” says Vicale. “And Kahle travels the world to find ours--Italy, Scotland, Ireland, all over. He is incredible.”
The Escada look, explains Vicale, is preferred by the corporate woman.
One of Orange County’s most successful entrepreneurs--developer Kathryn Thompson--will receive Roundtable’s first Leadership Award at the affair.
“Thompson is synonymous with leadership,” says Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, who founded Roundtable to give local women leaders the chance to discuss social and financial issues. “In business, government and charitable organizations she has been an outstanding example. We’re honored she has agreed to accept our award.”
Diane Fullerton is luncheon chairwoman.
Another retail push: Mark those calendars for March 28. That’s the day a huge tent will be erected near Nordstrom at South Coast Plaza for Panache!, a fund-raiser for the Mother and Child Maternity Center at Western Medical Center-Anaheim.
In what promises to be this year’s most elaborate fashion affair, guests will enjoy cocktails and dinner (cooked up by Antonello restaurant) and a show before they sweep into Nordstrom for shopping (yes, perusing the racks at Nordstrom is definitely on this party’s agenda). Fashions will spotlight the designers, including Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Claude Montana, Norma Kamali and Katherine Dianos. Trudy Rhoades Passo is chairwoman. Ticket prices are $100 and $150 per person.
Spotlight on Maria Crutcher: Usually she’s behind the scenes, working feverishly to promote the causes of Angelitos de Oro, a support group for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. If it hadn’t been for Maria Crutcher of Newport Beach, Oscar de la Renta and Bob Mackie may never have come to the used-to-be Amen Wardy boutique at Fashion Island to stage stunning fashion extravaganzas on behalf of Angelitos.
But Saturday night was Crutcher’s night to shine when good friends June Wian, Patricia Groth, Rue Byars and Norma Meyer tossed a chic salute to her big 8-0.
A private room at the very private Big Canyon Country Club was arrayed with ficus trees aglow with twinkle lights. Tables were draped in dramatic black cloths, and the red poppy centerpieces matched Crutcher’s artfully glitzed Fabrice gown. (The invitations--adorned with a childhood picture of Maria--stipulated that women wear either black or white to the black-tie bash. This ensured that Crutcher would be the only lady in red.)
Through all the hoopla--the champagne, the hugs, the filet mignon dinner, the warm birthday greetings--there was a collective lump in the throat over the endearing Crutcher, for years a welcome fixture on Orange County’s society scene.
But nothing topped the evening’s finale: a chanteuse serenading Crutcher with stories of her life.
“I can’t believe all of this!” Crutcher said, beaming. To make sure she won’t miss a thing, the whole affair was taped. Happy video-watching, Maria.
