‘Fantasy Island’ Comes to Grips With Reality

It could only happen at a gala: in one corner, Ivana Trump’s used-to-be chef “dishing” about his former boss. In another corner: an almost-kidnap victim giving a tip on how to recognize a real policeman. In another: a gala-goer whispering about the party she is planning for Paul McCartney. In still another: an Orange County supervisor proclaiming, “I’m not a Democrat! And they’re not going to push me out of the Republican Party!”

It all happened at “Fantasy Island,” the gala kickoff of Newport Center Fashion Island’s 25th-anniversary celebration on Saturday night. Several hundred guests cruised appetizer buffets, tipped bubbly, dined by candlelight, watched a fashion show staged by I. Magnin and heard a gotta-dance ‘50s concert featuring the Shirelles, Coasters and the Platters.

But, as usual, the best was in the buzz. Overseeing a mouthwatering menu of grilled chicken with papaya chutney, Four Seasons chef Hagai Narkis called Ivana Trump “highly demanding but highly professional.”

“She adored exotic food and I loved working with her at the Plaza Hotel in New York,” he said.

Across the Neiman Marcus courtyard, under a gazebo hung with baskets flooded with blooms, Jim Glidewell of Newport Beach told party-goers he and his girlfriend, Lisa Rainbolt, were “just glad to be here.” (On Thursday, Glidewell was met at his front door by two men posing as undercover police officers. Their plan: kidnap the wealthy businessman.)

“I still think Newport Beach is a safe place to live,” said Glidewell, who managed to outsmart his abductors. “I think it was a random thing. But from now on, I’ll be more careful about opening my door.”

Advised Rainbolt: “Demand a picture when a policeman flashes a badge. A real policeman has both. Those guys had no pictures.”

Before she headed for the dance floor to frug with husband Richard Engel, Jolene Engel said the party she was planning for former Beatle Paul McCartney on Oct. 24 would be held at Diva restaurant in Costa Mesa. (McCartney will be at the Orange County Performing Arts Center that night for the West Coast premiere of his work, “Liverpool Oratorio.”)

“We hope to raise money for the Master Chorale and Paul McCartney’s favorite charity,” said Jolene, who noted that McCartney was feted at chic parties when his composition was performed in New York and London.

Gala-goers, most of them stalwart members of the GOP, weren’t sure what to make of the politics of Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, who attended the bash with her husband, Irv. Last week, Wieder, a Republican, announced she was supporting Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton in his bid for the presidency.

What’s going on ? a member of her constituency wanted to know. “I’m not a Democrat!” Wieder said. “I’m a Republican for Clinton . . . doesn’t anybody remember how many Democrats voted for Reagan?”

When guests weren’t eyeballing the evening wear sported by some of Orange County’s most fashionable women--Patty Edwards in shimmering aquamarine sequins, for one, and Susie Hernandez in a bugle-bead splashed summer suit--guests were watching models parade the exotic clothing of Japanese designer Janet Kaneko of Los Angeles.

On view: rich embroidery and tapestry panels embellishing one-of-a-kind dresses. “I travel the world--swap meets, estate sales, auctions--to find the vintage fabrics that I piece together for my ensembles,” said Kaneko. (Shopping tip: 55 pieces of the Kaneko Collection will be showcased at I. Magnin today and Tuesday.)

Also among guests was Susan Chandler, wife of restaurateur Rex Chandler (once owner of the now-defunct Rex at Fashion Island).”Rex is doing fine in Hawaii,” said Susan, who is president of the Islanders, the social group that staged the gala on behalf of the Juvenile Connection Program in Orange.

“He has a new place on restaurant row in Oahu,” she said. “It’s called the Black Orchid, but it will soon be called the Rex. He’s working very hard .”

Other faces in the crowd: gala co-chairwomen Ann Stern and Kitty Leslie (Leslie attended the opening of Fashion Island 25 years ago. “It was held for the Newport Beach Assistant League and Buffum’s and Robinson’s were the only department stores here at the time,” Leslie said. “My, how times have changed.”); Scott and Mary Lou Hornsby; Lon and Mary Ann Wells; Orange County Supervisor Thomas Riley and his wife, Emma Jane; Paul and Virginia Knott Bender; Cerise and Larry Feeley; Tina and Matt Schafnitz; Sandra Brodie; Adrienne and Dr. George Brennan; Zee Allred; Barbara Mason; Noddie Weltner; Diana Bromiley; Beverly Ray; and Christine Perricone.

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Save the date: Comedian Carol Burnett and her daughter, Carrie Hamilton, will be the honorary chairwomen when Interval House stages it annual “Il Bal des Papillons” gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point on Oct. 31. Tickets are selling for $200 each. Stay tuned.