A Dynasty of Glamorous Fashion : Hundreds pay tribute to Hollywood and couture designer Nolan Miller at an American Cancer Society benefit.
More than 400 women, many dressed like the glamorous characters on the “Dynasty” TV series, paid tribute to the show’s costume designer, Nolan Miller, at “A Taste of Fashion” benefit for the American Cancer Society/Orange County.
Staged by the South Coast Cancer League, the recent fashion show and luncheon featured a nostalgic look at some of the opulent gowns Miller has created for Hollywood’s leading ladies, as well as his new couture collection and spring styles from Saks Fifth Avenue. Guests paid $55 each to attend the show at the Irvine Marriott, raising about $8,000 for the cancer society.
Dressing the Stars
At the start of the show, Miller took to the stage to comment on his colorful career while models showed off his original costumes on the runway. Film clips from movies, TV shows and Academy Awards ceremonies showed how the stars looked in his creations.
There was Bette Davis in a red satin gown, singing Miller’s praises to Johnny Carson on the “Tonight Show”: “Thank you for my beautiful dress,” she said on national television.
Whoopi Goldberg wore Miller’s black sequin sheath to the 1991 Academy Awards.
“Vogue asked me what my greatest accomplishment was. I told them it was getting Whoopi Goldberg in a bra and high heels,” Miller said. “But I wasn’t able to get her to do anything with her hair.”
Elizabeth Taylor wore Miller’s regal-looking purple satin gown in ads to promote her Passion perfume. “Violet is her favorite color. You can’t believe how difficult it is to do a wardrobe all in violet,” he said.
Miller showed several designs from his “Dynasty” days, including a red velvet gown worn by Alexis (Joan Collins). He recalled producer Aaron Spelling telling him: “I never want to see (the characters) in the same dress twice, and you can never overdress them.”
Fashion Plates
Proving that glamour isn’t just a thing of the past, guests put on a fashion show of their own--many sporting hats with their elegant suits and dresses.
“I told Nolan, ‘Just wait until you come to Orange County. You will not believe how beautiful the women are,’ ” said Mary Dell Barkouras, event chairwoman, who wore white--a sheer chiffon skirt topped with an embroidered jacket and wide-brimmed hat. Barkouras is a longtime Miller fan.
“I think he’s one of the finest designers in the world. His things have classic elegance, excitement and pizazz,” she said. “He has the intent to make a woman look beautiful.”
Event co-chairwoman Cerise Feeley, who wore a dramatic snow-white suit with fur cuffs and a matching fur hat, was quickly dubbed “Alexis” by Miller.
In keeping with the “Hats Off to Nolan Miller” theme, organizers decorated the tables with straw hats adorned with pink and purple flowers. Guests enjoyed a lunch of grilled chicken, wild mushroom soup en croute and a dessert of chocolate mousse topped with a miniature chapeau of white chocolate.
Proceeds from the event will be used to underwrite the South Coast Cancer League’s “A Taste for Life” gala at the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center in Costa Mesa on May 15. The $125-per-person fund-raiser will feature wine and gourmet food from Orange County restaurants and international wineries.
Among those attending the fashion show were: event co-chairwomen Stephanie Argyros and Sharon Huta; Judie Argyros, who will co-chair “A Taste for Life” with her husband, George, as well as Zee Allred, Ronnie Allumbaugh, Gayle Anderson, Donna Blue, Dori de Kruif, Patricia Edwards, Patricia Groth, Mary Lou Hornsby, Tita Loza, Mona Lee Nesseth, Gail Robson, Linda Sherman, Mary Jean Simpkins, June Wian and Nancy Wynne.
