Haute Stuff: Sale Benefits OCPAC’s Music Chapter

There wasn’t any hair-pulling, jacket-ripping or aisle-tripping, but bargain hunters did plow through 20 racks of discounted designer clothes last Friday and Saturday at the Repeat Performance sale to benefit the Sound of Music Chapter of the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Used designer and ready-to-wear clothes were displayed in the Atrium, a high-rise in Irvine. The labels and prices were attractive enough to lure busy executives from nearby offices.

Women’s clothing--with such name-dropping labels as Escada, Valentino, Oleg Casini, St. John and Ellen Tracey--ranged from ball gowns to business suits. For the men, there were Italian-made cashmere suits and sports coats.

The operative word, said volunteer Elizabeth Hanson, was quality.

“Last year, we received donated shoes that weren’t in good condition and were out of style. The same things with belts,” she said. “So this year, we only offered quality clothing . . . and a few hats. We received some beautiful items, all clean and on hangers. Everyone we asked came through to help us.”

The event raised $12,000 for the Performing Arts Center.