A Fiesta Fashion Preview
The event: Fiesta 2001 Patron Brunch held Sunday at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. Sponsored by the guilds of Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the champagne brunch served as both a thank you to supporters and a pre-party for the 39th Annual All Guilds Fashion Show on March 21 at the Anaheim Marriott.
Festive fare: A trio of musicians serenaded guests as they entered the lobby, where CHOC’s mascot, Choco the Bear, waved a warm welcome next to a look-alike ice sculpture.
Sipping sunrises and mimosas, guests cozied up to the buffet tables. A popular “omelet a la Mexicana” bar offered taste treats, including Portuguese sausage and home-fried potatoes. Other tidbits: baked brie in warm raspberry sauce, sea bass with cilantro lime sauce and vanilla-bean ice cream sundaes in praline baskets shaped like taco shells.
Fab fashions: Models arrayed in dazzling outfits from the St. John Boutique at South Coast Plaza wended their way through the rooms where 300 guests were seated at round tables topped with swirls of colorful serape fabric and vibrant sunflower bouquets.
Spring fashions ranged from the classic elegance of St. John’s trademark suits to a clingy, tomato-red evening gown and flirty turquoise floral pants with matching backpack.
Quote: “We strongly believe in helping out where we can as a way of sharing the good fortune we’ve had in life,” said Glenn Carpenter, who attended with his wife, Sharon. “Children aren’t able to fend for themselves. It’s extremely important for them to have a place like CHOC that they can go to for treatment and guidance.”
Hot stuff: Producer Carlton Burnett attributes the success of the annual show to its unique “fashion as theater” approach, which includes dance and special effects.
In keeping with this year’s Fiesta theme, local schoolchildren will be performing folklorico dances from Jalisco and Veracruz.
The show will feature identical productions at lunch and dinner. Tickets are $65 each.
Information: (714) 532-8690.