Styles still chic second time around
There was nothing “shabby” about the Glendale’s Assistance League’s “Shabby Chic” Fashion Show and its “Tres Chic Tea” on April 26. Each year the league models shimmy between luncheon tables showing off ensembles for pennies on the dollar. They are all on sale through the league’s Thrift Alley thrift shop. This year’s get was a pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes at $10, ordinarily worth hundreds.
Event chairwoman Roseann Case and her co-chairwoman Carrie Ward gently supervised her committee of Bea Wojtyla, Mary Lo Follett, Sylvia Kowal, Sally Benson and Margaret Hammond.
A luncheon of tea sandwiches and sweets was accompanied by steaming pots of tea, poured by the hostess of each table. Table 5 was presided over by Mary Margaret Smith. Bunches of spring flowers matched the colorful tablecloths and cloth napkins.
But it was the fashion show that drew more than 100 members and their guests. League models performed their twirls with aplomb. A standout was Bea Wojtyla wearing a black muumuu, a steal at $6, and flowered black sunhat. Her second ensemble was a bright pink dress with accompanying beret. Wojtyla wore her signature red sneakers with each change and didn’t hesitate to raise her leg just like a show girl to show off her sneakers. Smith modeled a gold St. John sweater going for a bargain $25.
League member Sylvia Kowal sported the Stuart Weitzman shoes that all were coveting but could not buy until the fashion show at the senior luncheon later in the month.
More league models were Herta Collins, Carol Eldred, Beverly Lloyd, Karen Millman, Jeannie O’Hara, league President Jean Peacock, Brit Trydal and Alma Tycer, who is incoming president.
Millman coordinated the fashion show. Marcie Haug handled fashion show commentator duties like a pro. Both were assisted by Rita Turkmany.
The Assistance League of Glendale contributes to the community through funds raised by its Thrift Alley, at 314-A E. Harvard St., and the popular Festival of Trees, this year chaired by a very ambitious Millman. Annually, the league provides, among other offerings, new clothing and shoes for 500 students, instructors and study material to help 85 students to prepare for the SAT exam, eight $1,000 scholarships and monthly luncheons for some 70 seniors.
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The Brand Library & Art Center was the setting for an illustrated presentation by author April Dammann, sister of yours truly. She spoke about her book “Exhibitionist: Earl Stendahl, Art Dealer as Impresario” on April 27. Stendahl sold to celebrities such as William Randolph Hearst and Frank Lloyd Wright. A member of the Stendahl family, Dammann is married to Stendahl’s grandson, Ronald Dammann, present at the presentation. Also in attendance was the Dammanns’ son, recent Glendale resident Joseph Dammann.
April Dammann is a writer, art collector and historian. Her book is filled with never-before-seen documents, letters and illustrations. After her presentation, she signed books for those who purchased them.
In the audience were 63 English students from Glendale Community College. Also present was art aficionado, Glendale resident Anna Rundle. As membership chairwoman of the Associates of Brand Library & Art Center, Burbank resident Barbara Thorn-Otto encouraged her audience to consider joining the organization.
Organizer of the evening was Cathy Billings, art librarian and gallery manager. April Dammann will next speak on May 12 at Louis Stern Fine Arts in West Hollywood.