THE CROWD -- b.w. cook

First came salad, then came fashion, then came lunch. The Harvesters, in

support of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, mixed the cards

at the seventh annual harvest luncheon and fashion show held at The Four

Seasons, Newport Beach.

“We all have such a good time at these events that last year the fashion

show didn’t start until two in the afternoon and many people had to

leave,” reported Harvester Ann Smyth. “So this year we decided to begin

with fashion and end with food,” added Smyth, under the auspices of the

adage that it is better to be fashionable than fed -- especially in a

crowd of hundreds of very well-dressed and shapely women, mostly thin and

30-something.

Chaired by Kathy Schoenbaum and Robin McMonigle and hosted by co-founders

of the Harvesters Jill Johnson-Tucker and Jennifer Van Bergh, the event

was again a major success.

Financially speaking, nearly $500,000 was raised for Second Harvest Food

Bank. Socially speaking, the Four Season’s ballroom was overflowing with

enthusiasm. It is the only event the Harvesters produce each and every

year in cooperation with South Coast Plaza, and in a very short period of

time has become one of the most influential luncheons on the circuit for

the young and upwardly mobile Orange Coast set.

The focal point of the soiree is the fashion presentation. A classy show

of multiple designer threads is fronted by the formidable South Coast

Plaza community liaison, Billur Wallerich (fondly known as the Turkish

Tornado).

Participants included Kenzo, Jil Sander, Alfred Dunhill, Joan and David,

Salvatore Ferragamo, St. John, Oilily, Gucci and MaxMara.

Fall and winter fashion was extremely friendly, with exceptional design

for women displayed on the Gucci and MaxMara models. Jil Sander remains

elegantly super-minimalist, and St. John showed off outstanding knits for

day and evening in keeping with its classic line.

As always, the Harvesters’ fashion parade included its share of male

models on the catwalk. And as always, the hooting hit a few high notes as

the men did the walk without talking the talk.

One dark and handsome gent, actually one of the older models, got most of

the attention. Brad Pitt and Leo DiCaprio look-alikes did not receive the

attention from the young crowd that was perhaps expected.

But the children modeling Oilily did. One of the highlights of the event

is the young boys and girls of Harvesters members walking the runway as

cameras flash and moms and some dads in the crowd sigh.

One of the mothers, Carmela Phillips, beamed with pride as her daughter

did a perfectly executed model’s turn on the runway to the sheer delight

of friends and luncheon guests alike.

“You know,” confessed Phillips, “we watch Elsa Klench every Saturday

morning on television. I think my child has been subliminally

influenced.”

The enormous silent auction was coordinated by Jeri McKenna and Wendy

Enkema, with co-founder Jennifer Van Bergh speaking to the crowd to

encourage them all to support the merchants who donated. Wise words from

a businesswoman who knows the importance of sharing the wealth in the

community.

Committee members deserving praise are Sherry Abbott, Merry Hagestad,

Carie Ross, Susan Bridgford, Allison Kearns, Jennifer Shaw, Teresa

Farell, Ann Moorhead, Judy Steele, Stephanie Grody, Teddie Ray, Sherry

Haber, Ellen Small, Nicole Thompson, Kathy Kelter, Georgina Smith and

Kathy Youngman.

In the crowd were pretty dentist Sherrie Worth, Dalia Lugo, Virginia

Pfau, Daryl Nelson, Elizabeth Martino, clothing designer Darcy Lee of

Cold as Ice and Pixie-Stardust lines, Sherry Smith, Barbie Knapp and Lori

Mikles.

One very attractive young woman, Kay Bright, was offended by the use of

fur on some of the fashions. A serious table discussion ensued, putting

animal rights issues front and center as luncheon was served.

“In this day and age, we have no reason to kill animals for their fur in

order to stay warm. Further, some of the methods of trapping remain

inhumane and are not policed,” offered Bright, citing recent reports from

China and other parts of the world, where investigation into the fur

industry has revealed that unscrupulous manufacturers are even using dog

and cat pelts to create inexpensive products for export.

In response, it was noted that the fur on the fashion shown by the models

was in some cases faux, with the genuine trim consisting of pelts raised

for use in fashion, such as mink. Endangered and wild animal pelts were

not part of the presentation.

The issue is emotional as well as real, and it was most appropriate as a

matter of debate during the proceedings. After all, the hundreds of gals

in attendance are at the party for a serious purpose -- to feed the

hungry. So a little serious conversation in the middle of the fun is

warranted.

As always, the Four Seasons did a first-class job of serving the luncheon

that began with a mixed green salad with Anjou pear and candied pecans;

followed by a pasta dish of mushroom ravioli with asparagus; and

finalized with a lemon tart for dessert.

Other Harvesters in support of the event were Debbi Elliot, Shelley O

Hill, Barbara Fox Stoner, Terry Callahan, Paula Cole, Caroline Davenport,

Sheryl Anderson, and Anissa Gurnee to name only a few.

“We are really proud of this group, and we do make a difference,” Smyth

said. Raising nearly half a million dollars for hunger at one luncheon

makes an enormous difference.

* B.W. COOK’s column appears every Thursday and Saturday.