At Paris’ Fashion Week while British designer of Céline, Phoebe Philo, was questioned about her thoughts on being the most copied fashion designer in the industry, The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge Ladies Group held their own 38th annual fashion show, “Fashion Fiesta”. “Fashion Fiesta” raised over $5,000 for the Elks Lodge charities.
Fashion Model Carol Bryan
Chairman of the show was Jinnae Wessling with decorations and other services provided by Stephanie Bongartz, Pat Ohman, Barbara Martino, Sandy Jacobs, Carol Glover, Mary Holohan, Rosemary Miller and Raffle Chairman, Donna Wild.
Fashion Model Pat Ohman, Elks Ladies Publicity
Before the gala started, the ladies enjoyed shopping at several fashion merchant stands that were set up in the Lodge’s “Bird Room”. Dressed in tuxedos, refreshments were served to the sold out crowd by Past Exalted Rulers Hal Mattson, Jim Humphrey, Mike Holohan and Leading Knight Jason Spence.
Fashion Model Laura Lumley, Elks Ladies President
The ladies enjoyed a lunch of Chicken Veracruz, Rice del Rio, Black Beans and pecan turtle ice cream truffles. The lunches were served by Leeora Beck and Girl Scout Troop 261 to which the Elks Lodge donated $150.
The lunch was provided by an all volunteer crew led by Clint MacDonald with assistance from Past Exalted Rulers Pat Martino, Irene Romero and Gloria LeCouvre, Ron Bassolino, Jim Wessling, Bob Hauxhurst, Herb Kalkosch Eric Medves and Sydney Scott.
Fashion Model Carol Bryan
After lunch, the fashion show began. DJ and Lodge Organist Andy Costello provided music to add excitement and enhance the models walk down the runway. Olivia Balzarini from Chico’s, Caroline Witham from Draper’s & Damon’s and Patty Araujo from Bella Terra Woman described their respective fashions as they were modeled on the runway.
Elks Ladies that modeled the fashions were: Carol Bryan, Sandy Jacobs, Judy Longi, Georgine Pickering, Pat Ohman, Laura Lumley, Mary Ann Alvarez, Kyra Ytzen, Norma de Lerma and Linda Hauxhurst. The models were escorted to and retrieved from the foot of the runway by Past Exalted Rulers Mike Holohan, Jim Humphrey and Leading Knight Jason Spence.
Other Elks Lodge volunteers that created the show program, coordinated the dressing room, conducted the raffles and set up the stage runway were: Mary Holohan, Gail Reavis, Donna Wild, Cathy Poterack, Lorene Tierney, Diana Wilson, Harvey Ohman, Walter Root, Mike Cline, Jack Jacobs, Gil Martinez, Glen Pickering, Paul Miller and Jim Glover. Programs were printed and donated by ProType Plus Printing.
Other merchants and groups that supported this fashion show with program advertising or merchant stands were: Ralphs (Marguerite & La Paz), Peppino’s (Lake Forest), Pet Supply Warehouse, Variety International, Bongo Ink, Forest Lanes, ProType Plus Printing, Mary Kay Cosmetics (Tammy-Winslow Kencke), Miche Bag of O.C. (Ellen Bitters), Total Woman Gym & Day Spa (Laguna Hills), Andy Costello Bathtub Reglazing, Timeless Totes (Mary Ann Alvarez), Cookie Lee Jewelry (Sandy Prentiss), Ladies Charity Sewing Group, Lindy House Wholesale Gifts (Linda Pianta), Godiva Chocolates (Shops at Mission Viejo), Curves (Laguna Hills), Buffalo Wild Wings, Bella Terra (Patty Araujo), the Pampered Chef (Ann Young), Stella & Dot (Frances Mackay), bodypro.com, Howard’s Helping Hand and Nail Chateau (Laguna Hills).
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444;
Phone: (949) 830-3557
