Fashion met the circus with spectacular results at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Guild's 23rd Annual Fashion Show on Nov. 11 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
More than 500 attendees enjoyed the "Under The Big Top" theme, with festive circus centerpieces that included fun favorites like cotton candy, caramel apples, and animal crackers, as well as a stage show that included three circus acts from Cirque Berserk.
Surprise guests at the event included
Sabrina Bryan ("Cheetah Girls") and
Mark Ballas of ABC's hit show "Dancing with the Stars," while fashion critic
Mr. Blackwell made his annual appearance.
"I wanted to create an event where everyone had fun. There are so many non-profit events at this time of year, I wanted to make sure people would want to spend their money to help Henry Mayo," said
Shelley Hann, who chaired the event with Tamara Levine. Approximately $40,000 was raised from the fashion show to benefit laboratory services at the hospital.
Dressed in circus finery herself, Hann kicked off the event by introducing Guild president
Virginia Hart, who welcomed "ringmaster"
Ed Masterson, a representative from assemblyman
Cameron Smyth's office.
Decked out in a dazzling sequined jacket and brandishing a whip, Masterson introduced the "chevaliers":
Alan Barbakow, DDS,
William Barritt,Jon Berman,
Don Boon,
Steve Chegwin,
David Cox,
Joel Cox,
Dell Goodrick, DDS,
Peter Goossens,
Alex Hafizi,
Moe Hafizi,Marshall Hann,
Calvin Hedman,
Tripp "Robert" Jones,
Jay King,
Jeff Levine,
Josh Levine,
Robert McBride,
Roland Pacheco,
Andrew Papazian,
Howard Pointer,
Klaus Price,
Doug Sedam,
Jack Shine,
Richard Soto,
Jeff Stein, DDS, and
Alan Weyand.
Celebrity mistress of ceremonies
Lora McLaughlin ("CBS Newspath") introduced the 2007-2008 Silver Rose Debutantes:
Chantalle Barritt,
Nicole Bergantino,
Charlotte Boon,
Rachel Cox,
Desiree Gravel,
Kimberly Hedman,
Ashley King,
Tatiana McBride,
Dominique Picker-Lombardo,
Kiara Price,
Nicole Ryan,
Stephanie Stein,
Shawnie Wise-Hawkins and
Jillian Tuso.
The chevaliers, many of whom were fathers and brothers to the debutantes, escorted the girls down the runway as they modeled gorgeous evening gowns from Margo's of Valencia.
"I like to support the hospital and really enjoy doing this show every year," said
Margo Miller.
Diana Vose, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation president, took the stage next to introduce
Terry Minassian, the 2007 breast cancer awareness spokeswoman. After a delicious lunch, the
Carin Holmenas-produced fashion show launched with an exciting circus act.
Then it was all about the clothes - stunning fall and winter fashions from Margo's. Neutrals, reds, purples, and fall colors such as pumpkin and sage dominated the runway, in fabrics ranging from leather to wool and cashmere.
Evening wear took on a more subtle tone at first, with models looking slinky in cream and pastel toned silks, until classic black and jewel-toned patterns took over.
At the end of the show, cocktail-clad models paid homage to
Robert Palmer's breakthrough "Simply Irresistible" video, until they were joined for a final stroll on the catwalk by male models from the community:
Greg Amsler,
Kyle Crawford,
Mark Lussier, M.D.,
Stephen Tako, and
Bob Hudson, chief financial officer of Henry Mayo.
"This is a fantastic fundraiser. I really enjoy being part of the Guild's efforts for the debutante program. I've seen how meaningful it has been to the debutantes over the years," Hudson said with a smile. "The funds raised are important, too."
For more information on the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Guild or Health Foundation, please call (661) 253-8082 or visit
www.henrymayo.com