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The Country Friends is gearing up for its annual Art of Fashion runway show and luncheon on Sept. 10 at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, partnering for the 22nd year with Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza, a leading international shopping destination. Co-chairs are Keilene “Kiki” Hayward and Irina Fenison with Karen Gregg Hoehn as honorary chair. KFMB-TV/News8 Anna Laurel serves as emcee
Janean Stripe, board president of the 72-year-old nonprofit, is proud to announce that Wells Fargo Bank is again the event’s premier “Haute Couture” sponsor. “We are so grateful for Wells Fargo’s continued commitment to the Art of Fashion, our major fundraiser,” said Stripe in a news release. “Money raised at the event supports dozens of San Diego County-based charitable groups which provide services to women, children, the elderly, military families and persons with disabilities.”
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa and Hotel Solea are “Catwalk Couture” sponsors. “Runway” sponsors include Deb and Les Cross, Karen and Robert Hoehn, Joyce Family Foundation, Lucia Capital Group, Mirandon Foundation for Hope, Paseo Rancho Santa Fe, Jeannie Ranglas, and Warren Family Foundation. Adah Almutairi is the “High Fashion” sponsor. “Fashionista” sponsors are Linda Block, Irina and Michael Fenison, Keilene and Michael Hayward, Elisa Jaime, Kerr Family Foundation, PNC Bank, Town & Country Event Rentals, Dr. Melanie Palm MD/The Art of Skin MD, and Dr. Sirius and Amber Yoo of SKY Facial Plastic Surgery, Inc. Dozens of Art of Fashion patrons have provided additional financial support, the news release stated.
Longtime sponsors Bertrand and Denise Hug of Rancho Santa Fe’s acclaimed Mille Fleurs restaurant are hosting “Starry, Starry Night,” a private, French-themed patron party and cocktail reception, chaired by Lezlie Reynales, to thank sponsors for their generosity. Ranch & Coast Magazine is again the main media partner, with Giving Back and Stroll Fairbanks as supporting media partners
The Art of Fashion begins at 10 a.m. on The Inn’s lawn with a champagne reception underwritten by Tamara Lafarga-Joseph and Linda Sansone and Associates, and light bites courtesy of Chef Roberto Ciacciofera of Colosseo Cucina Italiana and the Sydney Holland Foundation. Guests can browse South Coast Plaza mini-boutiques offering selections from A.P.C., Balmain, Camilla, Eres, Max Mara and Vitra Eyewear with 10 percent of sales donated to The Country Friends. A special opportunity drawing features diamond-and-rubellite drop earrings valued at $15,000 from Rancho Santa Fe’s John Matty, a treasured Art of Fashion sponsor. South Coast Plaza is donating a $2,500 gift card, valet parking for a year, and an annual pass to its ACCESS Suite. Additional items up for bids include handbags, hotel stays, getaways, gift certificates, experiences, and more, according to the news release.
Centerpiece of the event is a South Coast Plaza runway show featuring Balmain, Camilla, Eleventy, Eres, Ferragamo, Lanvin, Max Mara and Monique Lhuillier. A three-course luncheon follows on The Inn’s lawn curated by Executive Chef Patrick Ponsaty with wines courtesy of Rick and Stephanie Mirer of Mirror Napa Valley. Floral centerpieces, artfully designed by MJ Wittman of Fleuressence, are underwritten by Stephanie Wilbur. Additional Art of Fashion underwriters include Dr. Melanie Palm, Palma Boutique, and South Coast Plaza.
A live auction includes a three-night stay at the Five-Star Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos for up to four people, two nights at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas with dinner at Amaya restaurant, and a three-night getaway plus golf at a private country club in Palm Desert. Sam the Cooking Guy is donating a champagne brunch for eight. A “raise the paddle” features a dozen date nights — once a month for a year — donated by Steak 48 Del Mar. After the luncheon, guests are invited to “Sip, Shop, and Support,” a chance to continue shopping at South Coast Plaza boutiques, and raise a toast to <a href="https://todaytrendnews7.com/vogue-just-gave-another-nod-of-approval-to-the-tech-world/” title=”Vogue just gave another nod of approval to the tech world”>another successful Art of Fashion, the news release stated.
The event is always a sell out, so guests are encouraged to buy their tickets now by calling 760-828-2482, emailing assist@thecountryfriends.org or visiting thecountryfriends.org
