Models don’t usually find themselves doing their little turn on the catwalk for an audience of the elderly, but later this month, that will be just the case. The fashion show will be just one part of one the most eagerly anticipated community events of the year.
On April 23, Heritage Pointe, a retirement community geared to cater to Jewish elders, will host its 22nd Annual Luncheon, Boutique and Fashion Show at the Marriott Newport Hotel and Spa in Fashion Island. The event will feature a gourmet lunch, exclusive fashion show and a variety of specialty booths. Los Angeles couture designer Lourdes Chavez, whose work has been shown in Palm Desert, Chicago and New York, will be back by popular demand to present her Spring 2012 collection.
Women planning to attend the luncheon will be pleased to hear that Ms. Chavez’s collection will once again be featured with smoldering male models. The vendor booths will offer a variety of merchandise from the latest in fashionable women’s clothing to exotic jewelry to children’s apparel to unique handbags and more.
“It’s just so much fun; I can’t begin to even explain it to you,” said Ellen Weiss, director of development at Heritage Pointe. “We sold out the first time last year, and it led to a gala that also sold out in November. We’ve got room for 450 people this year. The fashion show from LA is the whole lights-camera-action deal. Last year the male models came with dogs, so it was like a high-powered New York fashion show. The ladies loved it; there was a lot of whistling and cheering.”
The schedule for the luncheon allows for ample time to explore all that it has to offer. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for shopping, lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. and the fashion show will start at 1 p.m. Attendees will have until 3:30 p.m. to continue shopping.
“It’s like a shopping mall experience,” Weiss said of the vendor booths. “We have vendors coming from Vegas and LA, so people will be able to buy things here that they normally couldn’t. They’re going to cover all price ranges, and it’s going to be full of people having a great time. I can’t explain it well enough; whether you’re married, or your parents are living with us at Heritage Pointe, it’s just fun.”
The proceeds of the luncheon will go to Heritage Pointe’s Resident Assistance Fund, which provides financial support for about 20 percent who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford Heritage Pointe’s services.
“After last year’s luncheon, people were begging us not to do anything different the next year,” Weiss explained when asked about how the community received the luncheon. “‘Do it again, do it again,’ they were asking us. So it’s sort of like an encore performance. We received a lot of phone traffic asking when we were going to do it again; that’s something you never see with a charity.”
Based on the resounding success of last year’s luncheon, Chairman of the Luncheon Ellie Jaffy has advised that those interested should reserve early, as the event is sure to sell out.
The fashion show even comes with VIP treatment; luncheon attendees will be able to go backstage after the show and talk with the designer and models.
“It’s a fashion show where you don’t have to be Angelina Jolie to enjoy all it has to offer; you can just be you,” Weiss said. “We’re making New York Fashion Week accessible to our supporters, plus it raises good money and it’s a wonderful community event. It’s 450 women hanging out and having fun. It’s a really good feel, a good day.”
Even husbands, whether or not terribly they’re interested in a male fashion show, have an opportunity to be part of the event and feel-good atmosphere. There are plenty of spots for volunteers to be cashiers and escorts for the day, which, Weiss says, many husbands are happy to fill.
“The money this event raises allows us to [financially] help 20 to 25 percent of the people who live here; it’s not just a one time thing,” said Weiss. “When we say we take care of these residents, it’s not like we’re saying, ‘Well, we’ll see if we have money next year.’ We can’t do that. ‘Honor thy mother and father’ as Jewish tradition teaches, right?”
Readers interested in further information or requesting an invitation to the luncheon may call the Heritage Pointe Development Office at (949) 364 -0010.
The 22nd Annual
Heritage Pointe Luncheon,
Boutique & Fashion Show
Monday, April 23, 2012
Featured Designer: Lourdes Chavez
Boutique Opens: 9:30 a.m.
Luncheon Begins: 11:45 a.m.
Fashion Show: 1 p.m.
Newport Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
(Fashion Island)
900 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA
Self-parking included
Coco Chanel Patron: $1,000
Vera Wang Patron: $360
Donna Karan Patron: $236
Kate Spade Patron: $118
General Admission: $75
Next Generation Admission
(45 and under): $50
For more information, contact Heritage Pointe at (949) 364-0010
or pdavis@heritagepointe.org