The Junior League of San Francisco (JLSF) pulled off yet another delightful fashion show on Saturday. In two events, a lunch show and a dinner show, the Fairmont was packed with supporters of the League and its programs - the Bring Me a Book Foundation, Compass Community Services, Homeless Prenatal Program, International Rescue Committee, La Casa de las Madres, and Sequoia Healthy Start.
Models, all League members and family, walked the runway coached by Charleston Pierce of Look Models and wearing clothes from Macy's (mostly American designers) including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Kenneth Cole, Elie Tahari, and a special section by local designer, Julie Chaiken (as worn by model, top left). This was the 20th year Macy's has sponsored the show and the 82nd year the show has been produced by the League. It was my fourth time attending since 2001, and so far every show has been different and fun.
As the Junior League evolves through time, there is now a focus on taking the arcane image of League members as ladies who lunch, wearing white gloves and pearls, to a diverse group of talented, hard-working, hands-on community members devoted to helping others.
I have been in local Leagues now for 6 years, starting with the JLSF, and I can say the new motto is very true. Over the 7 years I've attended shows, the atmosphere has changed slightly. My first show was on a weekday and the luncheon attire was mostly suits. This time, the Saturday afternoon show goers were more casual, in floral dresses, black and white ensembles, and a few hats. One thing that has not changed - color. I love seeing the color that comes out both on and off the runway for this event.
Before both shows, a silent auction occurred at the Fairmont, providing a variety of photo packages, trips, wining and dining sets, theatre tickets, art and more. And to truly illustrate how much the League has changed, one of the in-kind donors was Good Vibrations. (That must have been one of the evening silent auction items - I didn't see it at the lunch.) The lunch live auction included a spa weekend, a Dacor kitchen shopping spree, and a diamond Bedat watch.
The lunch menu included an organic greens salad with self-serve toppings including chicken, salmon, berries and nuts. Wine and chocolates were also provided. For dinner, beef tenderloin and mushroom ragout were served, with tarts for dessert.
"The dinner event was fun, exciting, and showed wearable examples of Spring fashions from vacation to evening wear," noted Sherri Dohemann, a member of the Junior League of Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula who came up for the evening show. The dinner live auction included a special autographed guitar auctioned by Chris Isaak. There was also a paddle raise during each show just for cash donations to the League programs - approx. $5000 was raised in the afternoon paddle raise alone.
I caught up with Stacey Fleece, the 2007-2008 Junior League President, who commented that "it's so much work, so much time, and when you show up Saturday morning, it's so worth it." I also spoke with Kimberly Hooker, Fashion Show Chair, before the luncheon show. She's been involved in the show for 10 years and a model for four, so it was certainly fitting she would run it this year. The look on her face while watching the children modeling was pure joy, and she certainly deserves it after all of her hard work. "It's such a wonderful tradition," she said. With a committee of 70-80 people and over a year going into planning for each show, they deserve to smile at the results.
For the show itself, vibrant color flowed throughout. Women models led the show, followed by the children, teens, men, the featured Chaiken set (including a brief bow from Julie Chaiken), and then - for a unique twist, singing duo Ryan Dan performed a song. As always a formal selection rounded out the collections, this year themed for the Black & White Ball and set to the music of Seal, who will be performing at this year's Bash Beyond the Ball. The black and white gowns and tuxedos stunned the crowd and capped off the show well.
For an event that has raised millions over its 82 years in an organization that has raised over $22 million for community charities and dedicated over 6 million volunteer hours in its 95 years, there's a lot to celebrate. Hats off to another success.
Stay tuned for more event photos here and I'm guessing additional party pix will be in the Sunday Chronicle and the Nob Hill Gazette.
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Sarah Granger, SFBayStyle Founder & Editor-in-Chief, covers fashion, arts and events, and she's been a member of local Junior Leagues since 2002.
Photos by Drew Altizer.
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