Don't get in the way when the doors open on the River Oaks Country Club dining room for the Salvation Army Auxiliary's Reflection on Style post-lunch fashion free-for-all. The ladies hungry for incredible fashion bargains — while not quite doing the Filene's Basement rush — are intent on snagging the best of the lot from the pre-lunch fashion show of gently-used (some never worn) designer fashions.
Thanks to the efforts of couture chairs Rose Cullen, Linda McReynolds and Phoebe Tudor, there were plenty of tantalizing designer labels that moved from the catwalk to the sale racks on Tuesday.
The Chic Boutique was loaded with swell fashion offerings at crazy low prices.
Consider the Louis Vuitton coat (retail $18,000) offered for pennies on the dollar or the Chanel suits that were marked at several hundred dollars — all garnered from the closets of some of the city's best dressed women.
Fashion show maestro Lenny Matuszewski created more than 80 runway looks featuring the best of the donated designer garments. Even before these were moved into the dining room, the so-called Chic Boutique was loaded with swell fashion offerings at crazy low prices.
It was a great day for luncheon chair Carole Sharpe, for Chic Boutique chairs Debbie Coward Rogers and Harriet Hart Wallace and for Salvation Army Auxiliary president Rhonda Jones. The sellout luncheon and Chic Boutique sale brought in more than $500,000.
The proceeds continue to roll in at the Chic Boutique After Sale, where the remaining donated clothes are being sold at West Ave. That venture is chaired by Tara Conley and Maggie Smith.
The luncheon honored Jeanie Kilroy for her long-standing community service and philanthropy that has extended to many corners of the city. Among those rising in standing ovation for the honoree were Elise Joseph, Clare Glassell, Diane Lokey Farb, Cora Sue Mach, Sidney Faust, Sue Nan Cutsinger, Betty Hrncir, Janice McNair, Penny Loyd, Lilly Andress and loads more.
