When volunteers inaugurated the Salvation Army "Reflections on Style" fundraiser in 2005, they never imagined the success that they could achieve. The 2016 overflow luncheon at River Oaks Country Club started a fundraising effort that is expected to top $800,000.
Who knew that the amicable raid on the city's chicest closets could result in such a windfall for the Salvation Army? Who could imagine the fashionable ladies who lunch scooping up, dare we say it, second hand designer bargains with such glee?
Thanks to the work of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, the Tuesday event and subsequent Chic Boutique Showroom sales, as of Thursday evening, had garnered proceeds of $742,357. Of that, $265,357 came from the sale of gently-used and never-worn clothing and accessories.
Oh, how the sellout crowd of more than 500 swooned over the sable and leather stole, the Hermés Kelly bag, the full length fur, the gowns by Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier, the designer shoes, the fancy jewelery and so much more. This shop-til-you-drop event is easily one of the most popular events in town.
Applause, applause to luncheon chair Ginger Blanton and Chic Boutique co-chairs Maureen Higdon and Pam Sengelmann and Chic Boutique Showroom co-chairs Deborah Dunkum, Amanda Gelb and Kathy Lee.
The best of the hundreds of items were presented on the runway in a dreamy show masterfully crafted by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar. Highlight of the show was a magnificent, voluminous red gown designed for the event by Chloe Dao. As longtime Salvation Army board member Linda McReynolds noted, "A lot of what you see here is better than what you see in the stores today."
Indeed, with oodles of high-fashion ensembles from the likes of Susan Sarofim, Diane Lokey Farb, Cynthia Petrello and Phoebe Tudor, the fashionable pickings, as they say, were mighty fine.
Notables included luncheon honoree Jane Wise, auxiliary chair Diana "Stick" Delaup, Elise Joseph, Lilly Andress Pat Breen, Jenny Elkins, Rose Cullen, Alice Mosing, Cathy Cleary, Carol Sharpe, Renu Khator, Vicki West, Mary Lynn Marks, and Elizabeth Wareing.
Ginger Blanton, Stick Delaupe.
