“Who are you wearing?” was the question of the day at the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club’s Runway 2015 on Tuesday, March 3. The annual fashion show is a 40-year tradition at the PPWC.
More than a dozen local VIPs hit the catwalk wearing up-to-the-minute trends from BOCA, BOCA Man and Vivian’s Boutique. Bling was provided by Flash Gallery Jewelry.
Vivian Foster, who owns her namesake boutique on Via de la Paz, took the stage to emcee the show.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
The male models, decked out in looks from BOCA Man, included Caruso Affiliated’s Rick Lemmo, the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce executive director Arnie Wishnick, local chiropractor Dr. Shannon Watson and Gelson’s Rigo Manzanares.
Crowd-pleaser Lemmo, who hit the runway in a ‘casual Friday’ ensemble, said he was thrilled to be a part of the big event, but admitted, “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Lemmo, who said he tried on four or five looks before finding the perfect one, added, “The people at BOCA Man and Denise from BOCA were so sweet.”
Wishnick rocked a black-on-black suit and tie while Watson and Manzaneres sported casual weekend looks.
The women wore a variety of looks from everyday chic to Oscar-worthy gowns.
Caruso Affiliated’s effervescent Sarah Ketelhut, who became a member of the Woman’s Club last year, shined in two looks from BOCA – a trendy maxi dress adorned with a unique body necklace from Flash Gallery and a silhouette-skimming black leather tank over a breezy black-and-white knee-length skirt.
The Palisades-Malibu YMCA’s Carol Pfannkuche showed off a perfect-for-any-occasion striped shirtdress from BOCA.
Brooke King, who manages the pool at Palisades High School, was swimming in applause as she hit the catwalk in a black knee-length skirt and bold graphic sweater with peek-a-boo shoulder slits from Vivian’s.
Oohs and ahs could be heard in the room when a sparkly fuchsia strapless, floor-length gown from Vivian’s sashayed down the runway.
Foster announced that she has been helping actresses find red-carpet gowns for many years.
Other looks that earned enthusiastic applause from the 100-plus attendees included cropped white jeans topped by a silk tank and a seafoam green cardigan from BOCA and flared velvet bell-bottoms and a must-have basic black tank with a flowy, brightly patterned chiffon top from Vivian’s.
The fashion show luncheon was catered by Taste and included a raffle for several prizes, including gift certificates for Drybar, P2 and BOCA, as well as several gift baskets and a Nutribullet.
A ‘money hat’ created by member Jane George was awarded to the winner of a scratch-off game.
The Clubhouse, which is undergoing renovations, came alive with floral decorations created by PPWC member Stephanie Smith and music performed by Greg Alper.
On a more bittersweet note, the fashion show marked the final official event for PPWC president Terri Lyman who will be handing over the reins next month.
“This has been one of the most rewarding and exciting – and hardest – experiences of my life,” Lyman said. “We’ve embarked on this major renovation project to bring this Clubhouse to the community for generations to come, and I’m really proud to have helped launch that.”
See more photos of the ‘Runway 2015’ fashion show in the photo essay on page 9 in the Pali Life section of this issue.
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