St. Vincent’s 14th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon
St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara held its 14th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon fundraiser on Saturday, November 30 – and for the 3rd year it was held at the Rosewood Miramar Beach. This annual event is always sold out and is traditionally held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
The event is sponsored by Claudia Lash and Pat Lupo, who founded the event in 2010. Lash and Lupo craft approximately 100 holiday themed gift baskets for the silent auction. All proceeds fund St. Vincent’s Family Strengthening Program, which was established in 1996 and provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to support at-risk, low-income mothers and children.
In charge of the event is St. Vincent’s CEO and President Rosa Paredes. Her event team was Development Manager and Archivist Sergey Salushchev, Vice President of Early Childhood Education and Student Enrichment Services Dr. Maryam Davodi-Far, St. Vincents SB staff, students from Bishop Diego High School, volunteers from the SB Newcomers Club, and event organizer Dalina Michaels.
VIPs seen at the event were the Daughters of Charity – Sister Arthur Gordon, Sr. Maria Hoa Nguyen, Sr. Paule Freeburg, Sr. Barbara Dugan, Sr. Sharon M. Ninteman, and Sr. Oanh Tran – Fr. Larry Gosselin, Fr. John Hardin, Fr. Dan Lackie, Adalee Paredes, Jessica Paredes-Ulloa, Judy Borgatello and Louise Borgatello of MarBorg Industries, Emily Lash, Michelle Lash, Carol Lupo, past Presidente Director for Old Spanish Days Stephanie Petlow, former OSD Fiesta La Presidente Denise Sanford, former OSD Junior Spirit and St. Barbara Jeanine Robles-Wright, Community Engagement Manager of Hospice SB and board member for Villa Caridad at St. Vincent’s Jeanne West, Casa Dorinda Board Member and former VNA Health ED Katina Zaninovich, and Communications Committee Women’s Fund SB Kerry Parker.
The Masters of Ceremonies were Emmy, Edward R. Murrow and Golden Mike award-winning News Channel 3-12 reporter and weekend anchor, Tracy Lehr, in a brilliant sequined silver tea dress and matching shoes, along with Drew “Mr. Santa Barbara” Wakefield. They thanked the co-chairs Lupo and Lash, and event sponsors – the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, American Riviera Bank, Citizens Bank, Emma Rose Floral, Wildflower Women, and LOU Los Olivos.
St. Vincent’s VP of Mission & Archives Sister Arthur Gordon gave the blessing and said, “Thank you on behalf of the Daughters of Charity who founded St. Vincent’s in 1858. You being here and supporting us tells us that your belief in what we are doing is right.”
Following the luncheon, Paredes welcomed and thanked the guests, the sponsors, and her team. She acknowledged the Daughters of Charity who founded the organization and set up programs to care for children, low-income families, and seniors in the Santa Barbara area since 1858. “You are part of the legacy of St. Vincent’s SB and all our programs,” Paredes said. “Today the fundraiser is for our Family Strengthening Program which empowers vulnerable mothers with young children to thrive. The program creates a nurturing environment for these families by providing transitional housing on St. Vincent’s campus, licensed counseling and community support to improve their parenting skills, help with their education, child development, career direction – and turning their lives around.”
She introduced a graduate of the program, Maria, who presented her story about how the program helped her gain guardianship of her son, get a driver’s license, attend paralegal school and go on to law school. Guests were invited to participate in the Adopt a Family Appeal instead of an Ask.
Next, the fashion show was full on with celebrity event designer-producer and fashionista, Leanna Drammer, the founder and owner of LOU Los Olivos. She produced DTLA Fashion Week in 2009, launched the emerging designer competition, worked on the Beverly Hills Fashion Festival, and served on the board for Fashion Group International of L.A. Her models at the event were owner of Leonardo’s Restaurant Solvang Leonardo Curti, Amy Curti, Beka Malloy, Cassandra Plavoukos, Zoi Plavoukos, Greg Simon, Hilda Simon, and Sasha Carter. Designer brands shown included John Varvatos, Rag & Bone, custom Louis Verdad, Veronica Beard Duane and Kato Pen. Drammer also donated a Carmen Sol tote with resort wear by Sonia swimsuit and flipflops worth over $700, won in the raffle by Denise Sanford.
For the children’s fashion, Amber Lease, owner of Wildflower Women Boutique, showed kids clothing for both boys and girls from her Sandbox Kids collection. Following the fashion show was the exciting raffle drawing and special gift recognitions.
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