‘Tis the season: Hooray for Hollywood at Soroptimist Holiday Fashion Show
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: December 07, 2012
It was hooray for Hollywood and the festive season when Soroptimist International of Santa Paula staged their “Fashionable Films: Holiday Fashion Show” December 1 at the Masonic Temple. Tables were decorated by Soroptimists and their supporters to reflect a variety of films and favorite personalities.
For Ann Perez, “Alice in Wonderland” was the only way to go with a table decorated for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party down to what she noted is “my mismatched china!” There were also the signature little “Eat Me” cakes that started Alice on her adventures in Wonderland, and several of Perez’s guests mirrored the efforts of their hostess and wore elaborate costumes. Soroptimist Perez said her top-hat wearing son Jordan so enjoys the atmosphere of the annual fashion show, “He said he wants to grow up to be a Soroptimister!”
Pumpkin dip for gingerbread would have been just something Lucille Ball would have made, and Maria Bombara’s table showed her devotion to the star. Bombara’s decorations included Lucy dolls, character plates, heart chargers and other memorabilia to show “Yes, I Love Lucy!”
A rich traditional Christmas was the table created by Soroptimist Hope Arellano, whose hostess duties had to be balanced with being the show runner for the models. But it was the wine country “Sideways” for Soroptimist Melanie Binsley, who was an elegantly dressed sommelier down to the traditional tastevin.
The Batman table was the creation of “Soroptimister” Carlos Juarez, whose wife Heidi Juarez is the organization’s president. Juarez used one of his vintage lunch boxes to help pay homage to the Caped Crusader.
Heidi Juarez’s table celebrated “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and guest Calla Dominguez was admiring the handcrafted wine glasses created by Carlos from Mason jars and candlestick holders, complete with lids. “I remember,” Dominguez said, “when they were just used for canning!”
Soroptimist Lupe Barrozo said it was the influence of her daughter Mia that they were enjoying the fashion show at a princess fantasy “Cinderella” table. And spite of a “peg leg” caused by recent surgery, Soroptimist Judy McCarthy was “Arrrgh” dressed-up and ready to go with lady aviator guests at her “Pirates of the Caribbean” table.
It was Pink Ladies time for Soroptimist Cindy Jordan, whose “Grease” themed table was a tableau to the 1950s and the film she’s loved “since I was a kid.... I picked the best moments in the movie” for decorating.
Whether “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” or “Under the Tuscan Sun,” “The Big Lebowski” or even “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” the only thing that could get the guests away from admiring the tables was the Chinese Raffle and Silent Auction where dozens of prizes were featured. But you can’t enter a raffle without a ticket, and members of the Santa Paula Police Explorers, Reserves and Citizen Patrol were on hand to help with the sales.
The luncheon, catered by Hozy’s, was served by Isbell Middle School students. Donna Nelson and the Isbell Condor Chorus offered holiday entertainment before President Juarez welcomed the crowd.
Then it was time for fashions, with casual, evening and athletic wear from Macy’s, Kmart and Curves as well as accessories from The Best of VC Marketplace, bringing “oohs” and “aahs” of appreciation from the audience. Also appreciated were tuxedoed escorts Carlos Juarez and newly elected Councilman Martin Hernandez. “Dirty Rose Creates” provided plenty of fun and fabulous hair fashions for many of the ladies - and one small gent - that modeled.
Taking gaily to the runway and gentle ribbing from moderator Peggy Kelly, the models twirled and swirled and in the case of Curves owner Laura Teague and client Kathy Garcia flexed and jumped. Models Elesha Aguirre, Maria Bombara, Kathy Garcia, Olivia Newton, Jennifer Rios, Peggy Russell, and Laura Teague showed off their best moves, while the younger set - represented by “tweener” Jasmine “Jassie” Ayala, Sierra Perez, Elena Tamayo and smaller divas Daisy Arellano and Amber Grace Wineman as well as boy wonder David Arellano - showed great fashion sense.
The “Art of Giving” is Juarez’s theme for her term as SISP president, and she said all proceeds form the event will be given to various programs and activities including scholarships and opportunity grants.
