Fall '09 Preview With Ferretti and the C.H.I.P.S.
A cocktail party and luncheon at the luxurious Montage Beverly Hills was the scene for the May 6 Colleague Helpers in Philanthropic Service 10th annual spring luncheon and Alberta Ferretti fashion show. Celebs and socialites—including Marisa Tomei, Julie Benz and Nicky Hilton—turned out for the group’s annual event, which benefits the Children’s Institute Inc.
Adrienne K. Lee, president of the C.H.I.P.S., welcomed guests, and Joseph Pelayo of the Los Angeles Police Department spoke of the importance of Children’s Institute Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists children and families affected by violence, child abuse, neglect and domestic violence. The C.H.I.P.S. was founded in 1966 to support CII.
“Thank you for joining me today,” Ferretti said. “This is a big honor for me. Today is a very big emotion for me because I’m here for a very good cause—the C.H.I.P.S. and children.” Past honorees include Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana and Diane Von Furstenberg.
The designer presented her Fall ’09 collection, and there were plenty of sophisticated options for the well-heeled ladies in the crowd. It was a play on textures and surface treatments, and Ferretti showed her deft hand with fabrications mixing silk chiffon, lace, leather and wool. She played with color-blocking themes and the juxtaposition of masculine meets feminine with tailored silhouettes and soft ruffles and trims. There was a peacock-blue dress with tiers of metallic lace, lurex and velvet and an ultra-luxe multi-colored stripe fox coat with full purple boucle knit sleeves. Standouts included a charcoal-gray tweed dress with pearl and metal-encrusted shoulders, a shimmery sequin dress with knit sleeves, and a black leather turtleneck dress that offered a sexy sophistication. The clothes aren’t available in the stores just yet, but Ferretti followed up the show with a trunk show at her recently opened boutique on Melrose Avenue. The designer will donate 15 percent of the proceeds from the trunk show to benefit the cause. —N. Jayne Seward
