In-store reception at Louis Vuitton has big turnout

A triad of formidable forces joined together last week for an

in-store cocktail reception at South Coast Plaza that drew more than

500 guests, creating a major buzz all over the retail center. Louis

Vuitton, W Magazine and Angelitos de Oro, a support group of Big

Brothers/ Big Sisters Orange County invited their guests to “a

special journey through time.”

Vuitton set up a garden maze in the Jewel Court of South Coast

Plaza featuring vignettes of Louis Vuitton products of the 19th and

20th centuries. After a stroll through the historical gardens, guests

were directed to the Vuitton boutique and greeted by waiters passing

individual Moet Chandon splits of champagne with corks removed and

straws in place.

Newport’s lovely Carolyn Garrett, president of Angelitos welcomed

the midweek crowd that filled the large retail store. Robert Celio,

director of the South Coast Plaza Vuitton store, joined Kate Eastman,

Bonnie McClellan, Marilyn Wooten and Laraine Eggleston assisting with

the hostessing and organizing duties.

The in-store cocktail party was actually a pre-event for the

Angelitos’ major fund-raiser set for fall. It’s called “The Angelitos

Card,” which will be a valuable discount holiday shopping card to be

used at major South Coast Plaza stores Nov. 6 to 10.

The card may be purchased with funds raised from the sale of the

card going to Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. Then, it’s shop till you

drop on the specified dates with cardholders receiving discounts on

their favorite holiday merchandise.

Angelitos de Oro was founded in 1961 by Robert Guggenheim. To

date, it has raised nearly $3 million for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of

Orange County. Considering that by charter there are only 55 members

of the organization, the financial numbers are even more impressive.

The crowd at Vuitton was extremely upbeat including the presence

of Newport’s formidable Catherine Thyen. The talk of the town, the

woman in the spotlight, Beverly Ray, overseeing the gala re-opening

of the venerable Balboa Bay Club & Resort this week, was also on

hand. Glamorous Cerise Feeley was there, as was the chic Elizabeth

Segerstrom on the arm of her community leader husband, Henry

Segerstrom.

Vuitton not only hosted the evening, it donated 20% of business

that evening to Angelitos. Sales were brisk, with orders piling high

for the new summer styles from the French design house. One bag is so

popular, the store will only take names and credit card numbers with

no promise of delivery. When you must have the proper bag, you simply

must have it.

For more information on the Angelitos Card, please call the

Angelitos de Oro office at (949) 642-9883.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.