As any frequent reader of my essays can attest, I love bragging on the accomplishments of my friends.  So, it’ll come as no surprise to read the heap of praise I’m about to unload at the feet of Dena duBoef-Roth, Tami Hance, and Nicole Parry – a triumphant triumvirate if ever there was one.  Lemme back up a second and set the scene.

It’s 2017, and so quietly that barely a lunching lady might notice; the quartet at the helm of Nathan Adelson Hospice’s annual Flair for Care benefit – Susan Molasky, Jane Schorr, Beth Weinberger, and Sharon Bader-Jenkins – were passing the baton (in this case, Las Vegas’ most successful annual philanthropic daytime affair; with a cocktail reception, a runway presentation from a premiere fashion designer, and a tasty lunch, at the end of which commences the expansive raffle brimming with fine jewelry, luxurious accessories, and memorable experiences).  And Mmes. DuBoef-Roth, Hance, and Perry, after graciously so accepting; took-up the mantle and ran!

After a brief Marchesa-moment, the decision was made to stage a multi-brand presentation, featuring the designers of Wynn Collection; and from where I was seated (next to the catwalk, getting some full-frontal fashion…), it was executed magnificently. 

What we were presented, on Saturday, May 19th, in the Lafitte Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas, was a seamless succession of capsule collection – painstakingly curated by Alexandra Vasquez (Wynn’s Senior Retail Buyer) – from Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Vicedomini, Pamella Roland, MK Grayse, Nicole Miller, self-portrait, Hervé Léger, Yigal Azrouël, Jason Wu, Victoria Beckham, Reem Acra, Naeem Khan, and Elie Saab. 

My favorite looks (as seen in the slideshow, above) included the three looks by Naeem Khan* – a strapless dress with floral appliques, a pale pink dress and coat in beaded lace, and a multi-tiered dress in metallic lavender fringe (looks 24, 25, and 31 from Khan’s SS18 collection); Yigal Azrouël’s fun-and-flirty floral pleated handkerchief dress with asymmetrical hem (look 6, from the charming Israeli surfer’s PF18 collection); a pair of luxe FW18 looks from MK Grayse, including a stingray-pavé three-quarter sleeve scoop-neck gown paired with a fox fur coat, and a disco-centric bedazzled jumpsuit with a chiffon flutter-sleeve (the ladies Gray have reteamed for the first time, since departing St. John Knits); a sassy creature-of-the-night cocktail dress with yarn-embroidery and ostrich feathers by Elie Saab (the penultimate look from the Lebanese couturier’s FW18 ready-to-wear collection); Oscar de la Renta’s sensational spaghetti-strapped black cocktail dress with beaded shooting-stars perfect for summer by the shore (look 28 from designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim’s PF18 collection for the stately heritage brand); and Reem Acra’s sleek and oh-so-chic white bandeau top (look 16 from her PF18 collection) that Vasquez cleverly paired with a pair of black slacks.**

Later, after the fashions had been shown and dessert was being served, Robin Greenspun stood at the lectern, and eloquently memorialized her late mother, Muriel Stevens (one of the kindest Las Vegans, ever; Muriel was able to find the light in the most dire of circumstances); and the critical role that Hospice played, in her final days.

As the raffle winners’ names were drawn, and announced; cheers erupted from little pockets around the ballroom, from whichever table each winner was seated.  I didn’t win anything; but, as luck would have it, I was seated next to my pal, Abbie Friedman, who won so many things that she gave me one of hers (a helicopter ride over the Strip!!!).  Thanks, Abbie!

And while I’m thanking people, by way of concluding, I’d like to thank Vanessa and Tom Breitling, for having the wisdom to hold their daughter’s communion, that afternoon; thereby providing an empty seat for me, at the Tiberti/Fertitta table! 

Meanwhile, if you wanna peruse the fashions shown that afternoon, you needn’t fly to Beirut, or even Burbank, for that matter.  Nope.  Just get yourself down to Wynn Collection (on the Fairway Esplanade at Wynn Las Vegas, just past Bijan, Designer for Men, across from the Terrace Pointe Café)…  They’ve got you covered.

Flair for Care Luncheon/Fashion Show
Nathan Adelson Hospice
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#NAHospice

[Editor’s Notes: *This trio of looks by Naeem Khan was inspired by Anna Pavlova – prima ballerina of the Imperial Russian Ballet and Sergei Diahgilev’s Ballets Russes, known for creating the role of The Dying Swan – and the famed Russian dancer's love of India, where she toured in 1922, and again in 1928 // **While Acra showed it with a maxi-skirt, in her Pre-Fall 2018 lookbook; Vasquez opted to pair the top with a sleek pair of black slacks, which looked so much more fierce and streamlined!!