Feature

GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY TURNS 41 WITH STYLE

By MEG WATERS     5/31/2023

For 41 years, the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus have worked a “miracle” of sorts.

SR. PAULA SAWHILL ADDRESSES ATTENDEES DURING THE 41ST ANNUAL GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY HELP ON APRIL 27.

The annual Gentlemen’s Haberdashery, which supports the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana, has transformed Orange County development, finance and construction executives into runway models, a journey many of the participants call an “out of body” experience.

THE RIGHT REVEREND EUGENE J. HAYES OF ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY IS PICTURED WITH HABERDASHERY CO-CHAIRS FRANDY AND JEREMY LASTER

They love it.

This year, the models strutted down the catwalk at the Balboa Bay Resort, to raise funds for the center.

Mitch Perkin, with JES Engineering Contractors, has been walking the walk for the past nine years.

“What keeps me coming back is the opportunity to it gives me to get out of my comfort zone,” he said. “It’s definitely not like engineering.”

Matt Davenport, Chief Encouragement Officer for Monarch Environmental, would ordinarily spend his afternoons developing horticultural and water management systems for clients, but for the past five years he has stepped out of his field boots once a year and onto the runway.

STEVE ADAMS OF PACIFIC COAST NURSERY DANCES ON THE RUNWAY DURING THE 41ST ANNUAL GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY ON APRIL 27.

“I was nervous when I first started, but I found it’s a great time and creative too,” he said.

The annual Gentlemen’s Haberdashery began in 1982 as the brainchild of then “Fabulous Fifth District” supervisor, the late Thomas Riley and his wife Emma Jane, as well as Tony Moiso, president of Rancho Mission Viejo Company and his wife Melinda. Over the years the event has raised millions to support the construction and ongoing operations of the Heart of Jesus retreat center in Santa Ana.

Today, the event attracted close to 400 spectators, 43 models and six men’s retailers.

A MODEL WALKS THE RUNWAY DURING THE 41ST ANNUAL GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY ON APRIL 27. PHOTOS BY COLIN HORAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

Sr. Paula Sawhill, coordinator of the event, noted that this year’s event raised $525,000. It continues to be the most important revenue source for the operation of the center.

“The highlight for me is working with all the people who love and support our work,” said Sr. Paula. “They make the retreat center possible, and I love working with them to help others and their tremendous generosity.”

This year’s co-chairs were Jeremy Laster and his wife Frandy. Jeremy Laster is president of Rancho Mission Viejo and noted how important it is to help out.

“This event has been a part of our lives for the past 41 years,” he said. “All six of our children have attended retreats at the center and we are very grateful for the opportunity for them to have a faith-building experience.”

One of the highlights of the event was a musical “thank you” by 50 members of the Sacred Heart Kid’s Club. The Kid’s Club is a special Catholic faith-building group for grades 3-8. Every year the Kids Club members serenade the audience and write personal thank-you notes for every participant.

For the fashion devotees among the guests, it seems the blue suit was the on-trend attire for men, with the notable exception of fashion-forward guest Patrick Ortiz who sported a yellow and blue pinstriped sportscoat and matching yellow tie along with Fr. Kevin Sweeny, retired Navy and Marine Corps Chaplin and current pastor of St. Vincent DePaul parish in Huntington Beach – who was squared away in his Roman Collar. The sisters were elegant as always in their crisp white suits.

The retreat center is located at the site of the former Borchard Farm in Santa Ana. The family donated the ranch to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and it was transferred to the Diocese of Orange and eventually to the sisters. With the help of funds raised through the Haberdashery, the sisters were able to break ground on the retreat center in 1990 and open in January 1992.

The retailers who participated in this year’s event include Garys Newport Beach, J. Hilburn, Olivia’s Closet, Travis Mathew, Toes on the Nose and Wildfire Mercantile. Along with the Lasters, the event was co-chaired by Trina and Marc Lamkin. Honorary chairs were Melinda and Tony Moiso as well as Eden and George O’Connell.

The event committee included Marnie Bloom, Nicole Brown, John Christensen, Melanie Salata-Fitch, Emmy Lou Jolly-Vann, Dan Kelly, Leann Lawson, Sienna Nelson, Brady O’Connell, Sr. Micaela Ramirez, Vania Roberts, Sr. Paula Sawhill, Megan Sedeque, Nancy Silver, Adrianne Taylor and Stephanie Walker.

Finally, the dashing models included Gavin Reid, Mike “MJ” Johnston, Caleb Walker, Matt Davenport, Armando Vilchez, Keith Slattery, Tyler Holst, Akin Smith, Todd Kurtz, Brent Freese, Mitch Perkin, Aron Taylor, Kyle Nelson, Jacque Hill, Eddie Ollman, Steve Adams, Mark Seaton, Scott Emery, Dutch Schotemeyer, Paul Tetzloff, TC Millington, Michael Brennan, Frank McManus, Larry Ryan, Zachery Mueting, Michael Block, Nathan Owens, Stephan Jasper, Christ Harrington, Russ Abdula, Brady O’Connell, Kevin O’Connell, Stephen Holte, Andy Sulick, Sergio Muniz, Grant Edgecomb, Robin Martindale, Eric Mauldin, Rich Holt, Dave Riemann, Vic Illig, Harrison Taylor and Dan Almquist.