THE 42ND GENTLEMEN’S Haberdashery Fashion Show, where some of Orange County’s most notable male executives and community leaders modeled the latest styles of menswear, raised a record $650,000 for the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center.
A MODEL SPORTS BEACHWEAR AT THE 42ND ANNUAL GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY FASHION SHOW HELD ON APRIL 25. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORNERSTONE COMMUNICATIONS
An upbeat crowd of 400 filled the ballroom at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach for the April 25 fundraiser, cheering and shouting encouragement as the models strode down the runway.
Owned and operated by the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart, the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana organizes parish and school retreats, sacramental preparation, Advent and Lenten retreats, family retreats and other events designed for developing faith for children, youth, adults and families.
The Gentlemen’s Haberdashery began in 1982 and was started by then Fifth District supervisor Thomas Riley and his wife Emma Jane and was continued over the years by Tony Moiso, chairman and chief executive officer of Rancho Mission Viejo Company and his wife Melinda.
“We’re grateful for the people themselves, for that personal relationship and friendship we have with them, and the mutual prayer support for each other,” said Sr. Paula Sawhill of the Society for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who serves as the coordinator of the Gentlemen’s Haberdashery.
CLOSE TO 40 ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS VOLUNTEERED TO BE MODELS FOR A DAY AT THE 42ND ANNUAL GENTLEMEN’S HABERDASHERY FASHION SHOW HELD ON APRIL 25.
The event has raised millions over the years to support the ongoing operations of the retreat center and retreat camp at Big Bear Lake.
“It’s essential for us to keep the doors open,” Sr. Paula said. “We charge for the retreats, but we don’t charge enough to cover all the expenses because we want to make it accessible to everybody.”
The theme for this year’s event was “Hearts of Joy.”
“Our goal each year is to keep this event fun and always be looking for ways to make it different and better,” said Jeremy Laster (president of Rancho Mission Viejo), who served as the event chairperson, along with his wife, Frandy. “This is a joyful event. The kids are joyful, the sisters are joyful and we should all be joyful for all the blessings in our lives and how lucky we all are.”
Among the 40-plus models were presidents from three Orange County Catholic high schools: Michael Brennan, president of Mater Dei; Rich Meyer, president of JSerra Catholic High School; and Santa Margarita Catholic High School president Andy Sulick.
Other notable models were Jim Hartigan, Santa Margarita assistant principal and former Eagles football coach; Scott Melvin, executive director of advancement at Mater Dei; and Chris Ledyard, JSerra’s athletic director.
The invocation was delivered by Fr. Cheeyoon Chun, parochial vicar at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange.
Fr. Steve Sallot, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, gave the blessing.
The fashion show was divided into five segments, each featuring models sporting styles from men’s fashion retailer, Gary’s of Newport Beach.
An 18-member committee also helps plan the event.
The retreat center has been in operation in south Santa Ana for 46 years and serves more than 12,000 attendees annually.
It is located at the site of the former Borchard Farm. The family donated the ranch to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, then transferred it to the Diocese of Orange and eventually to the sisters.
To learn more, visit joyfulapostolate.org