For the past 48 years, the League to Save Lake Tahoe has partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue to throw a charity fundraiser event. Last Saturday, August 5 was the first time in the event’s history that over $1 million was raised to keep the gorgeous lake a brilliant blue. For the 22 year in a row, the show featured gorgeous runway looks from Oscar de la Renta’s fashion house. (Before de la Renta, American designer Bill Blass showed his loyal clients and friends looks at the event.) Of the historic landmark celebration, Ron Barajas, the vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue San Francisco, said, “At Saks Fifth Avenue, we take great pride in our community partnerships. It has been a pleasure to grow our partnership with the League to Save Lake Tahoe for the last 48 years later to help keep Lake Tahoe blue.”
Fernando Garcia, Eliza Bolen, Laura Kim, and Alex Bolen
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
The luncheon took place at the private residence of the Schumacher’s in Incline Village directly adjacent to the lake’s shoreline. The event included three parts: the highly anticipated runway show, a live auction presented by Robbie Gordy of Christie’s, and a backstage shopping opportunity. Oscar de La Renta’s new creative directors, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, introduced the 2018 Resort collection alongside the company’s CEO, Alex Bolen, and his wife ,Eliza. The show consisted of 70 stunning looks, including outwear such as trench coats, wide leg denim, luxurious evening gowns, and nautical knits. Pops of color and a playful jungle motif were also prominent.
The runway
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
650 people filled the Schumacher’s spacious backyard. Notable attended were the fashion show chairs Barbara Brown, Edith Tobin, Jessica Hickingbotham, Heidi Cary, and Krista Giovara, along with SF socialites, Dede Wilsey, Dr. Carolyn Chang, Farah Markas, and Samantha DuVall. The guests nibbled on a rich cheese and charcuterie spread with apricot chutney and Basque chorizo before sitting down to a lunch of grilled asparagus, roasted chicken with cheddar corn fritters, haricot vert and bacon salad, and lemon pousett with passionfruit and toasted coconut.
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Ando Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer 
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography
