Inside Lake Tahoe’s Annual Oscar De La Renta Fashion Show

Photo Credit: Andrew Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography

For the 49th year in a row, the League to Save Lake Tahoe has raised an extraordinary amount of money—$870,000 to be exact—at its annual Oscar de la Renta fashion show. The event, which was sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue and AT&T, was held on Saturday, August 4 at the Schumacher Family estate on the Lake Tahoe shoreline.

Photo Credit: Drew AltizerThe luncheon and fashion show date back to 1969 when designer Bill Blass showed his latest collection to loyal clients and friends in the area. The show benefits the league’s environmental efforts to ensure that Tahoe remains blue and beautiful. “The Raise the Paddle which funds special projects such as forest restoration, beach clean-ups, and water clarity programs, stole the show at the auction, raising over $84,000, the most we have ever raised during this portion of the auction,” said Kristin Keane, the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s development consultant.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Oscar de la Renta’s co-creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia presented 64 looks from the 2019 resort collection. Models strutted down the white runway in billowing red gowns, polka dot-print pants, and flirty cocktail dresses. Laura and Fernando said, “Our resort collection looked incredible against Lake Tahoe with the blue backdrop and wind giving life to the dresses on the runway.”

Photo Credit: Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography

Before the luncheon, elegantly clad guests sipped cocktails while admiring the gorgeous woodsy views. Robbie Gordy of Christie’s led the live auction during the lunch, and a backstage trunk show followed the runway presentation. Guests were able to shop the looks featured in the show, and it proved to be the most post-show shopping spree in the event’s history.

Photo Credit: Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography

“We’re delighted to continue such a special tradition with the League to Save Lake Tahoe for the 49th year,” Tracy Margolies, Saks Fifth Avenue’s chief merchant said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to allow our customers to experience luxury fashion from Oscar de la Renta with a one-of-a-kind backdrop, as well as raise money and awareness surrounding an extremely important cause that is beloved throughout the Northern California community.”

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer An elite group of San Francisco socialites, including Haute Living’s fashion editor-at-large Sonya Molodetskaya, boarded a private jet on Saturday morning and were whisked off to Tahoe to enjoy the show. Molodetskaya served as co-pilot, and the plane was filled with her friends and faithful de la Renta clients Farah Makras, Dr. Carolyn Chang, Jane Mudge, and Mary Beth Shimmon. Other local luminaries in attendance? Chrisa Pappas, Barbara Brown, and Komal Shah.