Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography
Celebrated American luxury fashion house St. John brought a gorgeous collection of effortless, alluring and refined clothing to San Francisco. St. John, known as the “accomplice to accomplishment,” presented their Resort 2016 Collection to benefit Fashion Fights Arthritis at the Fairmont San Francisco. The event raised over $240,000 for the Arthritis Foundation with $78,000 of that from the live auction and Key to the Cure paddle raise.
Fashion Fights Arthritis is a luncheon, live auction and runway show that benefits the Arthritis Foundation in its mission to help adults, children and teens living with arthritis. The Bay Area Arthritis Auxiliary has presented this annual event since 1999. The St. John Resort 2016 Collection reflects an effortless elegance inspired by the South of France and Italy. While the vibrant designs are meticulously crafted, the ensembles are perfectly carefree. From flirtatious tweeds to bold stripes, romantic florals and sensually
silvered evening silhouettes, each piece brings a signature entrance where warm Golden Coast Glamour meets continental style.
Twenty-two year-old Lizzie Yuen, who walked the runway in a stunning St. John gown, spoke at Fashion Fights Arthritis as the Arthritis Foundation’s 2015 Youth Honoree. Yuen was diagnosed with Lupus, one of the over 100 types of arthritis, at age nine. She has been active with the Arthritis Foundation since 2002 when she first attended the Arthritis Foundation’s Camp Milagros, a juvenile arthritis camp for youths aged 8-13. Lizzie also participated in the Arthritis Foundation’s Summer Science Internship at UCSF in 2013.
In Lizzie’s words, “I have grown up with the Arthritis Foundation. Through experiences with the Arthritis Foundation, I have come to terms with and made peace with my lupus. Participating in Arthritis Foundation events and activities has inspired me to pursue a career as a pediatric rheumatologist.”
Ann M. Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arthritis Foundation based in Atlanta, attended the event and introduced Yuen. “The Arthritis Foundation’s goal is to provide personalized tools that allow people with arthritis to live the best life possible,” said Palmer. “The Fashion Fights Arthritis event is a true testament of the local community’s commitment to raising funds to support the more than 50 million Americans who have arthritis.”
Numerous San Francisco-based fashion students were involved with Fashion Fights Arthritis. Over 25 students from the City College of San Francisco Fashion Department volunteered to help with show production and backstage needs. Honorary Committee member and past Bay Area Arthritis Auxiliary president Anette L. Harris generously hosted a table of 10 fashion students from City College and the Academy of Art University School of Fashion. After the runway show, St. John hosted a pop-up boutique in the Pavilion Room at the Fairmont San Francisco. St. John generously donated 10% of all sales at the pop-up boutique to the Arthritis Foundation.
Leadership for Fashion Fights Arthritis included: Maggie Hazelrig (Fashion Show Chair), Chelsey Seippel (Bay Area Arthritis Auxiliary President), Sharon & David Seto (Honorary Co-Chairs), Celeste Woo & Lisa Edwards (Luncheon Co-Chairs), Elaine Mellis (Public Relations Chair) and Jill Siefert (Designer Chair). Sponsors include Coherus Biosciences, Wildcat Cove Foundation, Peter J. Seippel Foundation, Robert Half Executive Search, Genentech, Benefit Cosmetics and Rigg Family Vineyards. Fashion Fights Arthritis was produced with support from Leftwich Event Specialists and Pande Productions.
The Host Committee included: Belinda Berry, Marilyn Cabak, Pamela Rummage Culp, Carol Doll, Barbara K. Finck, Joel Goodrich, Anette L. Harris, Sallie Huntting, Arlene Inch, Judy Jorgensen, Sharon Juang, Cynthia Schreuder Kalev, Marilyn Kinney, Marybeth La Motte, Mary Beth Mayo and JaMel Perkins. The Steering Committee included: Ana Blackwell, Star Burleigh, Rose Casserly, Daniel DeMillais, Roberta Economidis, Cerena Faggiolly, Maryam Ghajar, Victoria Hull Hazelrig, Corey Hyde, Mary Casserly Keil, Morgan Le, Christopher H. Lee, Sam Leftwich, Sharon L. Litsky, Ye-Hui Lu Goldenson, George F. Lucas, Lindsay Herling Lynch, Noelle Lynne, Irena Matijas, Jennifer Jordan McCall, Krista L. Mitzel, Eric W. Ormsby, Jennifer Romero, Leah Pincus Sharabi, Kai Peng Tan, Debra Tourigny, Natalia Urrutia Kirkland, Betsy Vobach and Barbara Yu.
Here are some of our fave runway looks followed by a gallery of attendees and models.
Photos by Drew Altizer Photography
