Sparkling Lake Tahoe was the dramatic backdrop for Oscar de la Renta’s 49th annual fashion presentation sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue on Saturday, August 4.

A benefit for the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the event showcased the label’s Resort 2019 designs, drawing Oscar fans from all over Northern California, as well as fashion enthusiasts who flew in just for the afternoon’s luncheon, shoreside runway presentation and trunk show. A record 675 attendees—among them Oscar de la Renta’s Eliza and Alex Bolten, their sons, Henry and Thomas, and the company’s celebrated creative directors, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia—mingled by the redwoods at the private lakefront estate, sipping Champagne and taking in the views.

“I dream of Lake Tahoe all year,” says Alex, CEO of the fashion house. “We are very proud and honored to be associated with the League. Lake Tahoe is a world treasure. Thanks to this great group, the lake looks fantastic.” Kim, Garcia and the Bolen family maintain certain fixed de la Renta traditions for their Lake Tahoe weekend. They always stay at the rustic, century-old lakefront compound of the Andrews family, who were among the founders of the League and initiators of the first fashion show fundraiser with Bill Blass. At 7 am on one of the mornings during their stay, Alex and his sons jumped into the clear, chilly lake, and followed it with several rounds of waterskiing. “Fernando was there to encourage me. He’s always the first to dive in,” Alex adds.

The guest list also included Carolyn Chang, Riccardo Benavides, Chrisa Pappas, Jessica Hickingbotham, Edith Tobin and philanthropist Barbara Brown, who has been attending the annual event since the ’70s. “I started coming to the show when it was at Rubicon [Beach] and it was Bill Blass [at the helm]. It was wonderful, [with] perhaps 200 guests. And now we’re trying to hold it down to under 700! It has blossomed into a very large, beautiful show raising millions for a fine cause,” says Brown.

Funds from this year’s benefit bring the total amount raised since the first fashion show to almost $18 million. Meanwhile, planning has begun for next year’s 50th annual installment, in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, and fans are already marking their calendars.

Written by Diane Dorrans Saeks

Email This To A Friend