JLH marks 90th anniversary with Jazz Era soirée

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Kristina Belcourt, Bridgett Relphorde, who made her own cigarette holder from rolled cardboard that she blinged, and Michelle Richardson.

Feathers, fringe, flappers and lace were in abundance and "Giggle juice" flowed at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort April 12, when the Junior League of Honolulu went back to its Jazz Era roots—founded in 1923—to mark its 90th anniversary with a luncheon/fashion show featuring garments from Tori Richard's Spring 2014 women's collection.

In addition to the fun, glitz and glamour of the 1920s "Great Gatsby"-themed celebration, there was also some serious work going on as the organization pledged to give $90,000 to Oahu nonprofits over the next three years through its 90th Anniversary Community Fund. $45,000 will be awarded this year. The balance of the fund will be distributed over the next two years. Members also recognized past recipients of its annual Laura N. Dowsett Award, and honored JLH's 2014 recipient Cheryl Hetherington.

The award is named after Laura Nott Dowsett, a founding member of JLH and its president from 1933 to 1934. Hetherington, a civic leader and longtime Junior League member, received the award that was created in 1982, to recognize a sustaining member who personifies the spirit of voluntarism, the value of specialized training, the effectiveness of advocacy and the qualities of leadership developed in the JLH.

CherylHetheringtonHetherington served as JLH president from 2002 to 2003 and has raised money for a number of nonprofits including Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of O‘ahu (25th Anniversary), Honolulu Academy of Art (Kama‘aina Christmas), The Contemporary Museum (ConTempo) and JLH. Before dedicating her skills to community service, Hetherington practiced law as a solo practitioner from 1979 to 1994, taking on many pro bono cases in Family Court. A member of the Hawaii Bar Association, she served for five years with the Hearings Committee of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the State of Hawaii.

In recognition of the group's annual "Sacs in the City" fundraiser, more than 10 high-end handbags were auctioned to help support JLH's community programs.

The event was also highlighted by an informal fashion show featuring the Tori Richard Spring 2014 women's collection.

From left, Becky Harrison, JLH president-elect Penelope Paik Thune and Ina Chang.

From left, JJ Dentel, Jeri Duncan in mobster pinstripes, and Tiffany Sterbin.

Jennifer and Justin Dotson.

Jessica Yamauchi, left, and JLH president Deborah Zysman.

A photographic display dating from the 1920s to the present, played tribute to the Junior League founders and early members. Today, we tend to have a costumey view of 1920s fashion, but this is more typical summer dress.

Janice Choate-Zavakos looks her 1920s best in white and lace down to her stockings.

I did white lace as well, snapping a selfie outside my house, with Lynn Murray Sien's "Naked Pearl" rope necklace and Whiting & Davis mesh purse. I have at least three 1920s Mandalian mesh-and-enamel purses that I used to use, but today, they're too small to fit such 21st century necessities as phone and car keys.

From left, Jennifer Dotson and Ashlyn Tom, show off a Cole Haan satchel that Laura Anderson was coveting, and eventually won.

Jessica O'Neill, left, is back in town after a stint in New York, and prepared to become a mommy. She's with Cami Yano.

From left, Jessica Rose, Lei Pua Marlow, and Sandy Tapia.

From left, Lynn Haring, Praju Sehgal and Ruhi Shah.

I loved the anachronistic juxtaposition of 1920s meets the contemporary style of this Balenciaga bag that was up for auction and caught Patricia Moad's eye. Of course I noticed her Chanel handbag. The quilted bag did not debut until 1955.

Heading back into the present, several former beauty queens, including Miss USA Hawaii 2003 Alicia Michioka Jones showed off Tori Richard's Spring 2014 womenswear collection during informal modeling on the ballroom floor.

Before becoming a familiar face on TV news, Trini Kaopuiki was also a Miss Hawaii USA. She's in Tori Richard's Mykonos Erin dress ($148).

Former Mrs. Hawaii Kristina Lum, left, and Valerie Schmidt, founder of The Bella Project, also model Tori Richard designs.