The scene: A veritable who’s who of well-known, well-heeled ladies flocked to The Colleagues’ Annual Spring Luncheon, an annual fashion fund-raiser to benefit The Children’s Institute. Colleagues members with familiar last names such as Bloomingdale, Doheny, Reagan and Fonda packed the ballroom of the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills.

Guests included designer James Galanos, former first lady Nancy Reagan, actress Virginia Madsen, actress and retailer Lisa Rinna, and actor Vondie Curtis Hall.

“We are thrilled beyond belief today because this luncheon is a sellout. We so appreciate your generous support,” said Nettie Dart, president of The Colleagues.

This year, the event featured the Fall ’09 collection by Los Angeles designer Kevan Hall, who presented both his high-end Kevan Hall Signature Collection and his new day-wear line, Kevan Hall for Paul Stanley.

Actress Angie Harmon, last year’s honoree, served as mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon, which honored chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck and his wife, Gelila, with the organization’s Champion of Children Award.

Both of Hall’s collections featured a "Spy" theme, which meant plenty of tailored coats ranging from snug jackets to cinched trench styles, pencil skirts and slim trousers.

For the Signature line, there were luxe details such as leather appliqué details and matelasse fabrications in metallic shades. A fox fur cape with an ombre pattern was smartly belted, and Hall’s “Ultimatum” evening trench coat was floor-length and topped with an “Emma Peel”-esque bowler hat.

The designer included plenty of his signature red-carpet gowns, including the “Femme Fatale,” which layered navy chiffon over re-embroidered lace. A hatch-patterned fabric Hall called the “Diversion” print turned up in day dresses and in a gown that seemed to walk right off the set of “Notorious.”

The new Kevan Hall for Paul Stanley collection featured plenty of tailored jackets topping slim skirts and trousers. Hall included racy details such as a pair of “Negotiation” zippers running down the front of a black wool dress. A three-quarter-length cashmere sweater in aubergine was belted and topped with a fox fur “fling.” Jackets featured funnel necks, and skirts had reverse darts. And a cheetah print turned up on a trio of dresses that featured leather and tweed details.

Hall was introduced to The Colleagues by member Jenny Jones, who is a customer and friend of the designer.

A charmingly garrulous Wolfgang Puck promised to keep his remarks short to defer to his wife, Gelila, who gave a heartfelt acceptance speech that praised the work done by The Children’s Institute. The 103-year-old organization assists children and families affected by violence, including child abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, domestic violence and violence in neighborhoods and schools. Gelila Puck referred to witnessing the deprivation of children in her native Ethiopia and the parallels she has seen in Los Angeles.

“As I came to this generous country, I promised myself I would do something for the people I left behind," she said. “Here in Los Angeles, you don’t really see the poverty. At CII, I found what was hiding in my beautiful Los Angeles. The kids are just as endangered as any in Africa. We also found the children smiling in the face of adversity and, oh my gosh, the hugs, the endless hugs.”

In a surprise to her husband, Gelila Puck also offered an impromptu live-auction item: a Sunday dinner party for 20, cooked by Wolfgang Puck in the winner’s home. Bidding was slow for the priceless prize until Harmon stepped in as auctioneer. The unexpectedly funny actress peppered the auction with bon mots such as “$16,000—can we do more? I’m looking at the jewelry in this room and I think we can.” Ultimately, the item went for $22,000.

In the weeks leading up to the luncheon, The Children’s Institute raised $5 million toward the $7 million needed for a capital campaign to build a new facility near downtown Los Angeles. —Alison A. Nieder 

Photography by Volker Corell