Oscar De La Renta League To Save Lake Tahoe Benefit Fashion Show (PHOTOS)

By Betty Kay Kendrick for Drew Altizer

Under blue skies by the blue lake, a shining group clad in blues, pinks and everything in between gathered on the shores of Lake Tahoe to see Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2012 collection. Coming together for the annual League to Save Lake Tahoe benefit, the highlight of the seasonal calendar, the show — and the audience — dazzled on and off the runway. The luncheon and Saks Fifth Avenue-sponsored fashion show was about the attendants’ beloved lake, but it was also about seeing one another and some lovely clothes. De la Renta floated ethereally amongst the crowd, happy to work his magic in support of “this beautiful lake,” and pleased to be back in this milieu.

The dressy crowd looked as if they had been transported from another, breezier, more colorful time. Designer Karen Caldwell channeled the past with her stunning 40s-inspired off-the-shoulder green top and white pants. (Her collection is debuting on October 5 in San Francisco.) The ever-inspiring Dede Wilsey sported a pink feather in her hair. Marissa Mayer loved “the Cuban appeal and geometric shapes” of the runway presentation, which conveniently included a dressing area to try on samples and order special pieces. Color was everywhere, from the well-watered greens of the early-August trees to the summery pastels worn by many of the guests. Robert Fountain, a veteran of the annual show, said the day was “a homecoming to see everyone from the city in colors other then black.” Today they were saving the blue lake, and saving the black for another time and place.