Hope Grows at ‘Fashion in the Fields’ Fundraiser

IN WHAT HAS now become an annual tradition (with spectacular spring weather!), Recipe for Success Foundation's Fashion in the Fields brunch was an al fresco, floral-savvy soiree held at its Hope Farms facility.

A seasonal fashion show featured lots of local talent, including clothing and accessories by M. Penner, Miron Crosby and Vintage Contessa, with commentary by Lyndsey Zorich of The Avenue and Ahshia Berry with Sarah Jayne Smith of Magpies & Peacocks. Select items were available before and after the fashion show at the Hope Farms Store, which was transformed into a chic boutique for the day.

Guests took in the lovely looks from their seats at tables dressed in paisley linens with centerpieces of white watering cans spilling over with gorgeous hand-picked flowers — zinnias, snapdragons, mums and more — from the Hope Farms fields. Central Market put on a beautiful charcuterie spread, while Bistro Menil, Le Jardinier, Josephine's Gulf Coast, Kriti Kitchen and Culinaire teamed up to provide the rest of the brunch buffet — salmon with grits and greens, and fruit-covered pancakes with smoked ham were among the hits.

A paddles-up raffle sale resulted in an instant $5,000 raised for R4S's Delivering Hope mission, and the adorable daughters of the day's chairs, Jen and James Cunningham, drew for prizes that included shopping sprees, cooking classes and more.

Jen Cunningham with Virginia McMullen and Kristin Blomquist

Aashish Parehk, Rudy Guerra & RJ Jenkins with Gracie Cavnar

The team from Le Jardinier

Lyndsey Zorich

Models wearing Magpies & Peacocks

Greg Martin, Felipe Botero, Gracie, Lucas McKinney, Mary Cuclis, Juan Gonzalez, Karla Espinosa

Miya Shay and Vanessa McGowan

Virginia McMullen with daughters Elizabeth and Vivienne

The Cunningham family