According to . And while we didn’t count, it sure looked like Panayoti Kelaidis had made at least that many for the centerpieces at Fete des Fleurs 2012.
The black-tie dinner chaired by sisters Amy Corrigan and Allison Perkins celebrated the opening of the Denver Botanic Gardens’ newly expanded Japanese garden and raised $200,000 for the DBG’s education, research, conservation and community outreach programs.
Corrigan and Perkins are the daughters of former Fete des Fleurs chair Nancy Stamper; Kelaidis is the DBG’s senior curator and director of outreach.
master Junko Shigeta played as the 500 guests enjoyed cocktails and conversation in the Japanese garden before the bang of a gong summoned them to dinner in a tent decorated to reflect the hana matsuri (festival of flowers) theme. The meal, from , began with a sake toast led by Brian Vogt, the gardens’ chief executive officer, and Mayor Michael Hancock.
Fete des Fleurs has always been one of the summer’s most successful fundraisers; in recent years it has evolved into one of the most fashionable.
Seen this year were vintage kimonos, such as the one Lana Lee discovered while antiquing; gowns by Halston, Rachel Zoe and Nicole Miller; and cocktail dresses by Diane von Furstenberg, Lourdes Chavez and others.
Those enjoying the festive occasion included Nancy Schotters, chair of the DBG board of trustees, and her husband, Barney; state Treasurer Walker Stapleton and his wife, Jenna, next year’s chair for Fete des Fleurs; Guy Arnold, president of , and his wife, Liz; co-founder Justin McMorrow and his wife, Caroline; VFC owner Vince Connelly and his wife, Jen; Matt Stava, managing principal at , and his wife, Kelly; Drs. Mike and Kate Sawyer; Christina Brickley, marketing director for shopping center; and Dr. Eric Albright with his wife, Kathryn, a senior vice president with US Bank.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/getitwrite
