Arizona Costume Institute 2023 Holiday Luncheon to feature designer Jonathan Simkhai

Oct, 03, 2023

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Arizona Costume Institute 2023 Holiday Luncheon to feature designer Jonathan Simkhai

Tickets to the Valley’s fashion party of the year are on sale now

PHOENIX (October 3, 2023) – On December 4, 2023, Arizona Costume Institute will host the Valley’s most anticipated fashion fundraising event of the year—its annual Holiday Luncheon in support of the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum. This year’s luncheon will feature designer Jonathan Simkhai as the keynote speaker and is chaired by Beth McRae and Oscar De las salas. Tickets are on sale now to the general public.

Los Angeles-based fashion designer Jonathan Simkhai is celebrated for his elevated everyday designs, innovative techniques, and timeless craftsmanship. Founded in 2010, the SIMKHAI studio takes inspiration from architects and sculptors alike, blending progressive construction techniques with intimate hand-detailing to create special garments and lifestyle design. A 2015 winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, SIMKHAI has earned recognition for its original silhouettes, quality constructions, and timeless elegance. The studio continues to nurture an inspired creative community around the brand’s home in Los Angeles, sharing their designs and stories with women around the world who live artful, unapologetic lives.

Jonathan Simkhai honed his technical skills at Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology before launching his first womenswear line in New York City. An early inductee to the CFDA Incubator program, he quickly developed an eye for craft and quality and has dressed many renowned celebrities, including Gigi Hadid, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes, among others.

In addition to a fashion presentation from SIMKHAI, attendees of the 2023 ACI Holiday Luncheon will enjoy a champagne reception, a plated lunch, and a raffle featuring style-focused luxury items from both local and nationally recognized designers, boutiques, and businesses.

Seating for the 2023 ACI Holiday Luncheon is limited. Tickets are available here and range from $350 to $2,500, with table and sponsorship opportunities also available.

Members of the community are encouraged to join Arizona Costume Institute at arizonacostumeinstitute.org/join to ensure they are among the first to learn about other exciting programming details. ACI members who purchase tickets to this highly anticipated event will receive a complimentary general raffle ticket.

All proceeds from the 2023 ACI Holiday Luncheon benefit fashion exhibitions, acquisitions, and education programming at Phoenix Art Museum.

2023 ACI Holiday Luncheon Committee

COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Beth McRae
Oscar De las salas

HONORARY CHAIR
Eileen Yeung

LUNCHEON AMBASSADORS
Markus Ford
Jordan Rose
Jennifer Schuitemaker

COMMITTEE
Ronna Beeson
Lisa Bell
Jan Bracamonte
Lana Breen
Libby Cohen
Meredith Cohen
Lee Courtney
Erika Dickey
Emily Dietz
Shawnee Doherty
Carol Dries
Andrea Evans
Ruby Farias
Wendy Farrell
Kati Festy-Sandor
Sue Fletcher
Amanda Garmany
Patricia Garrity
Natalie Gaylord
Lisa Geyser
Laurie Goldstein
Cindy Good
Carol Guimarin Warstler
Amy Hair
Madonna Hall Newman
Missi Harrington
Linda Herold
Jan Herwick
Suzi Hilton
Brenda Howard
Justine Hurry
Donna Johnson
Kelly Kolicko
Jill Krigsten
Julie Kroot
Joseph Leeds
Brooke Levy
Lynne Love
Bill Lykins
Barbara Lytle
Tracey Lytle
Ina Manaster
Philip Manghisi
Martha Martin Henkel
Kathie May
Michael Mazzocco
Denise McManus
Traci Mead
Racquel Miller
Denise Monti
Patti Oleson
Diane O’Malley
Joanne Osborne
Donna Pettigrew Hicks
Tobi Placenti
Lisa Portigal
Diana Prieto-Bernal
Nancy Robertson
Sherri Quinn
Bea Rocklin
Vanessa Ruiz
Lisa Shapiro
Khamsone Sirimanivong
Joy Sprink
Loretta Tedeschi-Cuoco
Lauri Termansen
Catherine Tuton
Vicki Vaughn
DeeDee Vecchione
Amy Walters

PRESENTING SPONSOR
Philip Manghisi, WUNDERKIND

About the 2023 ACI Holiday Luncheon Co-chairs
Beth McRae is the CEO of The McRae Agency, with more than 30 years of experience in the public relations, social media, and marketing industries. She has served on numerous boards, including for the Arizona Humane Society, the Junior League, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society. She is chair of the Phoenix Art Museum Circles Advisory Council and a graduate of the FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy, serving on its board. Beth has chaired many of the Valley’s charitable events, including the Phoenix Heart Ball, Symphony Ball, Moondance at the Heard Museum, TGen Runway for Research, the Trends Gala, and American Cancer Society Gala, to name a few. She is a co-founder of the Arizona Humane Society’s Compassion with Fashion. Beth is also the owner of High Society Resale Boutique, an upscale women’s clothing and accessories store in Scottsdale.

Oscar De las salas is an accomplished architect and designer with a diverse and impressive career. His journey began in the world of fashion, where he worked as a producer, style critic, writer, and creative director. Eventually, he transitioned into the realm of architecture and interior design, bringing with him a unique perspective shaped by his experiences in the fashion industry. Oscar has served as the principal of Architectural Alliance Inc. in Arizona, and during his tenure, the firm undertook and successfully completed numerous award-winning municipal projects. Presently, Oscar is associated with Gensler Phoenix Office, where he plays a vital role in Business Development and Client Relationships Management for the US Southwest Region. Additionally, he is exploring opportunities for expansion in the Latin American Markets, showcasing his dedication to fostering global connections within the architectural world. Oscar actively champions the arts. He serves as the vice-chair at Friends of Phoenix Public Art, a Circles of Support member at Phoenix Art Museum, and a board member for organizations like ArtLink Phoenix, Arizona Costume Institute, and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA).

About Arizona Costume Institute
Arizona Costume Institute was founded in 1966 to support the fashion-design department of Phoenix Art Museum through the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance and through events and fundraising efforts that support and deepen awareness of the Museum’s fashion exhibitions and education programs. ACI’s support of this collection area depends on the enthusiasm of dedicated volunteers. The ACI Board of Managers 2023-2025 president is Joy Sprink. To learn more about Arizona Costume Institute, visit arizonacostumeinstitute.org.

About the Fashion-Design Collection at Phoenix Art Museum
The Fashion Design Collection at Phoenix Art Museum strives to tell an accurate history of fashion and is actively pursuing works that represent a broader and more inclusive glossary of designers. Comprising nearly half of the Museum’s permanent holdings, the collection houses nearly 9,000 examples of fashionable dress and accessories from five centuries of style. With everything from a pair of 17th-century sueded-leather gloves to 21st-century couture runway looks, the collection explores the art of dressing and seeks out the rarest examples of these dress traditions. Celebrated for its quality and comprehensiveness, the collection boasts strengths in 19th-century womenswear as well as works by 20th-century designers, with significant examples from major representatives of European and North American fashion history. Special archives within the collection include the Ann Bonfoey Taylor wardrobe of more than 200 examples by mid-century couture designers, The Emphatics Archive of more than 400 works from avant-garde designers, and the Geoffrey Beene Archive, with more than 300 evening gowns and custom designs.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the leading art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.