Oh, what a night! The glitterati stepped it up with a stiletto at the Head Over Heels gala Saturday evening, where our fair city’s glam and gorgeous gathered for the Ladies Hospital Aid Society ‘s charity bash.

Co-chairs Lisa Gaydos , exquisite in a crystal-accented baby blue gown (with Joe ) and Laura Penrod Kronk , wearing a gorgeous pink ABS (with Claude and daughter Trinity ) presented $125,000 to UPMC’s Medicine Concussion Program, dedicated to further developing a comprehensive approach to understanding, preventing and treating injuries associated with a severe blow to the head or neck. Generously, $41,000 was donated to five additional notables.

Magnificently swagged in chiffon swaths of hot pink and snow white, the ballroom of the Westin Convention Center was transformed into a dynamic mirror of the rose-adorned, black stiletto invite, right down to whimsical “bottoms up” centerpieces.

Event artiste Bonnie Walker-Chirigos further indulged our senses with abundantly lush centerpieces at our black and white chivari-chaired tables. Topping the black satin runners was an intoxicating array of roses, hydrangeas and cymbidium orchids, along with tall, clear cylinders filled with pink orchids in crystal water, adorned with floating white candles. Chic lounges, accented with white leather settees sprinkled with fuchsia and amethyst-hued pillows and stiletto-decorated glass tables, provided rest for our weary soles.

Gary Racan’s E-Street Band, joined by Nashville fiddler extraordinaire Rob Hajacs, played a rhythmlicious blend of smooth grooves that ensured we dancing queens were having the time of our lives. Indeed, the vibrantly hand-painted dance floor got hot, hot, hot with the march of a conga line, feathers from the mah-velous white (party-favor) boas flying as dancers shimmied their way around the ballroom. Honoree Dr. Freddie Fu (with Hilda ) had us “Dizzy” with excitement when he struck up with the band to intro fellow Honored Guests Dr. Mark Lovell (with wife Eileen and daughter Emily ), Dr. Michael (with Lynn ) Collins and Dr. Joseph Maroon .

Famished, we found redemption in the mouth-watering colossal sea scallops surrounded by grilled jumbo shrimp, never mind the pan-seared filet that melted in our mouths. Oh, and the sinful temptations, m’dear! Sarris Candies indulged our sweet tooth with scrumptious, sugar-rose candy adorned chocolate stiletto favors (have we died and gone to heaven?) that left us begging for mercy.

Spinning on the dance floor were Dr. David Adelson and LHAS prexy Barbara ; Debbie and Dan Mancuso; Athena and Frank Sarris with daughter Sophia ; past LHAS prexies June Yonas and Mary Novick with Ivan ; Dr. Andrew Stewart ; Dr. Vonda Wright ; Honorary Chairs/Penguins CEO & Pres Ken and Shirley Sawyer along with team coach Michel Therien; Catherine and Mark Loevner ; Magee CEO Leslie Davis and Abe Leizerowski; Nan and Melvin Cohen; Dee Dee Troutman (in a b&w BCBG Max Azria) Nancy and Nadav Baum ; Jodi and Dr. Bryan Amos ; and Barbara Barry .

Also Robert Crawford; Beverly Harlich; Charlene and John Innocenti; Clyde Jones III and Armen Arevian; Jayme Latta (in an amethyst Max Alto); Susan and David Kalson; Daniel and Carole Kamin; Cher and Irwin Kotovsky; Debbie and Dan Mancuso ; Dr. Jim Kunkle and Cynthia Roth; Katherine and Dr. Frederick Sherman ; Drs. Michelle and TJ Spinks; Jody and Dr. Terence Starz ; and Delores and Jack Warwick .

— Kate Guerriero

‘Pretty Woman’

T’was a mod, mod world Friday evening in Oakmont as we fashion mavens from near and far clicked our stiletto-clad heels down to the fabulously retro Oaks Theater for Carabella’s “Pretty Woman” fashion show extravvvaganza.

Pre-show, a bevy of beauties sipped Carabella-tini’s under the chandelier-lit white party tents while perusing table after table of spectacular swag up for grabs at the Silent Auction, eagerly awaiting the debut of NYC-based designer Donna Degnan ‘s Audrey Hepburn inspired fall line.

Nary an empty seat in the theater was to be had; Carol Kinkella ‘s sell-out raised nearly $60,000 for the Alzheimer Association’s Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. Master of Ceremonies Jim Roddey charmed our Choo’s off before the lights dimmed and the aisles transformed into catwalks. Funky grooves pulsating through our fashion-starved soles, the parade of sophisticated black and whites, chic tweeds and brilliant splashes of autumn hues were enough to make us weak in the knees.

Mouths left watering, we succumbed to the temptation of a champagne and pastry reception awaiting us afterward.

Amongst the bold and beautiful, we spotted WPA/AZ pres Bob LeRoy ; Dr. Judith Black ; Sandy and Edgar Snyder; Wendy Kaplan; Betty Minnotte; Carol Massarro; Leslie Dunn; Debbie Little; Phyllis Maher; Susan McSorley ; and Sandra Danoff .

— Kate Guerriero

Mighty Fine

An absolutely fan tabulous evening was enjoyed by all who dropped by the opulent Omni William Penn Hotel on Thursday evening to honor the 50 Finest (and most eligible, wink, wink!) men and women who inhabit our fair city.

Master of ceremonies Andrew Stockey introduced the group of young dynamos who were being recognized for their commitment to the greater good, having raised nearly $200,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation .

Indeed, not only are they successful professionals and young philanthropists, these fashionistas came dressed to kill. The gorgeous glamazons left the little black dress hanging lonely in the closet, and wore a stunning rainbow of brilliant sapphire blues, luscious candy-apple reds and vibrant plums. Quite a complement to the handsome dapper Dans decked out in their black tuxes!

Some of our 50 Finest included Tom Allen; Alana Bly; Dominic Branduzzi ; Dr. Joseph Curley; Samantha Daniels; Justin Davis; Richard DeShantz; Melissa Galiotto; Sean Gray; Allison Grotjan; Ari Hait; Scott Harbaugh; F. Dok Harris; Mary Katherine Hecht; Kellee Maize; Alyssa Majesko; Kerstin Mayr; Lauren Merola; Darren Miller; Corey O’Connor; Kathryn Petrie; Joey Rahimi; Lyndsay Rowland; Cathy Schodde; Jason Seltzer; Paul Steigerwald; David Sunseri Jr.; Lisa Tagliati; Greg Warren ; and Eric Wenning .

— Kate Guerriero

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