League to Save Lake Tahoe
55th Annual Fashion Show
Est. 1969
LEAGUE TO SAVE LAKE TAHOE ANNUAL FASHION SHOW
In the summer of 1969, Bill Blass made a memorable entrance to Lake Tahoe, greeted by an eager assembly of summer residents. Walking barefoot along a makeshift plywood runway on Rubicon Beach, he unveiled his Fall Collection to the event's inaugural 100 guests.
Twenty years later, in 1999, Blass passed the torch to the iconic Oscar de la Renta, who faithfully continued the tradition of showcasing his legendary Collections until his passing in 2014. Today, Oscar de la Renta's legacy endures, with continued support for the event under the stewardship of CEO Alex Bolen and Co-creative Directors Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim.
From its humble plywood origins, the event has blossomed into a spectacular runway spectacle, proudly presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, our steadfast partner since 1969. This extraordinary collaboration, now celebrating its 55th year, has raised over $24 million to uphold the League's mission of preserving Lake Tahoe—a cherished national treasure designated as an Outstanding National Resource Waters under the Clean Water Act.
Barbara Brown
Read Bio Close BioBarbara Brown's love affair with Lake Tahoe began the first time she saw its beautiful blue water. She was moved to purchase a home on the West Shore which provided unforgettable memories for her three daughters and seven grandchildren. During her years spent at Lake Tahoe, Barbara was a member of the Tahoe Lakefront Homeowners Association and the Tahoe Yacht Club, supporting the annual boat show and activities involving the iconic wooden boats of the Lake.
Barbara is a Founding Member of PARCA in San Mateo County, supporting families with special needs children. She served on the Board for the Institute for Health & Healing and served on the CPMC Women's Board for 30 years. Her love of fashion and the ODLR brand brought her to the Annual Fashion Show, where she has served as a prolific ambassador and fundraiser for the League to Save Lake Tahoe for 17 years.
Heidi Cary
Read Bio Close BioFor Heidi Cary Lake Tahoe has been a majestic and magical place since she was a child. Growing up, she would stay in a small wooden lake-side cabin on her family’s property called Wychwood, now Chinquapin. Her great-grandfather Robert Dollar had purchased the property in 1926 after having been taken by the beauty and grandeur of the lake.
Heidi’s appreciation of and connection to Lake Tahoe is deep and long-lasting. She is committed to seeing Tahoe thrive now and into the future. This is one of the reasons she is a member of the League’s Fashion Show Committee. Heidi and her extended family always look forward to the acclaimed Annual Oscar de la Renta event. Heidi is impressed by the League’s widening efforts with the new, soon to be open Environment & Education Center.
Heidi is Chair of the Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation and is also honored to work on a number of Committees and Boards which include Grace Cathedral and San Domenico School.
LINDSAY MCCONON
Read Bio Close BioLindsay is the co-founder and CEO of Freya, a sustainable luxury accessories brand handmade by global artisans. She has spent her career in retail entrepreneurship, in both digital and brick and mortar, specializing in merchandising and operations. Lindsay graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford University, where she played varsity women’s water polo. Other relevant nonprofit experience includes her tenure as the Chair of Board Governance for Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin.
Lindsay lives in Incline Village with her husband and three children, all avid skiers. She joined the board in 2021.
JESSICA HICKINGBOTHAM
Read Bio Close BioJessica Hickingbotham’s love for Lake Tahoe began early. Her grandparents and parents took a place every summer near Camp Richardson. She spent her childhood on the Lake, learning to water ski, taking picnics on the East Shore and sailing. She found the perfect match in her spouse, J., who’s family has a long history at Lake Tahoe. J’s grandmother, Diana Dollar Knowles, was one of the original founders of the League Fashion Show. When Jessica joined the family, J’s grandmother encouraged her to get involved in the League. Jessica has been a part of the fashion show since, working on the committee for 9 years.
Jessica grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduated from UC Davis and spent more than a decade working in marketing and advertising. She currently lives in Menlo Park where she is raising two children with her husband. She is active in Bay Area philanthropy and sits on the Board of Directors for Achieve Tahoe (formerly Disabled Sports USA). She and her family still spend time at Tahoe, skiing at Palisades in the winter and visiting Tahoe as often as possible every summer.
JENNIFER BRANDENBURG
Read Bio Close BioJennifer Brandenburg grew up spending the summers in Tahoe and as an avid skier there in the winters. Her love of Tahoe expands from the lake, skiing, biking, hiking, to the beautiful wilderness backpacking, and enjoying all the variety Tahoe has to offer. Combining her business acumen with over 30 years of leadership experience in the technology industry, her love of the lake and fashion makes the League Fashion Show Committee a natural fit.
Jennifer is passionate about events and has planned events personally, for non-profits and corporate events at some of the biggest technology companies in Silicon Valley.
Jennifer a native Californian growing up in Davis lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and has two grown children. Jennifer and her husband split their time between Piedmont and Tahoe. She is active in philanthropy with tenure for the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary and has served as the President, and Associate Trustee of the San Francisco Ballet Board of Directors. She also sits on the board of the Town and Country Club in San Francisco.
J. RICCARDO BENAVIDES
Read Bio Close BioJ. Riccardo, a renowned event planner from the Bay Area, founded Ideas Event Styling in 1992 after studying at Rudolph Shaeffer's School of Interior Design in San Francisco. Known for his unconventional and sensational styles, he has collaborated with companies that share his ideals. Riccardo has designed events for notable clients like Queen Sofia of Spain, Giorgio Armani, Facebook, Netflix, and Dropbox. He actively supports non-profit causes, donating design efforts and rentals as well as serving on the committees and boards of various non-profits. In 2023, he became San Francisco's Art Commissioner, aiming to make a lasting impact on the city.
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