Third Annual Fundraiser Benefiting First Tee – Orange County
May 9, 2025 | Hyatt Regency Irvine
On May 9, 2025, the Hyatt Regency Irvine became home to a vibrant celebration of fashion, philanthropy, and empowerment for the 3rd annual Wine, Women & Shoes event, supporting First Tee – Orange County. This nonprofit provides local youth with life skills and mentorship through the game of golf—and this evening made supporting that mission both enjoyable and glamorous.
Guests kicked off the evening in style, walking a festive pink carpet entrance (a playful twist on the classic red) that set the tone for a night of fun, fashion, entertainment, and food. Attendees posed for photos and mingled before heading in to the outdoor “marketplace” to sip, shop, and support.
At check-in, guests were greeted with a glass of sparkling wine. The lawn was set up as a boutique marketplace and featured vendors such as Shop Gorgeous Things, Duchess of Pearls, Kathy Kamei Designs, Anne Fontaine, Gini and Albert, Ladie Blingy, Piajeh, Michael Kors, A Putnam, Morphew, Lara Trump, and Eslla. Guests could shop for clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and more. While perusing the boutiques, attendees were treated to a selection of light appetizers and tastes of wine, perfect for fueling a little fashionable browsing.
Of particular note was the presence of the vendor Eslla, the luxury handbag brand co-founded by Leigh Dorough (Howie Dorough’s wife) and Charlotte Weinman. Eslla combines elegant design with a mission to empower women through sustainable, thoughtfully crafted bags. Their presence lit up the vendor space—especially with our very own Howie D representing the booth with charm, energy, and genuine passion for the brand and the cause. Howie showed off the bags while talking with fans, taking pictures, and enjoying the music and atmosphere. I had an opportunity to talk with him and he was lovely as always, sharing that he had just come in from Texas, where he and the boys had performed at the ACM awards alongside Rascal Flatts, who had just released the “What Hurts the Most” single, a duet with BSB. The boys were well-received and accepted amongst the Country crowd, and Howie shared it had been a fun event. It was wonderful to have a moment to talk to Howie outside of a BSB event. He is ALWAYS the life of the party, and was also seen singing and dancing along to the music while enjoying the atmosphere.
Adding to the glamorous event was a magazine cover photo shoot opportunity, where guests could pose for a faux cover moment that made everyone feel like a star. It was a favorite stop of the evening and gave attendees a personalized keepsake from their time at the event. Even the puppy in attendance had a moment on the cover!
The night progressed and guests were invited inside a ballroom where tables were set up for dinner service. Guests enjoyed a light plated dinner featuring fresh chicken salad, followed by a delectable chocolate dessert that hit the perfect note of indulgence.
KTLA’s meteorologist Henry DiCarlo hosted the event, sharing a bit about First Tee-OC and guiding the crowd through the program. While enjoying dinner, guests were treated to a fashion show featuring pieces by Michael Kors, Piejah, Anne Fontaine, and Morphew. The fashion show highlighted runway looks offering everything from timeless elegance to bold, fashion-forward statements. A few of these could have been the perfect outfit for the Backstreet Boys’ upcoming Sphere residency in Las Vegas—stylish, fun, and millennium blue and white.
To keep the show going, a high-energy hip-hop dance performance to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” added flair and excitement to the program and a heartfelt highlight came when a First Tee teen participant took the stage to share how the program had changed her life, grounding the evening in its purpose and reminding everyone of the impact their support makes.
The live auction featured a range of exciting items including a trip to Tuscany, wine tasting for 24, and a curated dining experience, but the showstopper was an Eslla handbag, introduced on stage by Howie Dorough himself. With his signature charm and heartfelt pitch, Howie inspired a bidding frenzy. Once the purse was won, he personally delivered it to the winner—and in a one-of-a-kind touch, signed the inside of the bag, turning it into a truly unforgettable keepsake.
With community, couture, and a cause at its heart, Wine, Women & Shoes 2025 was more than just a night out—it was a celebration of purpose and style. From the pink carpet and Eslla’s star-studded presence to touching stories and inspired giving, the event proved that fashion and philanthropy make a powerful pair.
