"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news.
This week: How you can shoulder up to the famous sisters, Tory Burch and other celebs…
Yes, Naomi and Wynonna Judd, the beloved American country duo is lending a hand to the St. Jude fundraiser in the Phoenix area. Naomi and Wynonna have signed and donated two of their wonderful handbags for the intimate party to benefit the internationally renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Actresses Emma Stone, Teri Hatcher and Miranda Cosgrove are among the other celebs who have also donated their fashionable bags for the event on February 17. (By the way, Emma Stone is starring in the upcoming film “The Help,” which is an adaptation of the wonderful, wonderful, extraordinary bestselling novel “The Help” by author Kathryn Stockett. Sound familiar? Plan on more breaking news on the movie in a future column! Not to mention which bag Emma is sending. It’s one she recently carried on the red carpet at one of the big award shows.)
Wynonna Judd’s purse for the 2011 silent auction
So, here’s your chance to “shoulder up,” so to speak, with these celebs. And you can do it in style. Wynona signed her adorable handbag “Love you, Wynonna.” And the Isabella Fiore bag for example, signed by Naomi Judd, carries a personal message “When things are bad and getting worse, put a cookie in your purse!”
Naomi Judd’s purse in the 2011 silent auction
Actress and pop recording artist Miranda Cosgrove, (star of "iCarly") donated and signed a silver wristlet clutch that would certainly dress up any outfit.
Sheila Sarmiento with a Katy Perry purse at the 2010 Handbags for Hope luncheon
The silent auction for the Stars of Hope – Handbags for Hope luncheon also features dozens of other designer new and vintage handbags including J.J. Winters, Glenda Gies, Be & D and Louis Vuitton. The female allure of Tory Burch’s designs will also be showcased on the runway. Tory’s popular handbags are known for her unique blending of form and function and her clothes have a reputation of being comfortable to wear, yet add edge to your everyday look. Some of the event committee members will be modeling Tory’s designs in the fashion show.
Gina Forster and Lisa Mailliard at the 2010 Handbags for Hope luncheon
Another highlight of the afternoon will undoubtedly be the personal stories from former patients of St. Jude and their families. In fact, this grassroots event on its fourth year was founded by Lisa Mailliard of Scottsdale. Her son Nicky Mailliard is a former St. Jude patient and they want to spread their passion for St. Jude. “What sets St. Jude apart from other hospitals is the benchmark primary research it conducts,” says Lisa. “By conducting on-premise research with thousands of case studies, St. Jude allows for the best treatment options for catastrophic illnesses that will benefit St. Jude kids, but ultimately filter down to children at all local hospitals.”
About 300 guests are expected to turn out for the event, which is sponsored by Fry’s Food Stores, Eminess Technologies, Tory Burch, Gowen Girls, Nicky Mailliard Fund, Shaw Center, Pinnacle Bank and HPN Global. Gina Forster and Lisa Mailliard are co-chairing the 2011 luncheon. Tickets range from $125 to $1,000 per person. For more information you can go to www.stjude.org/scottsdale
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
