Lily Samii’s Couture Gowns Raise $130,000 for Children’s Charity

San Francisco’s Beacon Grand Hotel transformed into a runway of couture and compassion on August 27, as legendary designer Lily Samii presented “Elegance Meets Impact,” raising over $130,000 for George Mark Children’s House (GMCH). Located in San Leandro, GMCH is the nation’s first freestanding pediatric palliative care center. The extraordinary fashion show featured twenty of Samii’s most treasured couture gowns modeled by an inspiring roster of community leaders, including Emmy-winning reporter Betty Yu, philanthropist Maryam Murduroglu, Dr. Carolyn Chang, Christine Comaford, Emily Scott and Shekinah Eliassen, creating an unforgettable evening where artistry met advocacy.

GMCH founder Dr. Kathy Hull and her husband Bill Gisvold witnessed the good that came from Samii’s generosity as guests bid passionately during the live auction, with the designer herself jumping up and high-fiving models backstage when pieces sold. The elegant reception featured caviar from The Caviar Co. and sparkling rosé from Bricoleur Vineyards, while also bidding on donated round-trip tickets to Europe and Epi Center MedSpa. DJ PaulyPaul provided the evening’s soundtrack as acclaimed jazz singer Paula West, who will perform at GMCH’s upcoming gala, joined donor Farah Makras and model Mary Poland for a celebration that proved, in Samii’s words, “elegance and compassion can share the spotlight.”