Classy reaction to dueling dresses at celeb luncheon goes a long way

Celeb luncheon highlight is fashion faux paux that nets media buzz for children’s charity

The question of “Who wore it best” at a recent charity event might just make the lives of many children a lot better. At the annual spring luncheon presented by the nonprofit corporation the Colleagues and fashion house Oscar de la Renta, actress Jane Seymour, who was presented with the Champion of Children Award at the event, and Paris Hilton jokingly engaged in a catwalk faceoff, as they both showed up wearing the same lovely Oscar de la Renta floral patterned dress.

Seymour in usually grace mentioned the dueling dresses in her acceptance speech, expressing hopes that the fashion faux fiasco would draw attention to the worthy cause central to event, which raised more than $750,000 in proceeds that will go toward the Children’s Institute’s efforts to protect children from abuse, neglect and domestic and community violence.

“Paris, thank you for choosing the same dress,” she ribbed Hilton. “We will make it to the National Enquirer. I know we will,”

The event was attended by 650 guests paying from $175 for individual tickets up to $10,000 for tables. Guests also supported the charity fundraising efforts through a live auction.

Seymour joined a distinguished list of recipients for the award, including First Ladies Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford and Laura Bush together with her daughters Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, former California First Lady Maria Shriver; Princess Charlene of Monaco, Wallis Annenberg, Audrey Hepburn, Roma Downey, Sophia Loren, Carol Burnett, couples Gloria and James Stewart, Anjelica Huston and Robert Graham, and Annette Bening and Warren Beatty.