Chinese American Debutante Guild

At first glance, the 22 women, resembling swan-like fairy princesses under the bright photo studio lights, did not seem like trailblazers in the demure world of debutantes. They were stereotypically deb, down to every ruffle and bow in their billowy white gowns, no different from all the other women who have prepared for this "coming out" rite of high society from New York and Philadelphia to Los Angeles and Newport Beach.

At first glance, the 22 women, resembling swan-like fairy princesses under the bright photo studio lights, did not seem like trailblazers in the demure world of debutantes. They were stereotypically deb, down to every ruffle and bow in their billowy white gowns, no different from all the other women who have prepared for this "coming out" rite of high society from New York and Philadelphia to Los Angeles and Newport Beach.

For many Southern Californians, summer is the season for beaches, chaise longues and the quest for the perfect tan. Not for Margaret Qiu. She and thousands of other Asian American women are going to great lengths to avoid the sun -- fighting to preserve or enhance their pale complexions with expensive creams, masks, gloves, professional face scrubs and medical procedures.

The 18 debutantes at Saturday's Winter Blossom Ball felt a little like pioneers in their white flowing dresses. They were just the second group of Chinese-American women to make their social debut; until last year's ball (which was featured on the television show "Real Life With Jane Pauley"), such an event was unheard of in the Asian community. "We're forming a tradition here and hope to continue this for other young Asian women," said debutante Amy Liang, 19, of Rowland Heights.

The week between Christmas and New Year's is always a joy--a few parties and the opening of Santa Anita Park, yet enough time to nap and take down the Christmas tree. The traditional luncheon in the prestigious Directors Room heralded the first day of the 60th season of racing at the race track. New Santa Anita CEO William Baker of Newport Beach had to greet guests alone for a while, awaiting the arrival of his wife, Jan, who was snowed in in Seattle.

Eighteen young women donned white gowns and joined a new generation of Chinese Americans to make their social debut--a Western rite of passage gaining acceptance among immigrants from the East. The debs took their bows at the Winter Blossom Ball Sunday at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim by the Chinese-American Debutante Guild. About 400 guests paid $100 each to attend, netting more than $20,000 for the Asian-American Senior Citizen Service Center in Santa Ana.

At first glance, the 22 girls, resembling swan-like fairy princesses under the bright photo studio lights, did not seem like trailblazers in the demure world of debutanting. They were stereotypically deb down to every ruffle and bow in their billowy white gowns, no different from all the other girls who have prepared for this "coming out" rite of high society from New York and Philadelphia to Los Angeles and Newport Beach.

A humble man, he shudders at the word. But like it or not, Carlton Burnett is hot. Orange County's answer to Tommy Tune turned Segerstrom Hall into a cabaret last September, making history when more than 100 women strutted their stuff at the Guilds of the Orange County Performing Arts Center's fashion show. A few local arbiters of fashion pooh-poohed the idea of using amateurs (Guilds members) to showcase Orange County's haute -est fashion silhouettes.