The Art of Fashion

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Indulge in an extraordinary evening where culinary artistry meets haute couture at our exclusive gala. Chef Scott Cooper of Le Papillon will present an exquisite dining experience complete with carefully selected wine and cocktail pairings. The evening will be enhanced by the presence of distinguished artists and designers, whose creative contributions will transform the atmosphere while embodying our commitment to supporting the artistic community. Through this unique fusion of fashion, gastronomy, and art, we celebrate Montalvo’s vibrant role in the cultural landscape of Silicon Valley.

Attire: Dress to impress in Artistic Chic

Collaborators

IB Bayo

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Born in Osogbo, Nigeria, the ninth generation of a traditional weaving family, Bayo (pronounced BIO) learned his trade at an early age from generations of cloth artisans. He learned to weave and dye from his mother, and to sew from his father who made traditional clothing for Nigerian royalty. Bayo began sewing at age five and remembers sitting on his dad’s lap at the sewing machine before his leg could reach the pedal. Growing up, he also learned to sell cotton, dye yarn, iron and fold, do beading, and hand-embroidery. Bayo attended the Nike Center for Art and Culture in Osogbo, Nigeria where he studied batik cloth dying, quilt making, reverse appliqué, and clothing design. Nike is an international treasure for her artwork and her school dedicated to preserving traditional Yoruba art forms.

Peter Esparza

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Peter Esparza, the son of Mexican immigrant parents, is a fashion designer based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up in the east side of San Jose, he became familiarized with all the traditional Mexican holidays. Dia de los Muertos became his favorite holiday to celebrate, enjoying the bright, cheerful take on what is usually a mournful subject. Inspired by Dia de los Muertos, this collection uses the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe, which is commonly used to decorate altars for loved ones who have passed away. He’s embellished the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe with beads and crystals to mimic the glitter that’s commonly used to decorate her portrait, in an effort to create wearable pieces that can be used to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, and also be worn year-round.

Tobin W. Keller

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Tobin W. Keller received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from California College of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from Mills College, studying at both institutions under the guidance of mentor/artist Jay DeFeo. After completing his studies, Tobin began working as an exhibiting artist in San Francisco, represented by galleries, agents, and designers. His non-textile artwork can be found in numerous corporate and private collections. As a Santa Cruz County resident, he has been teaching for the Cabrillo College Art Department, instructing a variety of two-dimensional courses including printmaking, 2D mixed media, drawing and painting, color and design. During his tenure, Tobin spent a year’s sabbatical in Paris, London, and New York, researching the history of European fabric printing and practicing traditional techniques of hand-dyeing and printing silk fabrics. Through direct and indirect inspiration and influence, Tobin honed his art of dying and screen-printing fabric, introducing a narrative to his designs with symbolic color and imagery.

Charlotte Kruk

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Most recognized for her wearable sculptures, Charlotte Kruk elevates post-consumer product packaging to fine art. Kruk’s sculptures incorporate genuinely purchased, meticulously unwrapped, consumed and conscientiously collated garbage. Each element of “trash” is carefully stitched together side by side to create new textiles, which beg to be evaluated. These wearable sculptures “slyly wink” at a culture that often compares women, particularly well-dressed women, to decorations, consumables; “eye candy”. Whimsically initiating a dialogue on packaging, brand association, and power structure, Kruk’s sculptures also direct a commentary on the gluttony and wastefulness of a disposable, packaged society. Kruk’s artwork has been exhibited extensively throughout San Jose, Kohler Arts Center, Racine Art Museum in Wisconsin and Legion of Honor in San Francisco. While moonlighting as a professional artist, Kruk has been teaching Sculpture Arts at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California since 1998.

Franco Masoma

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Franco Masoma is California’s top-ranked custom clothier, known for timeless elegance, intentional design, and masterful craftsmanship. Founded by Franco, a refugee of the Soviet-Afghan war, the brand was built from the ground up—one stitch at a time. Today, garments are designed in Los Gatos and handcrafted in Italy, serving professionals, creatives, and leaders who value confidence, quality, and quiet luxury.

Namita Paul

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Namita Paul is a San Francisco-based artist whose work bridges personal narratives and collective histories. Engaging deeply with themes of home, rupture, memory, and repair, Paul’s practice draws inspiration from architectural spaces and the lingering imprints they leave on our lives. Her current work delves into the emotional and spatial echoes of grief, exploring how physical environments shape and reflect inner landscapes. Often, her work contemplates the symbolic and material presence of debris—fragments of what once was—as metaphors for loss, transition, and resilience.

Guided by concept and material, Paul employs a diverse range of media—large-scale installation, drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, and photography—to render visible the intersections of time, place, and memory. Her art transforms personal experiences into shared reflections, illuminating the invisible ties between space and sentiment.

Namita Paul holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts, an MA in Cultural Studies from the University of Washington, and an MFA from the California College of the Arts.

Photo by Mido Lee.

Azadeh Riaz

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Azadeh Riaz, a visionary in high fashion, has spent over three decades shaping the industry, from co-creating BEBE to establishing a legacy of luxury retail. With over 24 years of success in Los Gatos, Silicon Valley, and five exclusive locations nationwide—including Union Square, San Francisco—her expertise in design, manufacturing, and styling has catered to an elite clientele.

Today, House of Azadeh at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, continues this tradition, offering a meticulously curated selection of exclusive Italian and French designers alongside Azadeh’s own brand of evening wear, cocktail attire, and tailored suits. More than just a boutique, it is a destination for personalized, one-on-one styling and wardrobe curation, ensuring each client receives unparalleled attention and access to the finest European and American fashion. In a world of mass-market retail, House of Azadeh stands apart, redefining luxury through exclusivity, craftsmanship, and impeccable service.

For more information, please contact our office in San Francisco and book a complimentary consultation with Azadeh Riaz. As a guest of this special event, enjoy an exclusive opportunity to experience our personalized services firsthand.

Rose Sellery

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Rose Sellery is a self-taught artist and the Co-Director of M.K. Contemporary Art. With over twenty years of experience in curating exhibitions, she has worked independently as well as with the Cabrillo Gallery in Aptos. Partnering with Melissa Kreisa, Rose helped established M.K. Contemporary Art as one of the premier galleries in Santa Cruz.

Rose Seller is a multidisciplinary artist who works with a diverse range of materials to create humorous, thought-provoking, and occasionally unsettling three-dimensional pieces. Her work often evokes moments of reflection, laughter, and, at times, tears. Sellery’s art has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, with notable showings at venues such as SOMArts in San Francisco, the Oakland Museum Artist’s Gallery, Bedford Gallery/Dean Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, the San Jose ICA, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, Anne and Mark’s Art Part in San Jose, and the Monterey Museum of Art. Her international exhibitions have taken place in France, Belgium, Germany, and New Zealand.

Sudnya Shroff

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I am a storyteller. I recognize that uncertainty is home to infinite possibilities; not knowing is most intimate; and love is the answer to fear.

I am drawn to joining hands with fellow humans seeking collective liberation.

My Indian roots, my immigrant American experience, my early rigorous training and work in technology, subsequent entrepreneurial ventures, and my role as a nurturer form the bedrock of my value system and inform whatever it is I’m called to do.

I am passionate about art and awe-inspiring beauty as an end in and of itself. A valuable insight from my journey through art has awakened me to its most powerful side effect—it’s potential to transform pain so that we stop transmitting it.

Simon Ungless

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Simon Ungless, Executive Director at Academy of Art University School of Fashion, plays a role in fashion that is undeniably discreet, yet deeply influential. From introducing the world to talents on the runway to grooming the next fashion generation to playing a part in fashion history, Simon has been an unwavering leader of the class, proponent of emerging talent, and connector of creatives.

Simon explains, “Over twenty years ago, the Academy hired a group of us to build a fashion program that brought together a European approach to design while encompassing an American spirit for business.” He continues, “We have since added marketing, fashion styling, journalism and social media. We found that the students thrive when working in an environment which very much mirrors the industry.” In keeping with this beyond-the-classroom credo, Simon spearheads SHOP657, the school’s San Francisco store, annual graduation, 180 Magazine’s print and digital media, and New York Fashion Week runway shows.

Participating Artist Alumni
from West Valley College
Cilker School of Art & Design

Led by Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez and Lorrie McPheeters

Frances Cooke

Joshua Cruz

Marcus Jackson

Kayalvizhi Muthukumar

and

Lorrie McPheeters

WVC Fashion Design and Theatre Instructor

with thanks to

Tina Brown

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I’m a fashion stylist and I live in Santa Cruz, California. I work with amazing clients throughout Silicon Valley and the Monterey Bay Area. I’ve developed my own trademark Three Elements of Style — body shape, coloring, and most importantly, your personality — to build a fashion platform that really reflects who you are, and what looks best on you. I’ll work with your existing wardrobe and within your budget to get the most from your own closet. And if you don’t have time to shop, I can do that too.

ilkastyle: Tina’s company name “ilka” is derived from an ancient Scottish word that means “each and every.” The ilka philosophy of “Each and Every Style” is about identifying how to dress to enhance your figure; highlight your coloring; flatter your face; and bring out your personal style. Tina truly believes if you feel good about how you look you will be happier and more confident.

Passion Speaker

GRACIAS ARMANDO CASTELLANO

Passion Speaker, Lucas Artists Fellow, and Dear Friend to Montalvo

Armando Castellano is the founder and director of chamber ensemble Quinteto Latino, an organization that advocates for classical music by Latin American and Latino composers through performance and education. In addition, he is a chamber musician, bilingual teaching artist, and arts advocate from the San Francisco Bay Area. As a French horn player he performs professionally in orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the region.

Live Auction

LOT 1

A Night Out To See Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks in Concert

October 3-4, 2025

Your weekend begins with a two-night stay at Shashi Hotel in Mountain View. Then enjoy door-to-stadium car service on the way to the biggest musical event in the Bay: One Night—One Stage—Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks!

New York native and musical icon Billy Joel, considered one of the most beloved recording artists and entertainers in history, teams up with legendary singer, songwriter, and storyteller Stevie Nicks for one unforgettable night at Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara. This marks Joel’s first Bay Area performance in ten years and the debut for both artists at Levi’s® Stadium.

Includes $200 gift card to Evvia Estiatorio (Palo Alto); two nights at Shashi Hotel (Mountain View): October 3-4; two premium seat concert tickets for October 4; and $500 credit for car service to and from stadium.

Donated by Melinda and John DiNapoli, Judy and George Marcus, and Shashi Hotel

LOT 2

Exquisite Private Champagne & Caviar Tasting For Eight

At the Beautiful Home of Charmaine and Dan Warmenhoven

Few things in life are as beautifully suited to each other as fine champagne and caviar. As part of this exquisite tasting experience, you will appreciate just how sublime that pairing can be! You and your group will arrive via private transportation at the Warmenhovens’ lovely home, where you will enjoy a selection of delicious champagnes, served with an assortment of delectable caviars and hearty hors d’oeuvres. After the incredible tasting and sparkling conversation, the private limousine will whisk you home. Whether a couples’ outing or a fabulous ladies’ night out, this will be a one-of-a-kind gourmet indulgence of unparalleled quality.

Date and time to be mutually agreed upon

Donated by Charmaine and Dan Warmenhoven

LOT 3

An Exclusive Private Styling Session and Custom Couture with Azadeh Riaz

One lucky winner will receive $2,500 in credit, redeemable towards custom couture services or personalized styling with the visionary designer and founder of House of Azadeh. The winner will have the benefit of meeting with Azadeh personally, where she will be able sketch a custom design, then proceed to work through the steps of custom couture. These steps include sourcing exclusive fabrics and a series of fittings to ensure a perfect fit and look.

This is a rare opportunity to experience the world of bespoke fashion through the hands of a true couture master, all while supporting a meaningful cause.

With over three decades of experience in the world of high fashion, Azadeh began her illustrious career as the head of design and manufacturing for BEBE, where her impeccable sense of style and craftsmanship quickly set her apart.

Today, she is celebrated as a master of French-style custom couture, bringing old-world elegance into the modern age.

Azadeh is known for using only the finest, most luxurious French fabrics and styling with an artist’s eye—personally curating each look to suit the unique sensibilities of her discerning clientele. Her designs are not only garments but enduring statements of individuality and sophistication.

Donated by Azadeh Riaz, House of Azadeh

LOT 4

Private Styling Session and Custom Sport Coat with Franco Masoma

So many people go through life never discovering their true style, often settling for clothing that doesn’t reflect who they are inside.With 25 years of experience styling celebrities and executives, Franco Masoma brings unparalleled expertise in designing a look that you’ll love—a look that reflects your inner energy.

In this exclusive experience, enjoy a personalized 90-minute styling session one-on-one with Franco himself to design a bespoke sport coat, made to your exact measurements and aesthetic, crafted with master care in Italy.

Franco Masoma is more than a designer—it is a story of perseverance, creativity, and excellence.

Franco arrived in the United States in the late 1980s as a refugee of the Soviet-Afghan war, with no financial support, no connections, and no safety net—only a passion for fine tailoring and a dream to one day create something of lasting value. Over the next three decades, Franco built his reputation one stitch at a time, designing garments for discerning professionals and entrepreneurs across the Bay Area.

Franco Masoma is currently ranked as the number one men’s custom clothier in California, setting the standard in a competitive field of over 2,000 retailers. His Los Gatos showroom is a destination for those who value subtle luxury, personalization, and exceptional service. Each piece is crafted by generational artisans in Rome and Napoli, Italy, using the world’s finest materials.

Franco’s work has been featured on news anchors, startup founders, industry leaders, and global philanthropists. He believes that how you dress is a reflection of how you lead—and that confidence, dignity, and presence begin with a well-made garment.

Supporting Montalvo Arts Center is a natural extension of Franco’s philosophy: to use one’s gifts to uplift others and enrich the cultural fabric of the community.

Donated by Franco Masoma

LOT 5

7 Night Stay for Eight at the Lau’eki Estate

Hualalai ~ Sweeping Views ~ Infinity Pool

Welcome to your tranquil oasis at the exclusive Lalani Lau’eki Estate at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort. This private estate is nestled between exquisite and expansive ocean and Hualalai mountain views—perfect for beautiful Hawaiian sunsets. Enjoy sweeping views of the Ke’olu Golf Course from the spacious lanai. The Hualalai Four Seasons restaurants, resort amenities and beach are a brief golf cart ride away. Your retreat in paradise awaits you!

Overview

6,502 sq. ft. interior space; spacious lanai and dining space
4 bedrooms for 8 guests maximum; the 4th bedroom is the private
Ohana Cottage; 4.5 bathrooms; 4 tropical outdoor shower gardens
Heated infinity pool and spill-over spa overlook gorgeous ocean views
Open floor plan with beautiful Asian and Hawaiian décor and
custom furnishings; Creston “Whole Home” automation
Arrival grocery shopping services available for a fee
Access to one 4-seater golf cart; a second cart is available to rent
Blackout days apply to ensure passes for the Four Seasons property are available

More details available on VRBO.

Donated by Allison and Tod Nielsen

LOT 6

Signed Archival Print by World-Renowned & Beloved Bay Area Artist
Hung Liu (1948-2021)

Migrant Child with Cat 7/9,
Archival pigment with gold leaf, 31¾ x 30¾ in. (2018)

This archival pigment print with gold leaf by Hung Liu is based on a photo taken by the noted American photographer Dorothea Lange, who photographed American migrant workers during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Despite his impoverished circumstances, the boy depicted shows tenderness to his pet. Hung’s bright contour lines instill in each subject a sense of energy coursing through the paintings, suggestive of a kind of American energy.
In China, Liu herself worked as a peasant laborer during the Cultural Revolution, so her empathy for these American subjects is rendered with heartfelt authenticity.

Hung Liu (1948 to 2021)

Born in Changchun, China, 1948, Hung Liu came of age under the communist regime of Mao Zedong. In her early 20s, Liu labored four years in wheat fields for proletarian re-education as part of Mao’s Cultural Revolution. In 1984, Liu entered the Visual Arts Department at University of California, San Diego, becoming an American citizen in 1991. She taught at Mills College in Oakland from 1990 until retiring in 2014.

Liu died in 2021 at her home in Oakland.

Hung Liu’s work is included in the collections of The Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Oakland Museum of California, and San José Museum of Art, CA, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO and the Los Angeles County Museum plus San Francisco and Oakland International Airports, to name a few.

Donated by Jeff Kelley, Trustee Hung Liu Estate

LOT 7

Original Ceramic Artwork by Internationally Recognized Bay Area Artist Artist Wanxin Zhang

Disciple #2, 17x15x12 in. (2017)

Disciple #2 is part of Wanxin Zhang’s “Heavenly Language” series. In 2017, the Disciples were selected for the first AnRen International Art Biennial in Chengdu, China.

Wanxin Zhang was born in ChangChun, China and graduated from the LuXun Academy of Fine Art with a degree in sculpture. After establishing his art career as a sculptor in China, he emigrated to the United States in 1992. Zhang was the recipient of the 2006 Virginia A. Groot Foundation Grant, and the 2004 Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors Grant. In 2019, Zhang was the subject of a major mid-career retrospective and accompanying monograph, Wanxin Zhang: The Long Journey, at the Museum of Craft and Design (San Francisco).

Wanxin Zhang’s work is exhibited widely.

Zhang’s work is in San Francisco Bay Area collections of the Asian Art Museum, Fine Arts Museums, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the Crocker Art Museum, and Cantor Arts Center; in the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (DC), the American Museum of Ceramic Art (Pomona, California), Annie Wong Art Foundation (Hong Kong), National Art Museum (Beijing, China), and the Ube Tokiwa Museum (Japan). Zhang lives and works in San Francisco. He is represented by Catharine Clark Gallery.

In 2022, Montalvo Arts Center acquired Color Face as an addition to its permanent collection.

Donated by Wanxin Zhang and Catharine Clark Gallery

LOT 8

An Intimate Private Concert with the Fabulous David Benoit

For 30 Guests at the Los Gatos Home of Scott McDonald and Loann Nguyen

Enjoy the musical stylings of acclaimed jazz pianist and GRAMMY-nominee David Benoit, a longtime Montalvo performing artist and friend, at this private concert. Hosted by Montalvo trustee Scott McDonald and Loann Nguyen at their beautiful historic Los Gatos home, the Crider Mansion, with hearty hors d’oeuvres provided by Hero Ranch Kitchen.

The Crider Mansion, named for J. Walter Crider who bought the home in 1920 and owned a popular department store on Main Street, was built between 1906 and 1908. This historic 6,500-square-foot Victorian eclectic home has a 30-foot by 40-foot great room with a piano where guests will be treated to this exclusive concert experience.

Date August 23, 2025

Donated by David Benoit; Scott McDonald and Loann Nguyen