Riverview Park looked like a glamour capital ... a magnet and mecca for the beautiful and beautifully dressed at Saturday's drop-dead gorgeous Spring Hat Luncheon . The perfectly manicured site, nestled below Allegheny Observatory in the North Side, was in full bloom with orchids, hydrangeas, peonies and roses -- and that was just on the hats. The crowd tipped theirs to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy 's mission of protecting and revitalizing our four urban oases. Partnering with the city, PPC is now training its sights on restoring the historic Riverview Chapel picnic shelter to its original Victorian design. Proving that life is better than the movies was the parade of 600 high-maintenance ladies in tip-toppers that were showstoppers. Capping the crowd were ornate sculptures in straw and confections bedecked with flowers, feathers and froufrou flounces in colors that Revlon would covet. Only better. Even if you hadn't grown up with a ball cap, how could you keep your Blahniks on? Damsels threw those little black dresses to the wind and turned their brights on with chichi suits and flirty garden party numbers as smooth as the mimosas and the jazzy Kenny Blake trio at cocktails. Planned to perfection for five years by co-chairs Nadine Bognar , Dr. Helene Blodgett , Lynn Davenport and Ranny Ferguson , with floral designer Tim Condron and Bill Chisnell, who produced the event, every detail was a high-wire act in dazzlement and delight ... the ninth time around. And having raised $400,000, it was a blooming success! Moss topiaries studded with orchids and suspended from shepherd hooks lined the walkway to the new oval big-top where the floral fireworks began. In an explosion of color, Mosaic's smart black table covers were overlaid in boldly patterned runners to match the lavish bouquets of fuchsia or chartreuse roses that were positioned high and low for perfect sight lines. Sublime, I tell you. As was the Duquesne Club's chilled menu that brought back memories of a little place in Venice. Because a party is only as special as its guests, these did not go unnoticed: PPC prexy Meg Cheever ; hizzoner Luke Ravenstahl with Erin ; County CEO Dan Onorato with Shelly ; J oan Gulley; Sylvia Fields; Guy Costa; Audrey and Tim Fisher; Elsie Hillman; honorary chairs Cynthia and David Stanchak; Sarah Nichols; Barbara Chait; Helen Hanna Casey; Annie Engel; Dara Henne; Susan Nernberg; Jodi Amos; Pat Siger; Marsha Deaktor; Judy and Taylor Linaburg; Marsha Deaktor; Catherine, Caroline and Dianna Loevner ; Dr. Susan Obagi; Selma Sherman; Dr. Esther Barrazone; Phyllis and C arol Davis; Joanie and Angela Kamin; Barb Mendlowitz; Jessica O'Brien; Jane Burton; Carol Caroselli; and hats off to next year's co-chairs Susie Dorrance, Christine Hilliard, Peggy McKnight and Charena Swann . Continuing to drop names: Jane Roesch; Karen Oberg; Hilary Linder; Jill and Ayellet Rubinstein; Laura Kronk; Pam Bryan; Nessa Mines; Marge Kane; Cary Reed; Judge Kim Clark; Amy Morgan; Deb Foster; Sheila Hyland; Donna Southard; Judy Davenport; Pam Chapple; Jan Wagner; Jeanne Rudov; Gabriela Porges; Lou Gailliot; Eleanor Schano Feeney; Dr. Ellen Roth; Dolores Barber; Susan Marsee; Rose Kutsenkow; Marsetta Schweiger; Carol Sirianni; Bonnie Walker Chirigos; B.J. Leber; Vi Gallo; Jan Meade; Judy Woffington; Kathy Klingelhofer; Brigitte Pavlik; Penina Lieber; Phyllis Kokkila; Betty Best; Debbie Dunn; Ada Davis; Trish Hooper; Lindsay Peksa; Erika Wehmeier; Lisa Schroeder; Heather Chronis; Julia Gleason; Gigi Saladna; Julie Dever; and Mary McVay with sons Tim and Jack . The luncheon's cause and go-for-broke glamour are so irresistible, they leave you utterly convinced that, yes, beauty can restore the soul. And given the winter that's just passed, how wonderful life is to have a day like this in the park. In Fashion Move over tulips. On Thursday, more than 100 ladies put their stamp on spring with a fashion show and luncheon in Oakland. The runway held a bevy of Concordia Club members in hot haute fashions by Carabella of Oakmont, courtesy of Carol Kinkela, that moved us into looks for summer in Nantucket and winter in Palm Beach. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Jewish Family and Children's Service outreach programs to thousands in our community. CC prez James Glick shined as wife Fran graced the runway. John Spear served as runway commentator. Strutting their stuff were Iris Amper Walker; Annette Blum; Cheryl Finlay; Sally Goldhaber; Phyllis Baskin; Phyllis Jacobson; Alice Jaffe; Cher Kotovsky; Marian Finegold; Patti Shensa; and Harriet Franklin. -- Karen Bryant Keeping the Faith Heavenly sounds of a harp wafted on high as native son Donald Wuerl , archbishop of our nation's capitol, greeted patrons at a private reception before keynoting the 25th Bishop's Annual Dinner on Friday at the Hilton Pittsburgh. The archbishop, shepherd of the Pittsburgh diocese for 18 years, received the Caritas (charity) Award at the Silver Lining of Hope Dinner for 840 black-ties, which raised nearly $600,000 for Catholic Charities. This worthy organization serves many needy folks in our community who seek its help. Also saluting honorees Katherine Freyvogel, president of Oakland Catholic High School, and David O'Brien of Highmark, were Bishop Paul Bradley; Auxiliary Bishop William Winter (ret.); co-chairs Art and Greta Rooney; Ann and Chris Donahue; Pamela and William Batz; Louis and Sandy Loughren; Bruno and Rosi Bonacchi; William Meyer; Barbara and William Boswell; Peggy and Steve Snavely; Mike Clark; Judge Joy Conti; Hoddy and Mary Anne Hanna; John Goetz; Jim Leeper; Carol and Keith Loiselle; Aimee and Jesse Campayno; and Mark Sheperd. -- Sandra Donovan