Old Edwards Inn and Spa will host a Fall Fashion Show Luncheon on Thursday, September 8, 2011. Guest speaker, Richard René Silvin will speak from his memoir, Nobless Oblige, which features his friendship with the Duchess of Windsor.

Considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Mr. Silvin will address the fashion show luncheon at the Old Edwards’ Farm on September 8. Our speaker was the Duchess’ escort in Paris from the time she was widowed in May 1972 and until the onset of her long, final illness in 1975.

Rene has selected two-dozen representative pictures of the Duchess wearing a variety of outfits and jewelry from casual to formal including some propriety pictures that have never been seen by the public. The pictures of the fashion icon start in 1920 and cover every decade until the 1970’s.

Rene’s new book, “Noblesse Oblige, The Duchess of Windsor as I knew her” will be launched by the Palm Beach County Historical Society on November 9, 2011.

To reserve for the Fashion Show Luncheon, call 828-787-2625. Space is limited. Log onto www.oldedwardsinn.com/FallFashionShow for more details.

About Richard Rene Silvin
Richard Silvin was born in New York, and from the ages of seven through eighteen, he grew to adulthood within the confines of strict Swiss boarding schools. After earning his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University (1970) and an MBA from Cornell (1972), where he also later lectured and was voted one of the most successful graduates. He spent twenty-five years as a senior executive in a New York Stock Exchange hospital company. There Silvin rose to the head of the international division of American Medical International, Inc., which owned and operated one hundred hospitals in ten countries. His awards include being a Chevalier (Knight) of the Franco-Britanic Order. He has written numerous articles on hospital management and is listed in Who's Who in the World (1988), Who's Who in Finance and Industry, and Who's Who in Health Care.

About Old Edwards Inn and Spa (www.oldedwardsinn.com)

• Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 Hotel Spa in North America for 2010 with the First Ever Perfect Score in the 20-Year History of the Reader’s Survey
• Condé Nast Traveler’s #3 Hotel Spa in the United States for 2011
• 2010 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award (top ten in the US)
• 2011 TripAdvisor Reader's Choice Award for #4 Best Relaxation Spa Hotel in the U.S.
• 2011 TripAdvisor Reader's Choice Award for #2 Best Hotel for Romance in the U.S.
• 2011 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for Madison’s Restaurant
• Condé Nast Johansen’s Most Excellent Inn in the US and Canada 2008
• Forbes Four-Star Rated for both the Resort and The Spa
• AAA Four-Diamond Rated
• Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden has won the Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” every year since 2005 and the “Best Of” award since 2008.

Old Edwards Inn and Spa cascades along several blocks in downtown Highlands—a cultural mountain village that offers award-winning dining, wine events, art galleries and some of the nation’s top golf resorts. The European style resort welcomes visitors to North Carolina’s high country with its unique blend of relaxed luxury recognized worldwide. A spectacular outdoor heated mineral pool, world class spa, award-winning dining, and golf at the private Old Edwards Club are signature experiences at this full-service mountain resort.  Guests are surrounded by the warmth and character of Old-Europe architecture and authentic period antiques. Many rooms, cottages and suites offer private patios or terraces—some with captivating rooftop views of Main Street and downtown Highlands.  All of the luxury accommodations include champagne arrival, twice-daily housekeeping, two 24-hour business centers and two 24-hour Butler’s pantries with Dove Bars, fresh fruit and soft beverages. European bedding, fine Italian linens, plush robes & slippers, rainfall showers, heated-tile bathroom floors, in-room safes and Wi-Fi enhance the in-room experience. Old Edwards Inn and Spa also boasts a state-of-the art fitness center with wellness classes that include guided hikes into the scenic surrounding mountains known as “waterfall country.”

Guests enjoy onsite shopping at the Spa Boutique, Acorns Boutique or Acorns on Church featuring fine antiques and home accessories. Dining venues include Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden serving innovative New South Cuisine, the Spa Café and the Poolside Bar and Bistro. Special events and weddings take place at The Farm—a lushly landscaped Old Edwards property located one mile from downtown Highlands featuring The Barn, the Farmhouse with luxury lodging, Bridal Pavilion, Bridal Bridge over a scenic pond and outdoor events pavilion.  The Edwards Hall Conference Center provides a catered corporate retreat venue.

Also introduced in 2009 was Satulah, Old Edwards Private Residences, which includes 14 luxury mountain homes just two blocks off Main Street, Highlands. The Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond resort is located at 445 Main Street in Highlands, NC.