What’s This? A Clothing Optional Land Rover Showroom???

Underwear was the only required clothing Saturday night at the Land Rover Showroom in Newport Beach.

What’s that, you say? 

Turns out it was all part of the Newport Beach Film Festival’s annual fundraiser, "The Art Underneath," featuring sexy, young models wearing nothing but lingerie and a smile.

About 400 people attended (yeah, no kidding) and close to $10,000 was raised. 

There was no word on why they chose a Land Rover showroom, however, as the vehicles seemed to have had nothing whatsoever to do with the whole thing. 

And what a “thing” it was, with hors d'oeuvres, a bar, a DJ, the “fashion show” and, of course, all of those nice shiny new Rovers in the background. Models posed in intimate, bedroom-like settings, playing cards, applying lotion or pretending to engage in sadomasochistic (!) games. Attendees crowded around various stages as the models slinked around, play acted and turned on the crowd.

"It's really sexy," said Christopher Luu, 24, of Garden Grove. "It's really over the top."

"She was hot," said Matt Belko, 23, of Costa Mesa, after one model wrapped up her bedroom-themed stint onstage. "I don't know much about what she was wearing, but I think she was absolutely beautiful. She was gorgeous."

The crowd consisted primarily of 20- and 30-somethings, but there were plenty of guys in their 40s and older...and about as many women as men in attendance.

"It's hot," said Jenna Kelso, 24, of Huntington Beach. "To see a guy get abused by a girl, that's pretty hot."

Of course, no one really got abused or hurt, as it was all just acting. And Gregg Schwenk, CEO and executive director of the Newport Beach Film Festival, was pleased with the turnout and the event.

"I think it definitely celebrates the art of intimate apparel," he said with a smile.

The 2009 film fest runs April 23-30. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the festival, and a number of special events are planned.  You may want to get your tickets early for this one. After all, there will be the entire 2009 line up of Land Rovers on display!