OC Fashion Week® begins with an indulgent blend of class, glamour and luxury…
Orange County Fashion Week®’s opening event buzzed with the excitement usually reserved for the fashion elite of Fashion Weeks around the world. When it comes to bringing together local and international fashion leaders, designers, stylists, media and brands, this is undoubtedly Orange County’s night of nights.
Classical figurines and bronze sculptures at the Dawson Cole Fine Art Gallery looked on as a glittering cocktail reception gala marked the official opening of OC Fashion Week® on Sunday night. Maserati of Newport Beach is this year’s presenting sponsor and has offered special front-row VIP reserve seating deal for the first-three days of runway presentations. A proportion of these ticket sales go to children’s charities JDRF and Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
A silent auction took place as guests enjoyed a selection of fine culinary farm-to-table cuisine. The World of Fashion Photography competition was announced and then all eyes turned to a special runway garden; a beautiful wraithlike setting at Dawson Cole to show off the latest designs of two hot emerging talents, Berenice Gonzales and Jonathan Jimenez.
“I want to make sure the world sees me as a designer – I want my name to be with the big shots and being able to showcase at OC Fashion Week® has given me an opportunity to do just that,” said Jimenez. “To succeed as a designer in the US you need the freedom to show the world your ideas, your emotions… your art. It’s what I love and I don’t see myself doing anything else.”
Sunday night was all about young designers like Jimenez and the role they play in the sustained growth of OC’s fashion sector. The start of the Autumn/Winter 2016 season coincides with the launch of Fashionably Responsible Initiatives that promote and support Orange County’s fashion economy. Apprenticeships, scholarship programs and student design competitions are intended to encourage education as a way to ensure a strong fashion workforce and develop the next generation of talented fashion entrepreneurs. OC Fashion Week® president Kathryn Marino says the fashion sector in Southern California’s wealthiest county has really taken hold in recent years and OC is emerging as a new ‘Fashion Capital’.
“The OC has become one of the most sought-after global destinations for retail shopping and the fashion industry has taken note. And it is so exciting to see our shows continue to grow through community support. We are all producers – the models, designers, photographers and stylists are all unified with a single vision – we are the future of fashion here in OC.”
There’s plenty of runway action and fun to come as each night of OC Fashion Week® promises something magical and, of course, fashionable.
Day Two of OC Fashion Week® creates waves in Southern California at the luxurious Coliseum Pool & Grille in Newport CoastEmerging designers show off their resort wear to key industry buyers with a backdrop of Pacific sunset views at The Resort at Pelican Hill NEWPORT BEACH, CA
With a panoramic ocean and sunset backdrop and poolside catwalk, day two of OC Fashion Week® was a fashionable success. Held at The Coliseum at The Resort at Pelican Hill, this world-class venue was matched only by the designs on display. From 6 to 9 pm, Fashion Forum 2016 showcased resort-wear and accessories from leading designers. Fashion Forum is a unique designer-buyer cocktail reception in which emerging talent got the opportunity to share and discuss their collections with key industry retail purveyors in a Shop the Runway format.
“At BeachCandy we strive beyond trends, we are much more interested in making the swimsuit of each woman’s dreams. We love showcasing alongside all the local designers at OCFW as we celebrate each season’s remarkable Collection of BeachCandy.” Also included in the special night was day two of the World of Fashion Photography competition. Adding to the dramatic backdrops and fashion show were fashion photographers live photo shoots. The evening was presented and curated by the OC Fashion Council. # # #About OC Fashion Council: In addition to being the leading platform for Orange County’s emerging designers, the OC Fashion Council advisory advocates for fashion that influences, teaches, informs, and entertains. We encourage forward-thinking retailers and designers who embrace corporate social responsibility and create business missions that promote positive social change in fashion, arts and entertainment. Media Contact: Claire Farwell 855-365-0247 ext. 167 Claire@OCFashionWeek.com
OC Fashion Week® 13-16 March