Style Week OC hints at fall at Fashion Island
It may technically still be summer (the autumnal equinox is Sept. 23) in Orange County, but the rainy weather on Saturday felt more like fall at Fashion Island.
The shopping center was host to celebrate the sixth event during the eighth annual Style Week OC, which runs through Saturday.
The three-stop style circuit that showcases ready-to-wear looks, couture designs and pre-fall runway shows at Fashion Island, the Irvine Spectrum Center and The Market Place in Irvine and Tustin, dialed up the drama during the Fashion Island Collection and Celebrity Cruises Design Competition.
Clothing designer, former “Project Runway” contestant and competition host Nick Verreos kicked off the show by greeting hundreds of attendees surrounding the runway that would present a limitless street-style inspiration.
“How stunning is it to be here?” Verreos asked as he stood on a platform centered in the Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus courtyard. “This is my eighth year of hosting Style Week OC, and my first time ever hosting at Fashion Island, so let’s christen the runway. You all look so stylish.”
The show began with a challenge among four Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) graduate students to create resort-wear looks that evoked “modern luxury.”
The competition, presented by Celebrity Cruises, featured the students’ designs that would complement Celebrity Cruise’s onboard offerings, including a lawn club, restaurant, nightclub and shopping galleria.
Each model strutted down the runway wearing customized looks, including a yellow cropped pant outfit and a cream-colored cocktail dress, but the audience would have to wait to learn of the winner at the conclusion of the fashion show.
Fashion enthusiasts kept a close eye on the emerging micro-trends on the runway, noticing that the smallest details make the biggest impact.
The designers, including Bebe, Gary’s and department stores Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, showcased trends such as dark colors while reinforcing the fashion thought that ankle boots are the season’s staple.
The appearance of graphic, black-and-white tops and skirts was followed by tailored and menswear-inspired chic suits by Elie Tahari.
There was plenty of sparkle on the runway, especially through the evening-gown collection of shimmering dresses during the Neiman Marcus presentation.
And tights in the winter translated to extra-large fishnets, stripes and lace.
Menswear trends spotlighted shearling, the three-quarter length coat, newsboy caps and layering sweaters and leather jackets.
Verreos returned to the runway and introduced the judging panel, including Celebrity Cruises team manager Marilys Ward, Nordstrom Fashion Island store manager Sung Cho-Rothe and Orange Coast magazine style editor Julie Gallego.
“It was very difficult to choose the winner,” Verreos said as the student designers and their models returned to the runway. “The designs were great.”
The $2,000 check was awarded to Francesca Lake for her interpretation of the cruise line’s Luminae Restaurant. The outfit featured pants with a detached train that could also be worn as a floor-length cape.
“They were all very talented and put such thought into each piece,” Gallego said after the ceremony. She also remarked that designer Lilit Markosyan’s hand-sewn floral cocktail dress was beautifully well-made.
The Fashion Island in-store fashion parties featured jeweler Kendra Scott, whose boutique hosted cocktails and sweets while raising awareness and funds for Fash United, a nonprofit supporting human rights and equality.
The fashion trends will carry on with a schedule of three shows, closing at Irvine Spectrum Center. All are free to the public, unless otherwise noted, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis:
• Surf and Action Sports Showcase: 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, 670 Spectrum Center Drive.
• Saturday Style: In-store parties at Charming Charlie, Loft, Off Broadway Shoes, Stein Mart and White House Black Market. 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 19 at The Market Place, off Jamboree Road between El Camino Real and Bryan Avenue in Tustin and Irvine.
• Spectrum Collection Show and Celebrity Cruises Design Competition: 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center. Verreos will host a show of resort wear by designers from FIDM.
For more information, visit styleweekoc.com.