OC Style Fab!


Several weekends ago, I had the pleasure of hosting--for the FOURTH consecutive year!--Style Week OC. This year, Style Week OC 2012 kicked off on Fashion's Night Out (September 6th) with fashion shows/events/parties at both Irvine Spectrum Center and Fashion Island.

I was in NYC doing an appearance/event unveiling the "Project Runway 10th Anniversary Dress Collection"at Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue during Fashion's Night Out so I couldn't be there, but...I flew back to the West Coast the following day (right after attending the Project Runway Season 10 Finale Fashion Show at Lincoln Center) to make sure I could host the Final FABULOUS night of Style Week OC 2012 that Saturday night at Irvine Spectrum.


The night involved TWO great fashion shows: the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition and the Irvine Spectrum Center Collection. The two runway shows were seamlessly put together and then afterward, was the important and final judging of who would win the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition.


Let's Start with Cadillac Design Competition:


Prior to the Runway Show, I had the honor of pre-judging the five looks created by designers from my Alma Mater, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM: Eduardo Reategui, Ahmad Murtaza, Steve McDonald and Chelsea O'Neill. I was joined by Christie Baca of Cadillac and Lejla Hasanagic, Irvine Spectrum Center Nordstom General Manager. They were tasked to create contemporary designs using denim--as well as actual Cadillac Car Components.


Each of the looks were inspired by the new Cadillac ATS and one of four international locales--Chile, China, Monaco and Morocco. These are World-re-known locations for testing riding dynamics and also featured in Cadillac Commercials/Ad Campaigns.



Irvine Spectrum Center Collection:

Right after the Cadillac Contemporary Design fashion show (and before the final judging announcement), the show continued with the "Spectrum Collection"--a fashion show highlighting Fall/Winter 2012 trends and looks from retailers at the Irvine Spectrum including...




And now the Cadillac Contemporary Design Winners:
  
The Cadillac Fan Favorite:

And the WINNER of the Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition 2012:





Post Show Pics:
Following the fabulous show, I spent some time posing at the official "Style Week OC 2012" Step-and-Repeat with lots and lots of guests--including many fashionistas and yes, a little doggie (I LOVE the doggies, of course!!):





Click Below for a Video Recap of Style Week OC 2012 Cadillac Contemporary Design Competition from the FAB allGLAMMEDupStyle:

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of hosting the Fourth Annual Style Week Orange County. It was spread out over two weeks of FAB events, including Runway Fashion Shows, In-store Designer Presentations and Appearances, and much much more!
I had an absolute BLAST hosting both the Opening Night Rack Rave Runway Shows and Party as well as the Runway Glam Slam Finale Shows at the amazing and just-so-gorgeous Irvine Spectrum. The Finale show, included THREE runway shows featuring the best in OC Surf and Sport Fashion, the latest styles and trends from Irvine Spectrum stores, as well as the much-anticipated "Cadillac: Contemporary Design" 2011 Competition, featuring designs inspired by Cadillac vehicles created by FIDM grads. Orange County COAST Magazine's website has a great video Recap of Style Week OC 2011's Runway Glam Slam night---Check it out:

Surf and Sport Fashionistas, Fall 2011 Irvine Spectrum Fab and Cadillac DIVAS...
This past Friday evening, I hosted the Finale of Style Week Orange County 2011 at the Irvine Spectrum Center in yes, the city of Irvine. It was the fourth annual Style Week OC and my third time being part of this Southern California fashion event. Last year, as you also may know, my NIKOLAKI design partner and I showed our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection there and it was FABULOUS! The night was entitled "Runway Glam Slam" and it featured THREE runway fashion shows including the OC Surf Sport Showcase, The Spectrum Collection featuring Fall 2011 Trends from the top Irvine Spectrum stores, and finally, the 2nd Annual Cadillac: Contemporary Design Competition. So let's Recap: Runway Glam Slam was set to begin at 7pm and all the hundreds of seats were set out with FAB Style Week OC 2011 Goodie Bags (above) --in a sectioned-off area at the foot of the AMAZING Irvine Spectrum "Giant Wheel". First up was the OC Surf Sport Showcase, presenting all the surf-and-active wear fashion that put Orange County on the "International Fashion Map". Models strutted the latest from brands and stores like Vans, Macy's, Target, Old Navy, SALVATION, Tilly's, among others:
Next up was "The Spectrum Collection": This section of the runway shows focused on the latest Fall 2011 styles and trends from the top Irvine Spectrum Center stores. The fashions ranged from high-end denim, sweater layering, glittery cocktail dresses and some Retro-inspired ensembles from stores like Lucky, Max Studio, Macy's, Kaitlyn, Buckle, Windsor, Forever 21 and Nordstrom.
Then it was the much-anticipated Cadillac: Contemporary Design Runway Show and Competition. But first, I noticed a crowned beauty in the audience--front row, of course. It happened to be the reigning Ms. America 2011 (not to be confused with Miss America), Tracy Broughton. After announcing her presence to the Style Week OC audience, she even let me put on her $35,000 diamond-and-ruby crown!!!
Four graduates from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM designed, created and showed their runway interpretations of Cadillac luxury vehicles using actual CAR PARTS! The designs were to be directional and CONTEMPORARY, as the Contest Title suggested. In other words--no "KRAZEE Is-That-a-TWENTY-Foot-Train? Couture" here darlings. The designs would be judged by Gary White of Tustin Cadillac and his stunning and very stylish wife Carol White, Leijla Hasanagic, Irvine Spectrum Center Nordstrom General Manager, and yours truly...yes, ME!!! The prizes: $500 for the Cadillac Facebook Page Fan Favorite and $2,000 for the First Place Winner. Both prizes coming from Tustin Cadillac (LOVE THEM!) The Cadillac Designs: Airi Isoda: Airi's outfit consisted of a cropped jacket and a skort (skirt with shorts underneath). It was elegant and chic and inspired by the Cadillac SRX. The jacket had sleeve embellishments that were actual car brake lights and the shoes: yep, those are seat belts. Alexandra Paulus: Inspired by the Cadillac CTS V Coupe, Alexandra's "Hot Girl On a Night Out" look included silver skinny pants, a very NOW black shoulder-padded jacket, iridescent organza gold-colored shirt and black bustier. The belt buckle had the iconic Cadillac emblem and she also used industrial material for the clutch and those jacket shoulder details. Ethan Bartlett: His design--which was inspired by the Cadillac CTSV Sedan--was sporty and sexy to say the least. Ethan made a loose tank and then printed the Cadillac logo on it. He added a teeny-tiny menswear-inspired vest and a sexy silver mini. In case you're wondering, the skirt: completely made out of Cadillac Car Seat Belts. Herve Leger by Max Azria better watch out! Or at the very least, hire him! Kristine Flanigan: Last but not least, Kristine designed an ensemble which was inspired by the Cadillac Hybrid Escalade. It consisted of a t-shirt with the Cadillac emblem/flag colors (which she engineered into the top via multiple pattern pieces), a mesh-and-rubber bolero jacket with metal "piping/binding", and the BEST fitting pants I have seen in a LONG TIME! The waistband and pocket flaps were made from car material and the necklace used the Cadillac Escalade HYBRID emblem. The Winners Were (Drum Roll!):
Ethan Bartlett (left) took the "Cadillac Facebook Page Fan Favorite" prize of a $500 Check from Tustin Cadillac with his seat belt mini-and-Cadillac printed tank look and the First Place Winner of $2,000 (The judges' No. 1) was Kristine Flanigan (right) and her black pant, Cadillac T-shirt and cropped mesh-and-rubber jacket ensemble. Both were ECSTATIC for winning...and VERY SURPRISED! I was very happy--not only as a Judge, but as an Alumnus of FIDM. So PROUD of them; as they say (OK, as I say): They DONE DID well! It made for the perfect ending to another fashionable and very successful Style Week Orange County!

Three Fabulous Runway Shows, One Night!!!
As you know, Style Week Orange County 2011 has been happening all this week with fabulous events in both the Irvine Spectrum Center and Fashion Island in Newport Beach. I hosted the Opening Night "Kick Off" Party--Rack Rave--last Friday night and it was a great success!! (as well as a lot of fun!). TOMORROW Friday October 7th is one of the BIG nights:
Beginning at 7pm, I am hosting Runway Glam Slam, the Finale of Style Week Orange County at Irvine Spectrum. There will be THREE--count 'em--three Runway Shows including: *The OC Surf Shop Showcase Runway Show--highlighting the surf and action sport brands that put Orange County on the map. *The Cadillac: Contemporary Design Contest--where aspiring designers--and graduates of my Alma Mater--the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising--will be showing their runway interpretations of Cadillac luxury vehicles using REAL CAR PARTS in their designs!! Very Project Runway!!!
And Last... *The Spectrum Collection--The Finale Runway Show, showing all the Fall 2011 Trends from the best of Irvine Spectrum Center retailers!! So, what else do you need?? Come out, dress your most Fashionista Fashionable (I'll have a secret photographer walking around taking pics FOR MY BLOG of all the top Stylistas of the night!) and yes, you can say "Hi" and take some fun Facebook Pics and I might even autograph your OC board shorts! CLICK HERE for all the Details and SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!

Coffee, Eggs...Fashion...and Me!!! I just got word that TOMORROW morning--Wednesday October 5--I will be doing a LIVE segment on L.A.'s Most Watched Morning News Program, Good Day L.A. on KTTV Fox 11. If you live in LA, you know the show is hosted by the FAB trio of Steve Edwards, Dorothy Lucey and Jillian Reynolds. I will not be in the studio but in fact will be LIVE from the Irvine Spectrum Center in Orange County talking about hosting Style Week OC 2011 and all the amazing events occurring during the week, including:

• Fashion Island runway presentations by Designers David Meister (tomorrow at 1pm)and Rachel Roy (Thursday at 1pm),

• Three Fashion Shows THIS Friday NIGHT--which I am Hosting--including Cadillac: Contemporary Design Competition

So, if you happen to be up tomorrow morning making your coffee or your breakfast omelet, tune in to Good Day LA--KTTV Fox 11, 7-9am (around 8/8:30am might be my air time) and watch! For More Info. on Style Week OC 2011:

• Style Week OC 2011 Events at Fashion Island, Click HERE

• Style Week OC 2011 Events at the Irvine Spectrum Center, Click HERE