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StyleWeekOC returns to Fashion Island on shopping outlet’s 55th anniversary

Models wearing the latest fall trends in fashion walk the runway at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.
Models wearing the latest fall trends in fashion walk the runway for an encore during the annual StyleWeekOC kickoff fashion show, hosted by Neiman Marcus in Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Wednesday.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)
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Saturday is the day to be at Fashion Island at this year’s StyleWeekOC — the 11th such iteration since the event started and the shopping center’s 55th anniversary.

The weekend-long campaign kicked off Wednesday with a private fashion show at Neiman Marcus, heralding in this year’s theme of “Layers of Luxury” tempting fashionistas with a look at this season’s hottest and upcoming trends.

For the record:

10:49 a.m. Sept. 19, 2022A previous version of this story misspelled the name of Neiman Marcus.

The show benefited CASA OC, a Santa Ana nonprofit that serves abused, neglected and abandoned children through advocacy and volunteering. Leyla Vokhshoori, vice president of marketing for the brand, confirmed Friday about 10% of the sales made to CASA members at Neiman Marcus on Wednesday will go to the nonprofit.

A model wearing the latest in eyewear walks the runway during the annual StyleWeekOC kickoff fashion show.
A model wearing the latest in eyewear walks the runway during the annual StyleWeekOC kickoff fashion show. The show is Orange County’s premiere fashion event with this year’s theme, “Layers of Luxury.”
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

“This year’s looks featured the best in fashion from our fall campaign ... which encourages customers to live in the moment, find luxury in the everyday and stay true to their uncompromising personal style,” said Vokhshoori.

“Fall must-haves featured in the show were leather jackets, platform heels, bold colorways and structured tailoring from top tier designers like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Versace and Valentino,” said Vokhshoori. “Fashion is all about self-expression, and we hope this year’s show inspired attendees to embody confidence and optimism through their clothing choices.”

A model wearing walks the runway.
A model walks the runway during the annual StyleWeekOC kickoff fashion show on Wednesday at Fashion Island.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)
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Returning this year after a pandemic-related hiatus are the fashion and beauty panels organized by Simply. Four panels will be held on the lawn in front of Neiman Marcus, with the first of these scheduled for 12 p.m. Three others will follow at the start of every new hour until 4 p.m.

Simply founder Sarah Boyd said her firm has been in touch with Fashion Island throughout the pandemic. Boyd said this is the fourth official year that Simply and Fashion Island have collaborated for StyleWeekOC.

“We formed a really great partnership because they loved what we were doing,” said Boyd. “Our panels were all about kindness, connecting, fashion, beauty and content creation ... it was a really organic partnership. They were looking to bring in these fantastic speakers and celebrities into their space and also create a community there. By working together, we then were able to bring our audience and our fan base down to Orange County, which was great.”

A panel organized by Fashion Island and Simply for StyleWeekOC in 2019.
(Allen Ling / Fashion Island)

Boyd said organization of the panels this year started in June, with finalization of those attending by August.

Expected speakers Saturday include activewear brand Joja co-founders Josephine Skriver and Jasmine Tookes in addition to Favorite Daughter co-founders Sara and Erin Foster. Also included are a number of fashion and beauty experts, influencers and television personalities. The talks are free to attend, though people are asked to register through Simply or Fashion Island’s website.

“StyleWeekOC is a very important tent pole for Fashion Island. It’s the fashion event for Orange County and Newport Beach that people look forward to every year. It’s something [Fashion Island] invests a lot of time and resources in. It brings the community together,” Boyd said. “A lot of people are in different places in life in the past two years so they might want to get inspired to start their new business or come with their friends and learn the newest trends.

“I know personally I’m always looking to better myself and learn … we’re in a time now where people just want to continue to better themselves in so many different ways and this is a great way to do that and also get connected,” she concluded.

StyleWeekOC will continue through the end of Sunday.

Handbags shown in the runway fashion show are wheeled out for shoppers.
Handbags shown in the runway fashion show are wheeled out for shoppers during the annual StyleWeekOC kickoff fashion show, hosted by Neiman Marcus in Fashion Island in Newport Beach.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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