September is the global fashion month. London, Milan, Paris and New York had its live catwalk shows where it showcased some of the flagbearers of fashion and a raft of emerging fashion designers. Back here in southern California there’s OC Fashion Week. The Orange County Fashion Week with its tagline “The Luxury Market of California” is led by Kathryn Marino. OCFW was born in 2005 by FIDM students and Marino became the owner in 2012.
OC Fashion Week is now authenticated by the Council of Fashion Designers of American (CFDA) as an associate member which means designers will now have access to New York fashion week and workshops and resources to support their endeavors exclusive to designers that participate .
The day started off shrouded by clouds with some sprinkles but it cleared up before the live catwalks. It was a nice weather at the World Peace Lake in Aliso Viejo. It was the perfect setting with fountains and a built in runway between the lake where models strutted in stylish designers’ clothes. As spectators filled the seats and photographers claimed their spots, Kathyrn Marino, the president of OC Fashion Week walked in the middle pathway to tell the crowd to put on their headsets because the show is about to start. Yes, there were no loud speakers at the venue. Instead, the staff handed free headsets when you purchased the tickets.
The fashion show kicked off with Anne Fontaine collection. Fontaine originally known for her creativity on designing women’s “the white shirt” but has expanded to ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, and accessories. During the show, Fontaine’s aesthetic was centered on colors black and white, black and beige, and simply black which can be worn for formal events, cocktails, or ladies night out.
In between the show, an intermission took place with a ballerina. It was beautiful to watch her in her black tutu.
On the second segment of the show was the lovely designs of Laura Vivienne. Making her runway debut at the OC Fashion Week her pieces celebrate the female form and the beauty of fluidity. The cutout halter top, spaghetti straps, strapless and backless gowns and skin-baring style were just simply elegant. Laura describes her clothes as full of life. “For me clothing is about life. I design with life in mind… emotion. What is this person doing in my dress? What moment is this for them? How do they want to feel? I want to create a brand full of life! All of it,” Laura remarked. The emerging designer also mentioned about her first runway show at the OC Fashion Week. “For me it was incredible. It was my first fashion show and opportunity to showcase my designs to the community on a runway. I loved meeting Kathy, the president of OCFW, and the incredible teams that make it all work. From the models to the DJ to the make-up/hair artists to the sponsors and photographers – all such an integral part of the show. I am grateful to them all as well as Soka University! It’s a very dreamy location for the first show.”
Special thanks to Sara Kil
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