B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

The second annual fall designer preview presented by Nordstrom South

Coast Plaza, featuring American and European designer collections,

attracted a large and diverse crowd at [seven-degrees] in Laguna Canyon.

The innovative and eclectic boutique threw a cocktail reception prior

to the early evening fashion show. Collections featured Badgley Mischka,

Celine, Chloe, Christian Lacroix, Dolce & Gabbana Black Label, Louis

Feraud, Gianfranco Ferre, Michael Kors, Robero Cavalli, Robert Danes,

Thierry Mugler, Versace, Valentino and Yigal-Azrouel.

The Nordstrom production featured a runway show with 28 models backed

up by seven makeup artists and hairstylists. Producers created vignettes

featuring 12 separate fashion scenes that delighted the crowd.

On hand for the fall fashion preview were Zee Allred, Carol Campbell,

Amanda and Barry Chapman, Sam and Linda Cohen, Paula Dior, Ellie Gordon,

Martha Green, Cathy Lowden, Denice and Brian Mock, Malcolm and Pamala

Paul, Sherri Winkler, Susan Samueli, Cathleen Vickers, June Wankier and

Gina Zaslavsky.

More than 140 people filled the Laguna Canyon site, which was filled

with florals provided by Christopher Aldama of Fiore Fresco. Guests

delighted in the hors d’oeuvres and desserts catered by Patina, while

viewing a portfolio of artwork displayed in the boutique by renowned

artist Ruben Toledo.

Toledo’s images incorporated a montage of both static and animated

figures, some of which have been featured in such publications as Vogue

and Harper’s Bazaar. In addition, his works have been exhibited at the

Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and at the Musee des Arts

Decoratives at the Louvre in Paris.

Also attending the very fashionable party were Karen Grover, Fern

Zahlen, Jessie Diamond, Trish Ino, Sherry Fu, Shouchen Lin, Karen Monaco,

Cheri Wright, Gloria Green, Dana Eggerts, Bonnie Lee Cleverly, Shirley

Adams and Heather Marin.

Nordstrom executives launched the concept of a fall fashion preview to

introduce Orange County society to couture prior to the start of the

social season on the California Riviera. The charitable events and

organized activities benefiting a myriad of causes have put Orange

County, and specifically the Newport-Mesa region in both the national and

international spotlight.

With more than 1,000 major charitable events taking place during the

social season it became an obvious necessity to offer some assistance and

coordination to the women that support the causes when it comes to

dressing for events. Otherwise stated, the fall fashion preview is also

an opportunity for the fashion conscious to not only explore their own

taste, but also to work with savvy retailers who will do their best to

ensure that no two elegant women are dressed alike at any event.

The Nordstrom fashion staff on hand for the party included Julie Kuns,

Pia Rochon, Sue Patneaude, Kylie Dayker-Allensworth and Penny Newman.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.

CUTLINE

1. From left, Jayni Clark, Sonya Grech, Valerie Webster and Eva LeBon

gathered to watch the new fall fashions at Nordstrom’s designer preview.

2. From left, Shelly Hupp of Laguna Beach, Cathy Lowden of Newport

Beach, Nordstrom Designer Salon manager Penny Newman and June Wankier of

Laguna Beach were part of the crowd at [seven-degrees] in Laguna Beach.

3. Andrea Gunn of Newport Coast (from left), Nordstrom’s Jacqui

Penner, and Gordon Gunn of Newport Coast watched the runways at the

Nordstrom-sponsored fashion show.