Fashion Week El Paseo 2011 Wrap Up

Sixth annual Fashion Week El Paseo, drawing record-breaking crowds to El Paseo.

Site Staff Fashion Week El Paseo

Popular West Coast designers — two of them from Palm Springs — propelled the sixth annual Fashion Week El Paseo, drawing record-breaking crowds to the heart of Palm Desert’s most luxurious shopping district.

Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen, Piazza Sempione, and Diane Von Furstenberg were among the designers featured in the Best of Saks Fifth Avenue, followed by the Runway Bar event that showcased designers cherry-picked by 16 El Paseo retailers.

The vibe changed dramatically by day three, when Denise Robergé skewered politicians and tackled social issues through innovative fashion, larger-than-life photo projections, and eight poignant musical selections.

The standing-room-only Project Runway show featured three finalists from season eight — standout Mondo Guerra, local favorite Michael Costello, and Christopher Collins — who debuted new collections for the event.

Emerging designers from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising offered a variety of fresh designs, while Trina Turk demonstrated the universal appeal of the colorfully patterned retro swim and loungewear inspired by the Palm Springs aesthetic.

The week’s marquee designer, Oliver Tolentino, presented a jaw-dropping show of eco-friendly cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and bridal wear.

In addition to the runway shows (and the pre- and after parties), Fashion Week El Paseo partnered with about a dozen hair and makeup salons and day spas for the popular Style & Beauty Bash.

Read on for complete coverage of Fashion Week, and visit www.fashionweekelpaseo.com to view videos and many more photographs from all the events.


THE EVENTS

Style & Beauty Bash — Sunday March 20, 2011
Best of Saks Fifth Avenue — Sunday, March 20, 2011
Fashion Runway Bar — Monday, March 21, 2011
Rocking Robergé Spectacular — Tuesday, March 22, 2011
True Glitz: Rendezvous, Rodeo & Rhinestones — Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Project Runway — Wednesday, March 23, 2011
FIDM Debut 2011 — Thursday, March 24, 2011
Trina Turk Presents "Palm Springs Eternal" — Friday, March 25, 2011
Designer of the Week – Oliver Tolentino — Saturday, March 26, 2011
Charity Bachelor Auction — Monday, March 28, 2011


THE DESIGNERS


THE STORES

Designer of The Week
Oliver Tolentino

Palm Springs Eternal
Trina Turk

Rocking Robergé Spectacular
Denise Robergé

Project Runway
Christopher Collins
Michael Costello
Mondo Guerra

FIDM – Debut 2011
Ethan Bartlett
Adelle Louise Burda
Hannah Childs
Kristine Flanigan
Paul Hernandez
Airi Isoda
Pam Mbanga
Alexandra Paulus
Kamelia Stojanikova
Hualei Sun

The Best of Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue

Fashion Runway Bar
BbOne
Bebe
Cactus Flower Shoes
Chelsea Taylor
Dani C
Don Vincent Menswear
Eileen Fisher
El Paseo Jewelers
Josie’s Heart
She She
She She Kids
Tink Boutique
Tommy Bahama
V&G Hip Wear and Accessories
Wayne’s Collection
White House/Black Market


THE SPONSORS

Palm Springs Life Magazine
ACE Hotel & Swim Club
Angela Romeo
Belgard Hardscapes
Belvedere Vodka
BIGHORN BAM
Brandt Kuhn
California Date Administrative Committee
Christy Majors
City of Palm Desert
Debra G. Aarthun
Denise DuBarry Hay —
     Bikram Yoga University Village
Donna McMillan
Dr. Charles Stricker —
     On the Go Radiology
Dr. Mark Vincent Sofonio
Dwight Polen
Egg&Dart. LTD.
Eisenhower Imaging Center
El Paseo Jewelry
El Paseo Merchants
El Paseo Village
Eventscape

Farley Interlocking Pavingstones
Fashion Group International
Helene Galen
Inn at Deep Canyon Palm Desert
InSanity – Denise Robergé
Integrated Wealth Management
Jackie Lee Houston
James Casey
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Mercedes-Benz of Palm Springs
Michele Sarna
Monte De Oro Winery
Olympic Cellars
Over the Rainbow Cupcakes
Palm Court Inn Palm Springs
Palm Springs Travel Lodge
Riviera Palm Springs
Selby Dunham
The Fashion Group International, Inc.
The Gardens on El Paseo
Time Warner Cable
TRIO Restaurant
Viceroy Palm Springs
Victoria McFarland
Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa