grayse el paseo

Fashion Week El Paseo Packs Twice the Shine

Grayse and The Jewelry Bar tap into the desire for elegance and experimentation

Lisa Marie Hart Fashion Week El Paseo, Watch & Listen - Fashion Week

grayse el paseo

VIDEO: View the Grayse El Paseo Fashion Show.

 

VIDEO: View The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo fashion show.

 

“A Night of Diamonds and Grayse” was a night of matches well made. Tempering a hot spring evening under an air-conditioned tent, the Fashion Week El Paseo event last night paired locally designed fashions with international names in jewelry. What’s more, the hosts pooled a portion of their ticket sales to benefit Desert Cancer Foundation.

The first half of the 45-minute show spoke to fans of mother-daughter design duo, Kelly and Marie Gray. Devotees of Grayse got a peek at how the boutique’s latest collections take form off the rack and onto bodies in motion.

photo by greg peterson

The event’s second half roused excitement and set hearts racing with those few little words: “Are you guys ready to see $10 million worth of jewelry?” Glittering statement accessories from Ryan Ryan and The Jewelry Bar rounded out the show presented by local morning news anchor for KESQ, Bianca Rae. Handbags and swimwear from Gretchen Rossi’s line, Gretchen Christine, further enhanced the match.

In the design house’s second year along El Paseo, Grayse explored a tasteful side of modern dressing. More than 100 classy looks were on display, from attire for a business lunch or afternoon with the girls to formalwear fit for holidays in Hollywood. Elegance never goes out of style, and it provided a solid foundation even when some creations stepped outside the box to expose a shoulder or contrast a print. Two seasons of styles celebrated three-quarter-length sleeves, fluttering asymmetry across the torso, and no shortage of skinny pants.

photo by greg peterson

Breezy summer looks lined up in a Popsicle box of colors. A tangerine jumpsuit and a cherry shift dress with a clever zipper so you can CYOS (create your own slit) were easy must-haves. Enough barre classes and a youthful pair of black satin shorts might also slip into one’s midsummer rotation. For fall, texture reigned in elaborate beading, pieced fur jackets, supple hot pink leather gloves, and varied appliqués of what looked like shiny pebbles.

Nearly every ensemble caught the light with unabashed sparkle and shine. Dresses in high-dazzle fabrics appealed as did tops bearing black-and-white sequins stripes, reminiscent of the awning outside of Grayse. The eldest model brought a coy smile, twinkle in her eye, and a lively kick in her heels each time she turned. How refreshing, this glimpse of genuine personality along that long white road.

photo by greg peterson

Charissa Farley received the first ever Grayseful Heart award; local cancer survivor Jan Harnik (Palm Desert mayor pro tem) modeled several designs among the pros.

A shirtless male in trousers, loafers, and a revolver-sized medallion kicked off The Jewelry Bar portion of the night to whoops and hollers. Layered necklaces that lean toward long, stacked bangles, and tassels in any form are clearly still on trend. The chain game ranges from a singular thin loop to chunky links, bold pendants, and encrusted collars; anything goes as long as it commands positive attention.

photo by greg peterson

Instant gratification might well have been a draw for attendees. After the show’s end, both retailers were open for business, adding a shopping component to their show with a string of in-store events. Pieces that made one’s mental shopping list can easily beeline from the runway to one’s closet or jewelry box.

See it, love it, buy it — and not just under pressure at a fly-by-night flash sale. While both boutiques are hosting trunk shows, they are absent from buy-now-or-regret-it-forever fever. Just a block apart, they’re part of the community (so shop at will), not merely blowing through.

photo by greg peterson

Marie and Kelly Gray of Grayse El Paseo.

For people who missed Kelly Gray’s fashion presentation this morning’s Champagne breakfast, informal modeling Friday will preview the Grayse Summer 2016 Collection. Saturday’s trunk show offers dibs on Fall 2016 styles. A portion of in-store sales from designs that walked the runway are earmarked for the Desert Cancer Foundation.

Down the block at The Jewelry Bar, trunk shows through April 15 tempt an array of tastes. Mix and match baubles by five designers from the show: Armenta, Assael Fine Pearls, Konstantino, Nanis Italian Jewels, and Donald Huber.

photo by greg peterson

The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo.

photo by greg peterson

The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo.

photo by greg peterson

The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo.

photo by greg peterson

The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo.

photo by greg peterson

The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo.

photo by gary bindman

Ryan Ryan of The Jewelry Bar celebrates the Fashion Week El Paseo show in style.