Eduardo Lucero design on the runway last March at Fashion Week El Paseo
Design in the Desert
With LA Fashion Week wrapped, the fashion crowd next heads to Palm Springs, Calif., for Fashion Week El Paseo.
The event kicks off on April 2 with a high-profile lineup that includes Monique Lhuillier, Zandra Rhodes, Marc Bouwer, St. John’s Marie and Kelly Gray, Michael Costello and Ryan Ryan.
This year, the event celebrates its 11th anniversary with a weeklong schedule of events including runway shows, trunk shows and parties.
Events run through April 9 and there are still tickets available for the runway shows, which are held in a tented venue on El Paseo, the luxe shopping district in Palm Desert, Calif.
The event’s official press release includes a comment from Bouwer, whose designs have been worn by A-listers such as Beyonce, Angelina Jolie Pitt, Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum:
“I am thrilled to be featured at Fashion Week El Paseo, one of the best-known fashion events on the West Coast. Most of all, I can’t wait to host my trunk show and have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Fashion Week attendees about what fashions they love and what they’re looking for next for their wardrobe.”
Other events include Le Chien “canine couture” runway show and fund-raiser, which benefits the Humane Society of the Desert and a Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising runway show and benefit for the Junior League and Women Leaders Forum. There’s also the El Paseo Rocks event and fund-raiser for the GirlFriend Factor.
Ten of El Paseo’s most coveted shopping destinations – BBOne, Bikram Yoga, Blonde, Democracy, Diane's Beachwear, Eileen Fisher, El Paseo Jeweler, Nina Macklemore, Out of Your Closet, and Tommy Bahama – will unveil Spring 2016 desert trends and debut an exclusive preview of Fall 2016’s up-and-coming styles.
In addition to Costello, the Fashion Week El Paseo will feature several other “Project Runway” alumns including Anthony Ryan Auld, Peach Carr, Jesus Estrada, Antonio Estrad, Michael Knight, Justin Leblanc, Valerie Mayem, Kimi Zamora, Casanova and Christopher Straub.
“Fashion Week El Paseo is a significant experience featuring the fashion world’s most promising rising stars,” said Susan Stein, fashion editor of Palm Springs Life, which produces the annual event. “Attendees of all ages return each year because of the unique experience they receive while connecting directly with a compelling group of designers from contemporary to couture. Cutting-edge designers constantly strive to feature their collections at our events because it provides them with an opportunity to interact with attendees particularly at their trunk shows.”
The event typically draws more than 13,000 attendees and supports more than 100 local charities including Fashion Group International Inc., The GirlFriend Factor, Variety, The Children’s Charity, Junior League of Palm Springs Desert Communities, Desert Outreach and the Humane Society of the Desert.
Sponsors include the Saxony Group, the City of Palm Desert, El Paseo, The Resort at Pelican Hill, The Island Hotel, Desert European Motorcars Indigo Auto Group, Jóse Eber, Donna MacMillan, John and Victoria Hill, The Gardens on El Paseo, El Paseo Village, Grayse, The Jewelry Bar, El Paseo Jewelers, Tequila Alderete, Wink Lash & Beauty Bar, Just Blow Drys, Rum Chata, Buzzbox, Raymond James, Phenix Salon Suites, Jensen’s, VOSS, Whole Foods Market and My Little Flower Shop.
