The World Missed a Fashion Capital: The OC

With $35 billion in annual sales and a fashion week emerging, isn’t it time to finally recognize Orange County for what it is? A true fashion capital.

Ask most people to name the fashion capitals of the world and they’re likely to ramble off a list that includes, Paris, London, New York, Milan … maybe even Los Angeles. It’s highly probable that Orange County would not be top-of-mind. But, considering the retail, economic, and fashion power this affluent Southern California destination packs, leaving it off any list of fashion capitals is a clear mistake.

The home of the respected and growing OC Fashion Week®, Orange County retailers ring up $35 billion a year in sales – more than perpetual fashion capital nominee London. Orange County is also home to the highest grossing retail center in the U.S., South Coast Plaza, which boasts $1.5 billion in annual sales. Shoppers fly in from every corner of the globe – and many so-called fashion capitals like New York, London, Paris, even as far away as Tokyo – to shop at the center’s high-end retailers such as Gucci, Tiffany’s, and Armani, among others.

Despite all this, many fashion center rankings refuse to give Orange County its due, with New York topping many hot lists, such as Vogue Magazine’s ranking, which was based on the number of Internet popular word searches, a notoriously unreliable indicator. Orange County’s neighbor Los Angeles, however, regularly makes these lists. And while Los Angeles and its annual Fashion Week is certainly impressive and worthy, Orange County is now arguably on a par with its longtime neighbor to the north.

Much of this is due to attention garnered by OC Fashion Week® (OCFW), which is fast-becoming a major west coast event. “Orange County Fashion Week® is centered on a metropolis that boasts purchasing power over and above some fashion capitals in leading countries, but it also possesses fashion tourism and international commerce,” says Kathy Marino, president of OC Fashion Week®.

She says it’s no wonder that Orange County has its own international airport catering to many retail jet setters – an impressive stat given its proximity to LAX. “I can honestly say that Orange County is a leading fashion capital, not only in the U.S. but on a global scale, and is a leader in the retail markets. That is, quite frankly, indisputable,” says Marino.

This year, OC Fashion Week® runs from March 13 through March 16 and is presented by Masarati of Newport Beach. The event includes 28 local and international fashion designers, catwalks, and five-star luxury venues around the county, including The Resort at Pelican Hill. From the opening night to the last, guests will enjoy the glamour and luxury of high fashion alongside the artwork of internationally renowned sculptor Richard MacDonald at Dawson Cole Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Garden.

In addition, this year will see the 2nd Annual Pandemonium: World of Fashion Photography Awards, and the Fashioned for the Future competition presented by the Art Institute of California, Orange County hair presented by Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy, make-up by Manna Kadar Cosmetics, and accessory styling presented by Betinnis in Brea.

Benefitting Orange County charities such as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Orangewood Children’s Foundation, the week’s events will be covered by Orange County’s premier fashion television show, “Fashionista Now Boarding.” With all the buzz and anticipation for this year’s event, perhaps Orange County will finally get the recognition it’s due.

Model: Cambria Martinsen