Fashion at the Park Starts With a Bang

I arrived ten minutes before the Nordstrom show began. The tents were packed with pretty people, press, and socialites ready to shop the runways. Like last year, the large (18,000 square feet) tented structure stands between Nordstrom and Macy’s in the parking lot. As I walked in, waiters greeted me with trays serving Moet, mimosas, and some cocktail made with Hennessy Cognac. Since I was running late, I decided to head straight to my seat. Amongst the almost full house of fashionistas, we spotted Jose Reyes, Matthew Earnest (who’s set to open a store next month but his lips were sealed on the location), Jacquelin Sewell, and Heidi Dillon. Nordstrom put on a good show featuring resort collections by Peter Som (pretty), Marc Jacobs (very 60’s mod), Missoni (a kaleidoscope of colored knits), Redux (vintage glam-got the most oohs and ahhs), Versace (lots of slinky gowns), Blumarine (fun Morracan prints), Andrew Gn, Roberto Cavalli, and Carmen Marc Valvo that were full of drool-worthy dresses perfect for social season. Afterward, everyone gathered at Nordstrom to get their goodie bags (cute note cards) and shop.

photo by Evans Caglage

On a side note, there are a few interactive sponsor booths that caught our eye, including a display of John Derian fashion plates that feature fashion sketches from previous CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund designers such as Doo.Ri, Phillip Lim, Marchesa, and Isable and Ruben Toledo. Each plate set is a one-of-kind, designed specifically for this event (you won’t find them anywhere else) and are up for auction. Starting bids were $350, but most had already reached about $600 when we last checked (around noon). If anyone wants to buy them for me, I would love to have the Doo.Ri set. More to come. And I promise I’ll get some photos up as soon as I can figure out how to.