Oscar de la Renta, Isabel Marant, Monique Lhuillier, and Lanvin are among the ten leading international luxury fashion brands showcased on September 15 when The Country Friends and South Coast Plaza present the 2022 Art of Fashion. The runway show also includes the latest looks from the fall-winter collections of Bally, Lafayette 148 New York, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue. Camilla will provide informal modeling during the Champagne reception preceding the show at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The event marks the 18th year of The Country Friends’ partnership with South Coast Plaza, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary.
Event chairs are Keilene Hayward, Melissa Wilkins and Sandy Nolan, with award-winning ABC 10News Anchor Kimberly Hunt serving as emcee. The event honors The Country Friends volunteers for their long commitment to the 68-year-old nonprofit which raises funds to benefit San Diego County charities through its Consignment Shop in Rancho Santa Fe and events.
“We are so grateful to South Coast Plaza for our partnership,” Suzanne Newman, President of The Country Friends shared with GB Magazine. “This annual fall fête is the premier fashion event in San Diego County, raising crucial funds for many nonprofits.” The Country Friends Board of Directors selects charities each fall after careful review and site visits. Since it was founded in 1954, The Country Friends has donated nearly $14 million to those in need with special emphasis on women, children, the elderly, the military and the disabled.
The Art of Fashion begins with a Champagne reception sponsored by Linda Sansone & Associates featuring light bites from The French Gourmet and the always-popular photo lounge. The centerpiece of the event is a professionally produced runway show that highlights the latest collections from South Coast Plaza’s premier international luxury fashion brands. After the show, guests gather on The Inn’s Croquet Lawn for a festive luncheon, live auction and opportunity drawing. The Art of Fashion concludes with “Sip, Shop, and Support,” the opportunity to continue shopping at mini boutiques including Buccellati, Camilla, Jo Malone London, Lanvin, Max Mara, Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta, and Vitra Eyewear.
For more information, or to become an Art of Fashion sponsor, please contact The Country Friends at (858) 756-1192, extension 4 or www.thecountryfriends.org.