ESCONDIDO: Escondido's first Fashion Week coming in May

By: SHAYNA CHABNER - Staff Writer
Local 'Project Runway' contestant to be among exhibitors | Tuesday, March 25, 2008 12:29 AM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO -- After years of hosting hot rods and muscle cars on Grand Avenue, downtown Escondido merchants are getting ready for models on the catwalk during the city's first Fashion Week.

The event, which will run May 5 to 10, aims to draw a new crop of people into the city by showcasing Escondido's art, fashion and local designers, said Debra Rosen, chief executive of the Downtown Business Association.

"The economy is bad right now, and we need to do something strategically smart to bring people into the downtown," said Rosen. "We don't know of any other downtown in San Diego County that has done something like this."

The event will include clothing and home decor runway shows, a spa day and receptions inside the empty H. Johnston Furniture building and other downtown businesses and museums.

Some local designers will also be putting on special boutique runway shows. They include lingerie designer Ricky Lizalde, a former "Project Runway" contender, as well as bridal and evening wear designer Susanti and women's sportswear designer Miriam Splane.

Lizalde is a former Escondido resident who now lives in New York. Susanti has run an Escondido bridal store in downtown by the same name for the last decade. Splane, who recently launched the Miriam J women's line, is from Valley Center.

"People don't know about all the fashion and design we have down here," Rosen said.

The weeklong event, which has been in the works for the past six months, is being put together by the association and more than 70 volunteers. It will be run with Restaurant Week, which runs May 4 to 16.

Rosen, who said she got the inspiration for the event from a similar show held in Palm Desert each year, said that the city's Fashion Week has already started to create a lot of buzz. Word has spread into Los Angeles and the region's high-fashion community, she said.

The downtown business association has landed roughly two dozen sponsors and has fielded calls from organizations such as the International Fashion Group, Women's Wear Daily and national media companies that are looking to get involved, she said.

Some of the main events generating curiosity are a fashion show featuring "environmentally kind" clothes from recycled materials, and a show by downtown's Savannah Home Group that melds interior decorating and the runway by having models don furniture fabrics to match home displays.

"It's drawing a lot of attention, not only because it's fashion, but because it's unexpected of Escondido," said Jolyne Sevilla, an interior designer with Escondido's Unique Dimensions.

Sevilla and two of her colleagues will be transforming the inside of H. Johnston Furniture for the event. The building, Sevilla said, will be reminiscent of New York's Fashion Week, with fabrics, a runway and other decor.

Several downtown business owners who work in fashion and design said Monday that Fashion Week is a welcome addition to the association's other activities and events.

"I think that it's huge for everyone to come together and show that we are a destination and we can compete with San Diego and other stores," said Michele Coseo, the co-owner of Savannah Design Group, an interior design company at 130 E. Grand Ave. "We have been waiting for this opportunity for years."

For details or to buy tickets, visit www.fashionweekdowntown.com.

-- Contact staff writer Shayna Chabner at (760) 740-5416 or schabner@nctimes.com.

Fashion Week

Monday, May 5 -- 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Fashion Week & Restaurant Week launch party: Enjoy wine tasting from Escondido's Orfila Vineyards and Winery and appetizers from downtown restaurants while watching a preview of the week's fashion events. Live music. Tickets $20.

Tuesday, May 6 -- noon to 2 p.m.

Give-back-to-fashion charity event: An exclusive runway show featuring the latest lingerie collection by Escondido native Ricky Lizalde, who is a former "Project Runway" contender. Proceeds from the event, which includes tea, benefit North County Serenity House, a substance abuse recovery center for women. Tickets $25, or $15 with professional career wear donation.

Wednesday, May 7 -- 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Spa day: A free evening of spa visits, pampering and champagne as downtown's day spas showcase their individual services.

Thursday, May 8 -- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Home and art fashion trends: The latest home decor and art trends will be featured in an active, live fashion show where models wear the same fabrics used in the furniture. Tickets $20.

Friday, May 9 -- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fashion Show featuring recycled materials: Multimedia artists will present clothing created with recycled and other environmentally friendly material. Also features local salons, art galleries and fashion artists. Appetizers and desserts will be prepared by downtown restaurants. Tickets $20.

Saturday, May 10 -- 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Grand Finale: A runway show presented by designers Ricky Lizalde, Susanti and Miriam Splane. Appetizers, champagne and wine will be served. Tickets $45.

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