By Crystal Harrell
Style, artistry, and a spirit of creative optimism took center stage on March 14 as designer Charles Harbison brought his bold vision to the runway during Fashion Week El Paseo.
Held under the signature tent at The Gardens on El Paseo, the show drew a packed audience of fashion enthusiasts, industry insiders, and local trendsetters eager to see Harbison’s latest collection come to life on the desert runway. The evening began with a cocktail reception before guests took their seats for the highly anticipated 8 p.m. fashion show.
Fashion Week El Paseo, which ran March 13–18, is widely considered the largest consumer fashion week on the West Coast, bringing nationally recognized designers to Palm Desert for a week of runway presentations, pop-up boutiques, and designer meet-and-greets.
Harbison, founder of Harbison Studio, is known for blending architectural structure with expressive color and global textile influences. His work has been worn by celebrities including Mindy Kaling, Simone Biles, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and has appeared on major cultural stages from the Met Gala to the Super Bowl.
His Palm Desert runway presentation showcased Collection 009: “Light After Botticelli–McKinney,” a body of work inspired by themes of transition, reflection, and renewal.
The show opened with a short video introduction in which Harbison reflected on the influence of his upbringing in North Carolina and the importance of craft and storytelling in fashion. He described his approach as creating garments that are both joyful and enduring with pieces that carry meaning as well as style.
On the runway, Harbison’s designs featured sculptural shapes, bold colors, and architectural silhouettes that emphasized both movement and structure. The collection balanced playful expression with refined craftsmanship.
Many of the pieces demonstrated Harbison’s signature approach to modern American fashion—structured garments that feel both artistic and wearable. Voluminous capes, dramatic sleeves, and clean tailoring created a dynamic visual rhythm as models moved down the runway.
Each runway night during Fashion Week El Paseo supports charitable causes. The Harbison show benefited Mama’s House, a Coachella Valley nonprofit that supports young mothers and their children.
Fashion Week El Paseo has become a signature annual event for the Coachella Valley, attracting designers and audiences from around the country. Harbison’s show stood out as one of the weekend’s highlights, blending high-fashion craftsmanship with the creative spirit of the desert.
Following the runway presentation, guests continued the celebration at an after-party at Wildest Restaurant + Bar on El Paseo, capturing the essence of Fashion Week El Paseo as a glamorous yet accessible celebration of design that transforms Palm Desert into a hub of international fashion.
