By Judith Salkin
If you look at El Paseo in Palm Desert today, it’s not the same quiet, dignified street it once was, bounded on the West by St. John and on the East by Escada, with a scattering of fine dress, men’s wear, shoe and specialty shops and restaurants scattered in-between.
El Paseo is now anchored by the Gardens on El Paseo and El Paseo Village in the center of the street, and it is definitely the fashion heart of the Coachella Valley.
Over the years, Fashion Week El Paseo has grown from a long weekend of in-store events and just a couple of fashion shows to what it is now, a full week that is jam-packed with some of the finest in fashion from the U.S. and which ends with the Designer of the Week.
Most of the stores, galleries and restaurants along the mile and a half long strip participate in some way in Fashion Week, whether it’s the runway shows in the Big White Tent or trunk shows and sales or shaving demonstrations at The Art of Shaving (who knew you could have a store dedicated to a good shave!).
Several local charities are beneficiaries of Fashion Week events, like Fashion Group International, The Living Desert, Desert Outreach Foundation, The Girlfriend Factor and Junior League of Palm Springs Desert Communities.
The entire schedule of events is available at fashionweekelpaseo.com website, but here are a few picks you shouldn’t miss.
Sunday, March 16
Style & Beauty Bash – 9am – 3pm
9am Free yoga class by lululemon. 11:30am Fashion Show. $30 donation; benefits local charities.
A day of pampering in the Toscana Country Club Runway Tent, with local salons, spas, and cosmetics companies and a yoga class in the Rancho Las Palmas Garden. There’s also the Extreme Hair & Makeup Showcase, beauty professionals showcasing their most creative looks.
Services Include: Hair, makeup, brow shaping, polish change, spray tanning, massages & more!
Cost: General admission is free. All beauty services are $30.
Fashion Frenzy – 9:30am-2:30pm
It’s Fashion Week El Paseo’s first Fashion Frenzy. Shop for clothing and accessories from 15 fine designers and retailers in unique pop-up shops in a space adjacent the Runway Tent, while the designers entertain with a runway show featuring their own designs.
Le Chien- A Celebration of Dogs & Fashion. 5pm – 6pm Silent Auction & Cocktail Reception. 6:30pm Fashion Show
Benefits Humane Society of the Desert
One of the most fun events of Fashion Week. Cocktails, a silent auction, music, and entertainment get you ready for the “Famous Dogs of Hollywood” fashion show featuring donors and their four-legged. A live auction ends the evening.
Monday, March 17
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Fashion Show. 7pm Cocktail Reception. 8pm Fashion Show
Benefits Junior League Palm Springs Desert Communities and The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Nine FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising graduates present their couture collections.
Tuesday, March 18
El Paseo Runway Night presents Street Seen on El Paseo. 6:30pm Little Black Dress Cocktail Reception. 8pm Fashion Show
The Girl Friend Factor, which provides education grants to women, presents cocktail reception where you and your LBD (little black dress) are the star of the evening, followed by “Street Seen on El Paseo,” a runway show featuring 10 fine retailers showcasing looks for spring 2014.
Friday, March 21
The Best of Saks Fifth Avenue. 7pm Cocktail Reception. 8pm Fashion Show. 9pm After party at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
2014 men’s and women’s wear from Stella McCartney, Etro, Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Pucci, Ralph Lauren for women, and Etro and Dolce& Gabbana for men.
Saturday, March 22
Designer of the Week – Zang Toi. 7pm “White Night” Cocktail Reception. 8pm Fashion Show
Wear white to celebrate the grand finale event of the week. Designer of the Week, Zang Toi, of New York City, brings his timeless, uncompromising collection to the runway. Toi’s designs pamper women with elegance and glamour.
