Celebrations of fashion, food and wine
High style for people — and even their pooches — and the finest in food and wine will all be showcased when Fashion Week El Paseo and the Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert coincide later this month.
The seventh annual Fashion Week, March 16 to 24, will feature a schedule of runway shows and trunk shows of cutting-edge garb and accessories, parties, receptions, in-store events, salon treatments and appearances by both celebrity and emerging designers.
The third annual Food & Wine Festival, March 23 to 25, will present exemplary cuisine from more than 50 fine restaurants, over 80 premium wines from throughout the world, cooking demonstrations, seminars, book signings and visits by celebrity chefs.
Both are produced by Palm Springs Life, with most activities taking place in the Big White Tent on Larkspur Lane between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain Drive in Palm Desert, at the center of the city’s most elegant shopping district.
According to Palm Springs Life’s Michael Mathews, who is overseeing both events, their popularity has ballooned since last year. Advance ticket sales for Fashion Week have tripled since 2011, and seating in the Big White Tent has been expanded from 650 to 900 to accommodate more visitors to the Food & Wine Festival.
Proceeds from tickets sales for both events will help support about a dozen charities.
Fashion Week from top to toe
Fashion Week will not only provide visitors the opportunity to experience the latest in design inspirations, but to pamper themselves with beauty rituals and store specials from local salons and boutiques.
A brief overview of Fashion Week activities is presented here. Ticket prices range from $50 to $100. For further details, including a list of participating El Paseo shops and salons, visit www.fashionweekelpaseo.com online.
Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 — “Le Chien: A Celebration of Dogs & Fashion.” Friday: cocktail reception at a private residence, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday: Doggie Beauty Bash, 9:30 a.m.; Kibbles & Champagne, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Canine Fashion Show, 1 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 — “Bachelor Auction,” 6:30 p.m. A dozen single men will be available for dinner dates to the highest bidders.
Sunday, March 18— “Style & Beauty Bash,” 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. More than 25 salons will provide hair styling and makeup consultations to glamorize Fashion Week visitors.
Sunday, March 18 — “Saks Fifth Avenue Spring 2012 Collection,” reception, 7 p.m.; runway show, 8 p.m. Saks Fifth Avenue will present a runway show of couture from top designers’ newest collections.
Monday, March 19— “El Paseo Runway,” reception, 6:30 p.m.; runway show, 8 p.m. Sophisticated style from more than 15 stores in the El Paseo district will be presented.
Tuesday, March 20 — “Featured Designer Lloyd Klein,” reception, 7 p.m.; show, 8 p.m. The Los Angeles-based Parisian designer will debut his “LKLA” and “LKBH” collections of contemporary sportswear and present his evening couture.
Wednesday, March 21 — “Lloyd Klein Trunk Show,” 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21 — “The Stars of ‘Project Runway,’” reception, 7 p.m.; show, 8 p.m. Eight “Project Runway” winners and all-stars, some of whom appear in the current season of the TV show “Project Runway All Stars,” will be featured in this program.
Thursday, March 22 — “The Stars of ‘Project Runway’ Trunk Show,” 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 22 — “FIDM Debut 2012,” reception, 7 p.m.; runway show, 8 p.m. The next generation of emerging designers from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles is featured in this program.
Friday, March 23 — “Featured Designer Anthony Franco,” reception, 6 p.m.; show, 8 p.m. The designer, who has dressed Angelina Joie and Cameron Diaz, will present his new men’s and women’s collections for Spring 2012.
Saturday, March 24 — “Mark Zunino, Designer of the Week,” reception, 7 p.m.; show, 8 p.m. Fashion Week El Paseo concludes with a runway show featuring couturier Mark Zunino’s collection of evening wear evoking timeless Hollywood glamour.
Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Life
Indulging at Food & Wine Fest
Food & Wine Festival visitors will treat their taste buds in three events that present an elegant array of culinary choices and fine vintages.
Notable chefs from popular television programs, including Chris Crary, Jill Davie, Adam Gertler, Daniel Joly, Sara Moulton, Mark Peel, Alejandra Schrader and Roy Yamaguchi, will make special appearances throughout the festival.
An overview of the Food & Wine Festival schedule follows. Tickets range from $65 to $100. For further details, including participating restaurants and wineries, visit www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com online.
Friday, March 23 — “Luncheon with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs,” 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A four-course gourmet lunch is matched with wines and hosted by several celebrity chefs.
Saturday, March 24 — “Day 1: Glamorous Culinary Celebration under the Big White Tent,” 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food and wine tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations, wine seminars and book signings are all featured in this program.
Sunday, March 25 — “Day 2: Glamorous Culinary Celebration under the Big White Tent,” noon to 5 p.m. The culinary celebration continues with more food and wine tastings, chef demonstrations, wine seminars and book signings.