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Orange County Fashion Week Presented by Celebrity Cruises

Sentinel News | May 13, 2019 | 0 Comments

by Stylishly Aubree Lynn, writer/stylist/producer

This year I had the honor of being invited to Orange County Fashion Week (OCFW) by model and Mrs. Greater California sweetheart Anamarie Dean. I had met Mrs. Dean while styling for a runway show. Our second encounter was due to the fact that I was styling for an editorial and she was the model, which lead to this recent invite.

Having only a few days to find and pull an outfit together. I had to think quickly of what I wanted to wear and if I had anything in my wardrobe. I didn’t; at least not anything that I would want to strut at OCFW. So, I pulled out my style guide and started reviewing my fashion designer contacts.

Recently, I had been in contact with Bryan Vaughn from Vaughnberry, winning designer of Fashion Week San Diego 2018. His stylish and impeccable clothing wowed the audience. So, I thought, “Why not ask him if he would lend me one of his ensembles for this event.” Happily, he agreed to lend me an outfit to wear to OCFW.

Thank God his sample designs are sizes six to eight. In his words, “A girls got to eat.”

I love his message and encouragement of women being healthy!

At first I thought of his most recent collection. However, after recalling his first eye-catching attire from the 2017 fashion show, I knew I had to get into that cape-suit outfit he designed.

This design included a cape jacket with pockets lined with a silk tree print from the bottom up that could be seen from a mile away. This was complimented with high waist pants, which also have pockets. And to “top it off,” my head was adorned with a top hat.

I threw on my gray vintage pumps and it pretty much equaled magic. This was it! My husband had something in his wardrobe that matched me perfectly. We were on our way to OCFW.

Upon arriving, a valet parked our vehicle at AV Irvine, known as Orange County’s hottest destination for events, which followed with us taking a walk down the red carpet. Upon our arrival, we could see that this event was already packed with an eager audience. We provided our show passes and were escorted to our seats. Everything appeared to run very professionally, and we were treated as dignitaries.

We decided to get our photos taken and got to meet Cloelle of HaySalty. She was wearing a beautiful and flowing gown. Her entire ensemble had a dreamy feeling. She proceeded to interview me, so I was able to talk about Bryan Vaughn of Vaughnberry, his successes and also showcase his creation.

The cruise wear theme for the designers is based on Celebrity Cruises’ new luxury Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Flora ships and is titled “Celebrity Cruises Luxury Collection,” using a design inspiration video to help create a very cohesive collaboration.

To emphasize the cruise theme, the X runways were precisely situated throughout the venue. As a producer of runway shows, I was impressed by the precision and the strategic placement of staging areas so that the models posed at the center points of the X runway. (Good job team!)

There were six designers and some with up to 23 different styles. They all put forward their very best to present well made designs with impeccable details, bright colors and amazing beading.

A few designers definitely got my attention, including Vanessa Lozada, designer of beautiful gowns with amazing details of butterflies, birds, and these leaf studded belts. As models walked down the runway I thought to myself, “Yes, I will take one of those for my wardrobe; thank you very much!” So much skill and talent this designer possesses.

Another designer that has amazing talent is Egypt Ufele of Chubii Line. She is just a baby (junior designer) in terms of age and experience. However, she has a very mature knowledge of the female body and design aesthetics.

And, to finish off her mature nature, she is also an anti-bullying activist, which I love. Her line includes an array of beautiful fabrics: lace, fur, and chiffon. Then she adds stylish hats as well as a men’s look. Egypt’s line went from bright colors to dark tones pretty quickly. Personally, I associated it with the bully undertones as a person can go from a happy soul to a dark one with the words and actions of others in our lives. It was a beautiful presentation.

The last designer I would like to mention is Ugochi Iwuaba. When her final design walked down the runway, I knew she would be a tough contender. Her colors are bright, bold, with impeccable lines. Whether they were flowing or tapered to the body, they were on-point. So many styles I would wear in everyday life and want in my wardrobe when I am feeling myself, and also want to make a fun, flirty impression.

The end was near and Pol’atteu and Patrik Simpson from Gown and Out in Beverly Hills announced the winner of Celebrity Cruises night and the drum roll. It was none other than my personal favorite, Ugochi Iwuaba.

This was such a cool and memorable evening at a different venue on another side of town.

Thank you to Anamarie for the invite, Vaughnberry for the wardrobe, Cloelle for your sweetness and work on providing the photo from the event, OCFW and Celebrity Cruises for putting on such a beautiful evening and event. I am eager to attend again next year.