Welcome to the inaugural issue of Fashion Island's seasonal E-Newsletter! Think of it as your BFF and insider's guide to what's going on at Southern California's premier coastal shopping and dining destination. This chic treat for your inbox is also your own personal stylist, ready to give you the inside track to the season's hottest trends and newest must-haves available at our exclusive department stores and boutiques.

That said, read on and enjoy. And keep an eye out for the next issue coming to you just in time for the holidays.

Be well, be fabulous and be fashionably informed.

XOXO,
Fashion Island

Our friends on the east coast have taken their sweaters and coats out of hiding while we in So Cal are still in shorts, enjoying a few more warm sunny days. So although it doesn't feel so official to us, the store windows at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's have chimed a gentle reminder: fall has arrived. Fall is the New Year of fashion. It's the time of year when we stash the faux pas of spring in the back of our closets and ask ourselves, “Why did I ever think that I could wear a jumpsuit?” So, a new fashion year calls for new resolutions. Here's a glimpse of what the fashion world has resolved for fall 2009.

RED Red is the color for fall. Maybe it's because everything's coming up roses? Or perhaps we have pop-culture's hot vampires to blame? Or maybe, it's just that love is in the air... And as mom and Oprah taught us, love thyself. Wise words. Now listen to your mother and show your love by getting something red.

ROCK 'N ROLL For some of us, rock 'n roll pulses through our veins so we've not stopped believing and have continued to hold on to that feeling. Good news – everything from motorcycle jackets to glittering mini-party dresses and from spiky bangles to metal hardware (i.e. looking like you've just partied in a White Snake video) is what's in this fall. Don't be a small town girl, living in a lonely world. It's time to channel your inner rock star.

WAIST & SHOULDERS The silhouettes of the 40's and 80's were all over the fall runways. Dresses and jackets had strong shoulders and were nipped at the waist in ways that would make Alexis Carrington jealous. Amazing blazers for women looked like they'd been stolen from their boyfriend's closet, but on second glance were feminine enough that you'd hope they weren't. Belts, in an array of colors, textures and widths, were added to many ensembles creating slenderizing looks. So remember, when you're running out the door, grab your jacket and a belt and just cinch it!

Zac Posen

At 21 years of age, American designer Zac Posen emerged as fashion's newest star in 2002 when his alluring feminine dresses made their New York City runway debut. He was hailed as the design world's latest prodigy, and possibly even the savior who might rescue American fashion from the styles-and-sales slump it had experienced over the past decade. Over the last few years, this winner of the CFDA Swarovski Perry Ellis Award for Womenswear has built quite a fan following with his critically acclaimed collections that are a New York Fashion Week favorite. Natalie Portman, Rihanna, Kate Winslet, Claire Danes, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Naomi Campbell are just a few who have turned to Posen when walking the red carpet.

For Fall 2009, Posen showed a collection that was for the 1940's Victorian romantic - voluminous shoulders, body-hugging silhouettes, ruffled collars, dresses in a mix of floral prints and earth tones and gowns in liquid metallic. It was chic and fabulous, just like you.

On Wednesday, October 21st, Mr. Posen will send Orange County's fashion diehards to heaven when he visits Fashion Island for an exclusive Spring 2010 trunk show hosted by Neiman Marcus. For more information please call (949) 759-1900.

10/15 Passport to Luxury - Join Fashion Island and Riviera Magazine for a night of chic shopping unlike any other. Participating stores and restaurants will help you get into the shopping spirit with specially created in-store events, trunk shows, offers, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and more, all in celebration of a good cause. A portion of the evening's sales will be donated by Fashion Island to the Dream Guild benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. If that is not enough reason to shop, there are additional chances to win great prizes that include gifts from participating retailers, a vacation package and a $1,000 shopping spree at Fashion Island. Start your evening by picking-up a passport at Mariposa, Neiman Marcus, Third Level and then embark on your shopping-vacay from 5:30-9pm. For more information please visit: ShopFashionIsland.com or RSVP at (714) 913-4697.

10/21 Meet Zac Posen at Neiman Marcus - CFDA award winner for women's wear and celebrity design darling, Zac Posen, shines his star on Fashion Island with a visit to Neiman Marcus. For more information please call (949) 759-1900.

10/22 Meet the man behind Robert Graham at Garys - Robert Stock, designer and founder of Robert Graham, the brand famous for its whimsical and impeccably tailored men's shirts, will make a personal appearance at Garys. The event will include informal modeling, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a DJ. For more information please call (949) 759-1622.

10/29 Meet the Michael Stars Creator at Bloomingdale's - Michael Stars founder, Michael Cohen, will be at Bloomingdale's from 1-3pm to show his latest fall collection. Take home a special scarf with your purchase of any two regular-priced Michael Stars items (One per customer. While supplies last.) For more information, or to reserve your spot please call (949) 729-6816.

Click Here for a complete list of Fall's events at Fashion Island.

STORE OPENINGS
Fashion Island knows that you're stylish, savvy, and always on the hunt for that perfect outfit or gift. We're right there with you. So to make sure you have what you need and what you want, Fashion Island welcomes five new stores this fall. All of them are Orange County exclusives, just the way you like it.

Now Open
Ever With the reputation for being the most comfortable luxury travel collection for men and women, Ever stays true to classic bodies while elevating the construction and finishing process. The result is a casual and timeless collection. No sloppy jet setters allowed. (949) 719-2783

Michael Stars Just in time for fall, you too can get the “casual couture” loved by Hollywood's leading ladies from the original pioneer, Michael Stars. Located between Macy's and the Iris fountain, the new Fashion Island store will offer Michael Stars  collection of signature tees in a wide variety of fabrics and styles in more than 30 colors each season. Also available is the newly launched accessories line. On October 23rd, from 6-9pm, come by and celebrate the Michael Stars store grand opening with refreshments, live DJ, ELLE magazine and more. Shine on, starlets. (949) 999-0750

Room Service Bringing Hollywood to Newport Beach is Room Service. This full service furniture store offers clean, modern home furnishings and accessories for stylish, trend-setting individuals, like yourself and the store's celebrity clientele. And if you need help, in-house design consultants can bring your interior design dreams to life. Located in Atrium Court. (949) 759-1606

True Religion Brand Jeans A trendsetter and global leader in premium denim, True Religion is also known for its men's and women's knit and woven sportswear that have a great, vintage feel. The store is located between Macy's and the Iris fountain. So stop by and try on a pair of their famous jeans available in an array of styles and washes, because Buddha said so. (949) 760-0209

Coming Soon
7 For All Mankind The world's premier luxury denim-lifestyle brand will debut its renowned denim and chic clothing line for men and women in a new sanctuary near the Iris fountain. It will open in November, just in time to help you complete a new paparazzi-ready look for the holidays.

CENTER REINVESTMENT Update
As you may have heard, Fashion Island is currently undergoing a one hundred million dollar reinvestment that includes new water features, intimate seating areas and plush landscaping. As the times change, so do the tastes of our savvy guests and we know that these dramatic upgrades will add yet another layer of sophistication and elegance to this world class shopping and dining destination.  Click Here to be "Fashionably Informed".

In & Haute Burger We all know that Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar is Newport's haven for grade A meat. And that's not just the happy hour scene... Monday-Sunday, 5-7pm. But now, in addition to the fine cuts of meat, Fleming's has introduced an all-new, all-burger bar menu featuring five “Prime Burgers” – Sliced Filet Mignon Burger; Ahi Tuna Burger; Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Burger; Portobello Mushroom Burger; and the signature Fleming's Prime Burger. Each burger is served with a mini Wedge Salad and two Fleming's signature Onion Rings. For more information or reservations please call (949) 720-9633.