Week one of Style Week OC included a beautiful runway show from Neiman Marcus, a kids’ fashion show, a retailers’ showcase topped off with a design competition for students from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), and a pre-show party co-hosted by Orange Coast Magazine on Saturday.

Refreshed by cool breezes as the sun set, guests sipped wine supplied by Celebrity Cruises and margaritas and tequila tastings by Partida, enjoyed bites from Red O, Flemings and Sushi Roku on the lawn outside Bloomingdale’s before the fall fashion runway show.

The show kicked off with a design contest featuring student designs evoking locales and experiences found on a Celebrity Cruise ship. Designers Ali Jawad, Francesca Lake, Lilit Markosyan and Peivand Mirzaie met with judges including television celebrity Nick Verreos, Sung Cho-Rothe, Store Manager, Nordstrom Fashion Island, Marilys Ward, Team Manager for Celebrity Cruises and Orange Coast magazine Style Editor Julie Gallego (me!) to describe the inspiration and methods of construction behind their outfits. Then the student designs walked the runway before a packed crowd.

Winner Francesa Lake won $2,000 for her off-white body suit—constructed from a 3-D printed fabric that reflected light—paired with a slim silk pant and a flowing, detachable overskirt.

After the competition, models strutted the catwalk wearing clothing from Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, bebe, Elie Tahari, Garys and Halston Heritage.

Style Week OC continues this week and culminates with another student and retailer fashion show at Irvine Spectrum Center on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.