Kira Schubert, runway model discovered in Orange County. Photographed by George Arguelles. Brought to you by luxury realtor Lindsay Clark Shields of Engles Voelkers.
Luxury lifestyle in Orange County
There’s a reason why luxury purveyors move to Orange County. Perhaps it’s the temperate year-round weather acting as a backdrop to the irresistible seascape charm? The European vibe amidst a dramatic landscape reminiscent of the Monaco to Villefranch-Sur-Mer coast that also happens to be five times the size of the French Riviera? Or maybe it’s the well-traveled jetsetter who travels the world to work but comes home to live in the style and comforts of their own perfect Louboutins in the OC? You know, a sidewalk cafe sunny day in Fashion Island or styled up with YSL at The Ritz-adjacent Moulin Cafe in Monarch Beach.
There is one thing the world cannot deny and that is the lifestyle of the Orange County Purveyors. You know the ones that celebrate lavish régimes of fine living, travel along with the seaside comforts of an epic 5-star view, and luxury brand shopping at the helm of their neighborhood just a block away? They know far too much about everything and in truth how could they live anywhere else?
Making its mark on the world in fashion
It is one of the things Orange County does best. The most coveted purveyors in the world understand that the region’s luxury shoppers border on athletic in terms of the force and stamina they infuse into their quest for procuring the perfect wardrobe. Orange County is also the world’s best kept secret from those who aren’t as fashion savvy and simply chase the biggest cities with the loudest brands. Meanwhile it’s far enough away from the nightlife bustle of LA and the Hollywood paparazzi gossip column sect to allow for celebrities and fashionistas alike to shop in uninterrupted splendor.
It’s no wonder that so many of the world’s most active fashion buyers opt to hide in plain sight within OC’s understated luxurious suburbia life. And rightly so. They deserve a little Top of the World peace of mind. Let’s face it, entrepreneurilizing is hard work. Based on actual billions of dollars spent, Orange County not only boasts a powerful retail economy but continues its reign in fashion relevancy. As evidenced in our current world of transparency, it is the economic fashion capital of the U.S. driven by actual out of pocket purchases as opposed to search engine optimization statistics without the aid of LA.
OC Fashion Week® 2023
Orange County is in full swing this season with its return of OC Fashion Week®. There is a major up-swing of turnout in its many years of runway ranging from emerging designer talent, enthusiastic crowds, and some genuinely exquisite emerging runway models. Orange County has become the hotbed for discovering new faces on runway and this became apparent with the sponsorship of one of the leading luxury sports clubs in the world.
“We knew that there was something different about partnering with OC Fashion Week® this season. That becoming a sponsor at this runway show was a timing of not only community but also in great strides for our brand,” says Membership Director Dino Glover of Equinox Irvine. “Our first season with OC Fashion Week® happened when we decided to be the model casting location for Orange County Fashion Week®. We felt that it was going to be a great partnership because of the collaboration aspect with luxury fitness and the health and wellness consciousness that OCFASHIONWEEK® seemed to perpetuate as an ongoing theme among its sponsors. But little did we know the turn out was going to be like a viral earthquake. Our headquarters were calling us surprised at the virality of the project and what that meant for our brand.”
Luxury sports club Equinox
In March 2023, the globally known luxury sports club Equinox who’s known for its slogan “Equinox isn’t just a fitness club, it’s a temple of well-being. Discover an unparalleled member experience where innovative programming, rejuvenating amenities and renowned instruction come together to create extraordinary results,” partnered for the first-time with the luxury market of California’s leading fashion retail economy OC Fashion Week® on its growing model casting program to host 4 weeks of discovering new faces and the turn out was beyond mighty.
Over a half a million media impressions in its first-Instagram post quickly turned into a viral guise of new faces. “We knew we were onto something when we hadn’t even had a chance to notify our model database about the casting process because the turn out to be discovered at Equinox was so great. We realized it was a turning point of us recognizing the fact that we didn’t just produce an event, we had in fact become a major brand,” says producer and owner of OC Fashion Week® Kathryn Marino.
Kira Schubert
“Runway models have remained synonymous with the fashion industry even as the social media scape has changed the face of publications. Becoming a runway model in Orange County now means so much more. I think when you have opportunities to influence an audience or even support an emerging designer, it carries a message to not only the media’s reach but also on our own Instagram feed,” says model newcomer Kira Schubert.
Engel & Völkers Realtor
Orange County homes values have also seen an influx of homes being purchased in the retail economy influenced bolstered by the local leading fashion destinations and seaside coastline culture. Beaming from the perfect beachfront location on 5709 Seashore Drive with endless views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina and the coastline for the Harper’s Bazaar cover photoshoot seemed quintessential to represent the luxury market of California on the sands of an incredible ocean view in Newport Beach is the understated style of quiet luxury that Engel & Völkers Realtor Lindsay Clark Shields knows far too well. “We represent some of the most discerning buyers and sellers in the luxury market” and delivers ‘White-glove’ customer service goes above and beyond today’s norms.”
OC Hair Academy
Leading Hair Extension sponsor OC Hair Academy owner Sean Hatahit says, “My clients’ satisfaction is always my top priority and in this luxury market quality is everything so when I got on board with OC Fashion Week® runways I knew that we could match their expectation of being the ‘best’ since being the best version of yourself through our service is what we do best in the OC.”
Vietnamese influencer communities in Orange County
For Vietnamese influencer, Joann Doan, Orange County is truly a Mecca of fashion aficionados the proximity to retail luxury is a major cultural hub here. The strong Vietnamese influencer communities have an affinity for luxury which has given influence to the rise of their own fashion designs given the high concentration of the Vietnamese in the market.
“Don’t sleep on the OC! Orange County is truly a melting pot of fashion, inspired by different cultures and backgrounds. We take pride in the strong Vietnamese influencer communities that have grown from fashion, to designers, actors and entrepreneurs. You’ve heard of slay-sian in New York. Well honey, we have them here too ” says Joann Doan.
Talent: Kira Schubert @kirasxhubert, Runway Model discovered in Orange County.
Photographer: George Arguelles @fashionphotosd.
Costume: @WalterCollection.
Hair: OC Hair Room Academy @ochairroom @ochairacademy and OC Hair by Sean Hatahit @seanhatahit.
Makeup: Huda @hair_makeup_by_hadi.
Venue: Beach Front at 5709 Seashore Dr. by luxury realtor Lindsay Clark Shields of Engles Voelkers @lindsayclarkshields @evlagunabeach.
Project manager: Kasey Norian and Kathryn Marino, producer OC Fashion Week®
OC Fashion Week® the luxury market of California
returns this Sept 28th through October 2nd, 2023.
Presenting Sponsor Equinox hosts for the first-time Opening Day
with a runway show held at one of their leading Orange County facilities,
located on 1980 Main Street in Irvine, for its first SS24 Show
for swimwear, athleisure wear and resort collections.
Production @OCFASHIONWEEK.
BehindtheSeams.
Artist: @kristinagraceart.
Producer: @hauteoc.
Project managers: @kazeysb and @akemi_schubert.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
