Mucho Sexy
South Coast Plaza’s latest European import brings Spanish flair to O.C.
Cavalli, Vuitton, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana – when it comes to European fashion, Orange County women have no shortage of options. The good news? This summer, the field of choice just expanded with the upcoming launch of the Spanish super label, Zara.
Where London has Miss Selfridges and New York the Swedish fashion powerhouse of H&M, Southern California can now lay claim to its own style haven known for high fashion designs without the associated price tag.
The South Coast Plaza store opening – slated for early June – is a first for the West Coast. (Those in L.A. will have to wait until the September Santa Monica store opening.) Known for its multi-storey European stores (with lines at the cash register to make your 8am Starbucks call seem like a stroll in the park), Zara is first choice among in-the-know fashionistas.
Yet despite the friendly pricing and commitment to trends, this is no Abercrombie and Fitch. Zara retains an exclusive feel courtesy of the label’s cutting-edge, couture-inspired designs. Need proof? A larger-than-life Kate Moss modelling the company’s sought-after fashions adorns the French flagship store on the Champs Elysées. Inside, chic Parisians stand elbow-to-elbow, battling to lay their hands on the latest must-have item: even in one of the world’s fashion capitals, a Zara shopping bag is the ultimate fashion accessory.
“We are an international fashion retailer,” explains managing director of Zara U.S.A., Moises Costes, of the company’s success. “Our collection is more dressy, more classy than casual, more avant-garde.”
This summer’s look reveals the fresh and feminine designs that dominated the catwalks at this year’s French fashion shows: think gauzy, romantic fabrics, in pink and beige with gold detailing, Jackie O-inspired designs with floral decorations, or chic Parisian tweed suits, pleated gauze skirts and dinner jackets with waist-coat shirts in black and white.
And don’t expect to become bored by what’s on offer: the exclusive South Coast Plaza location will receive two injections of new stock per week – which also translates in to twice-weekly sales. Dust off the platinum.
The store, positioned between Express and Banana Republic, also stocks a line for men featuring slim-fit white suits, sleek tailored shapes and classy leather accents from the collection’s shoe and accessory range.
New York-based architect Kenneth Park will design the shop space, with furnishings and marble flooring sent from Europe. And while a continental feel will most definitely be in evidence, Costa says both store design and fashions are adapted for the markets in which they are positioned. For O.C., this means mixing up European sophistication with a healthy dose of Californian cool.