Fashion & Style - Ranch & Coast

Sydney is wearing striped skinny pants, a black silk tank top, a cream wool and silk tie coat, and black leather snap boots; Whitney is wearing a grey wool two-pocket skirt, a light blue silk blouse, and brown leather peep-toe heels — all from Chloe at South Coast Plaza Fab Fall Autumn couture conjures a return of light wools, winter white in all forms, figure-flattering shapes, and utmost elegance. Here, we present an exclusive sneak preview of fall fashions from just a few of the South Coast Plaza (SCP) retailers showcasing collections at The Country Friends’ The Art of Fashion Runway Show on Thursday, September 20, at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Proceeds from this year’s 52nd annual event, which will feature a luncheon, shopping in SCP designer boutiques, and wine tasting in addition to the the runway show, will go to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito. (858/756-1192, ext. 4, www.thecountryfriends.org) — Mia Stefanko, photography by Vincent Knakal, hair and makeup by Paula Mayer, models from Jet Set Model Management Shot on location at El Milagro, a stunning 21,000-square-foot under roof Tuscan estate on nine gorgeous hilltop acres in the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant complete with a dining hall for 30 guests, a Louis XIV music salon with acoustically optimal pecan floors, an Edwardian library with private libation bar where wines are delivered via dumbwaiter from the 5,000-bottle wine room on the lower level, and much more. (858/756-4024, www.barryestates.com) Sydney is wearing a mesh and liquid satin evening gown and strappy stilettos, and Whitney is wearing a charcoal silk and wool cocktail dress and pewter patent stilettos — all from Donna Karan at South Coast Plaza Maggie Bobileff Mister B In La Jolla Swiss-born Mister B owner Maggie Bobileff is a lady who knows how to dress a man. Her Rancho Santa Fe shop has become the destination for well-heeled male customers seeking the most au courant European styles. Mister B — which recently opened a second shop, a 2,200-square-foot space on Girard in La Jolla — carries casually fashionable everyday looks from lines such as Hugo Boss and Giorgio Armani, as well as exquisitely crafted formalwear. The clothing and accessories are impeccably selected. Bobileff and her husband — that’d be Mister B — travel twice a year to Florence’s Pitti Uomo, an Italian fashion week for men. But it’s Bobileff herself who is the real draw. She makes shopping easy for men. "I’ve been in this business for over 20 years," she says. "Our goal is to teach the customer how to do casual dress. Jeans with a nice coat is always nice. So is a suit with no tie." (858/454-3310, www.misterbclothing.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens, photo by Vincent Knakal Neiman Marcus Pop Up Book Happy Birthday, Neiman Marcus The Grand Dame of style turns 100 this month, and a toast is in order. For a century Neiman Marcus has followed its maxim to provide fashion, quality, and unparalleled service, and has remained true to its initial vision of providing the best of everything in beautiful settings. On September 10, 1907, Herbert Marcus, Sr., his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman, and her husband, A.L. Neiman, opened the first Neiman Marcus store in a new two-story building in Dallas, Texas. At the time, most well-to-do women had their clothes made for them twice a year. The idea of shopping at will in a luxurious setting was a revolutionary idea. Luxury ready-to-wear fashions of New York and Paris could now be purchased in Dallas. The company moved to a 40,000-square-foot store in 1914. Today, that Dallas flagship store has nine stories, 279,000 square feet, and houses the corporate headquarters. In 1926, Herbert’s son, Stanley, joined the company, as did, eventually, his three brothers. Stanley remained at the helm until 1975, when he was named chairman emeritus. There will be a lot of activity in the stores this month. The 100th Anniversary Celebration Gala will be held in Dallas on October 12 to benefit the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. Locally, there is special anniversary merchandise, since many major designers have created exclusive items in honor of the centennial. In every category of fashion, patrons will find exquisite objects and garments designed by such major talents as Salvatore Ferragamo, John Hardy, Prada, Armani, Annick Goutal, Jay Strongwater, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Chanel, Escada, and many others. And let’s not forget the already-buzzed-about pop-up book, set to hit Neiman Marcus stores on September 10. Featuring the photography of Geof Kern and the paper engineering of Kees Moerbeek, the stunning book highlights major milestones in the store’s history, including its lavish holiday decorations and the butterfly, its symbol for the beauty of transformation. It will retail for $100, or $125 with a slipcover. Love art? Consider touring Neiman’s impressive art collection. Each store displays selections from the company’s 2,500-piece inventory, which features art from various cultures and media on each floor, with particular emphasis on contemporary works by both established and emerging artists. There are now 39 Neiman Marcus stores, 19 Last Call clearance centers, three Cusp stores, two Bergdorf Goodman venues, as well as the NeimanMarcus.com, Horchow.com, and BergdorfGoodman.com online retail ventures. This company has grown enormously, retaining the best from the past while constantly moving forward. But, one thing will never change, and that is the commitment to personal service and highest quality merchandise. Happy Birthday, Neiman Marcus. Let’s celebrate. — Darlene G. Davies
		Sydney is wearing black wool cuffed pants, a brown leather jacket with animal print mink accents, gold jeweled strappy stilettos, and a large leather tote — all from Roberto Cavalli at South Coast Plaza Whitney is wearing black wool trousers, a winter white silk blouse, ostrich and leather peep-toe heels, and a large printed logo bag — all from Fendi at South Coast Plaza

		Whitney is wearing a winter white wool pencil skirt with matching button-up bolero, a chocolate cashmere and silk sweater, chocolate suede and patent leather platform sandals, and a chocolate leather and calf hair bag; Sydney is wearing a black wool pencil skirt, burgundy goat hair sweater, black leather bag, black opaque tights, and black patent leather wing-tipped pumps — all from Fendi at South Coast Plaza.

		Whitney is wearing a black stretch wool skirt, cheetah print wool sweater with tie collar, and black tights — all from Valentino at South Coast Plaza Sydney is wearing an animal print drape dress with gold jewel detail, a copper leather clutch with serpent wristlet, and black suede and satin sandals — all from Roberto Cavalli at South Coast Plaza

		Susan Fuller Luscious Lingerie Susan Fuller has found her new calling: extraordinary lingerie. After a two-decade legal career, the mother of three boys recently returned to retail, which she flourished at before life took her in other directions. Fuller’s boudoir-inspired boutique, La Lace, is located in toney Del Rayo Village, a perfect spot for the shop’s luxurious and exclusive inventory. "I wanted to be different," she says, "and not carry what they have in department stores." Fuller travels to New York and Europe to purchase sophisticated lines including La Perla, Sabbia Rose, and Cadolle, a fifth-generation French fashion house that first invented the brassiere in 1889. Though La Lace stocks an assortment of well-made basics, the boutique caters more to women seeking highly personalized service and gorgeous bras, bustiers, corsets, camisoles, and gowns. (858/756-2727, www.lalace.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens, photo by Vincent Knakal

		Celebrating Couture The Globe Guilders’ 17th Annual Fashion Show was a smash hit. How could it be otherwise, with its stellar history and the exquisite designs of Carolina Herrera? Neiman Marcus presented the sophisticated show of both couture and Resort 2008 fashions to an impressive crowd of beautifully attired fans of fashion and the Old Globe, the beneficiary of this splendid fundraiser. The venue was the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Fern Murphy was chair, and Charlotte Jacobs was co-chair, with the very glamorous Valerie Cooper serving as honorary chair. — Darlene G. Davies, photography by Bob Stefanko