Fashion Island Hosts Fashion's Night Out

It was a night for fashionistas Thursday at Fashion Island and the participating stores did not disappoint. 

Fashion's Night Out, one of the biggest shopping events of the year, is hosted by top retailers throughout the country one night only, Sept. 8.

Fashion Island threw a party even a New York fashionista would be awed by. Celebrity stylist Melis Kuris, who has dressed Helen Mirren, the band Muse, and Twilight stars Anna Kendrick and Kellan Lutz, was on hand to present a fall fashion presentation in which she shared tips and fashion secrets to have you "in the know" when shopping for your fall wardrobe. 

Over 40 stores offered glimpses of their newest fall looks. Personal stylists were on hand along with sweet treats and champagne, special discounts and giveaways. 

Some of the highlights from the event included:

Neiman Marcus

The high-end retailer hosted "Art and Fashion," partnering with FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), that included a Fall Fashion Parade, The Art of Draping, and the Art of Gastronomy, which featured small plates from top Newport Beach restaurants. 

Bloomingdale's 

Their cosmetic boutique Space NK featured the Sai-Sei collection, which was supporting the Japanese Red Cross Society with proceeds from its sales. Glamorous makeovers were being done at selected counters.

FNO-goers mixed and mingled as they enjoyed the award-winning documentary Living it Forever. Directed and produced by Rick and Ann Chatillon, the documentary pays tribute to Newport Beach's surf legends.

Nordstrom

Personal stylists were on hand to answer all of your pressing fall wardrobe questions. A DJ was spinning the latest dance tracks, there was a red carpet for photo ops and giveaways that included a shopping spree with a personal stylist or cosmetics spree with a beauty stylist. 

Many of the smaller boutiques were hosting their own little FNO parties. Original Penquin was serving up a full bar, DJ and gifts with purchase; Haagen Dazs was giving away a free scoop with purchase of one scoop, and True Religion was offering refreshments, gift with purchase and donating 10% of the evening's sales to the NYC AIDS Fund. 

At Forever 21, shoppers were entertained with a scavenger hunt via smartphone.

"The Forever 21 Scavenger Hunt added a fun dimension to shopping and something I'm not sure New York City had this year," said Jennifer Markas, founder of Damsels in Design NYC who made the trip this year to the West Coast to check out the OC style.

Said Melis Kuris, head stylist for the event last night: "I had a lot of fun. It was a really great event, a good turnout. I was very excited to be a part of it." Kuris enlightened the crowd on the newest trends for fall as she explained the styles walking down the runway. 

• The color palette is creams, bordeauxs, wine colors, champagne and black.
• Leather pieces, such as skirts, gloves and mini skirts are in.
• You'll see silk blouses that are either long sleeve or sleeveless with necktie.
• Skirts are either at the knee or below the hemline. Pencil skirts are in.
• Faux fur infinity scarf are in.
• Lower heels are in.

"It's very lady-chick. Lunching with the girls, wonderful dinners. Very classy," said Kuris. "When I style my clients I am very classic, but with a modern twist. I like to use one statement piece that's like 'wow, amazing'."

Looks were pulled from some of the top stores in Fashion Island such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Trina Turk (who provided Kuris' dress for the evening that was very Breakfast at Tiffany's), Jack Spade, Ella Moss, Elie Tahari and American Rag.

Some of the chic pieces that were used included Chanel accessories and Oscar De La Renta dresses.