The Grove Launches “Fashion @ The Grove”
A First Event Featuring Spring 09 Runway with Barneys New York Co-Op and LA’s Leading DesignersLos Angeles, CA (May 5, 2009)–If you think that Los Angeles designer runway is a thing of the past, then think again! The Grove, Los Angeles’ icon shopping mecca, is venturing into the high style stratosphere with “Fashion@The Grove”, a series of glamorous fetes, social network programming and runway events launching May 14.

This exciting programming provides a much-needed venue for our stylish city, which no longer has an official catwalk to call its own.

The May 14th kickoff spotlights Barneys New York Co-Op, the younger, saucier sibling of posh retailer Barneys New York, with a fashion show and VIP shopping experience.

Local designers Cynthia Vincent of Twelfth Street, Michelle Mason of Mason, John Whitledge, Jon Rose and Sara Mehrkhast of Trovata, Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia, Jason Belick and Jamie Haller of ever and Ali Fatourechi of Genetic Denim will be present and are among the Spring 09 collections that will be shown. That means fans can squelch their style hunger at Barneys New York Co-Op following the show to meet and shop alongside many of this city’s leading designers.

Bringing such heavy-hitting fashion royalty to The Grove marks a new chapter in the mall’s seven-year history.

Open to the public, fashion lovers are all invited to stand and watch the May 14th fashion presentation, which begins at 9 p.m. But seated along Bow Street, a charming little enclave, will be Barneys VIP clients and The Grove platinum-level shoppers who spend at least $25,000 at the center annually to earn that distinction. In addition, these special shoppers will join tastemakers, media and the designers themselves at a private pre-show reception. And after the “tent” goes dark, all guests are invited to the store for an after-hours shopping spree.

The show is meaningful to all involved. But it is especially heartfelt for Designers Michelle Mason, Nony Tochterman and Cynthia Vincent, who headlined the first ever LA Fashion Week in 2003.

Fashionphiles and fans of The Grove will also be able to participate in “Fashion @ The Grove” programming by simply logging on-line to fashionatthegrove.com. Twitter and Facebook will offer fans an insider scoop on the event and the designers.