The hottest new styles will hit the runway during the fourth annual Fashion Week El Paseo, presented by the City of Palm Desert, and organized by Palm Springs Life magazine. The weeklong event will take place at the Great White Fashion Week tent in the fashionable El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert, California, March 23-29, 2009. Our Designer of the Week celebrities have included Kevan Hall (2006), Lloyd Klein (2007), and Eduardo Lucero (2008).

MONDAY, MARCH 23

11:00 AM  The Great Fashion Cut-off Event under the tent. Get ready for Fashion Week El Paseo with a hair consultation, a style/cut, and a blow-dry by artists from J. Russell Salon and other local salons. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres served.

$25 donation benefits Fashion Group Foundation Scholarship Fund. Call (760) 341-4641 for an appointment.

7:00 PM  Pacifica's Fashion Runway Bar. This outrageous launch party serves up a night of martinis sponsored by Pacifica Seafood Restaurant. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, music, and fashions on the runway from Ambiente, Angela Romeo, BB One, Cactus Flower Shoes, Dani C 's, Denise Roberge, Diane's Beachwear, Jet, Josie's Heart, Mister Marcus, Neil's, Two Feathers Gallery, She She, Tommy Bahama. Grand opening of the Chairing Styles exhibition and competition created by FIDM.

Tickets $50 | Students with school ID $25

Price of ticket includes access to After Party at Wally's Desert Turtle.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

11:00-2:00 PM  Fashion Group International presents: Icons of Fashion

Spend an afternoon with fashion icons of the past and present while enjoying a Champagne reception, luncheon, fashion show, silent auction, and presentation of Crystal Style Sustainability Award to John Paul DeJoria, founder of Paul Mitchell Systems. Tickets $100

7:00 PM  ASID Project Runway Interior designers create fashions from home-design materials. Fashion show with celebrity judges, including Cheryl Tiegs, selecting the best designs and awarding prizes to winners. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, music, and fashions. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

7:00 PM  West Coast Destiny This show looks into the present and future of West Coast fashion as designers showcase their unique perspectives on fashion and accessory design. For those with an eye for a one-of-a-kind eclecticism, don't miss this night, which features designers Candice Held, Neely Sheerer of Issho, and jewelry designer Tarina Tarrantino.

Tickets $50 | Students with school ID $25

Price of ticket includes access to After Party at Costas Nightclub at JW Marriott.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

7:00 PM  The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) presents Debut 2009, featuring fashions from FIDM's top graduating design students. Fashion Group Foundation will present its design scholarship to a local student embarking on a career in design.

Tickets $50 I Students with school ID $25

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

7:00 PM  Our first men's Fashion Show will feature the most current "must-haves" for today's man. Jade Howe of Howe will show his men's collection for Spring 09 as well as introduce his White Label collection for the first time. This very hip and energetic show will benefit Desert AIDS Project. Wine, hors d'oeuvres, music, and men's fashions.

Tickets $50 I Students with school ID $25

Price of ticket includes access to After Party at Stir at Renaissance Esmeralda.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

7:00 PM Designer of the Week Fashion Show spectacular featuring the collection of Juan Carlos Obando. Winner of the MAFI / Los Angeles Fashion Award in October, 2008. Obando also won a 2007 International Design Award and has seen his collection reviewed on the cover of WWD.

Tickets $75.00 | Students with school ID $ 37.50

Price of ticket includes access to After Party at Viceroy Palm Springs.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

11:00 AM 'safari Sunday Brunch in the Tent with the Kids. Our first children/teen fashion show featuring students from Marywood / Palm Valley and Sacred Heart Schools.  Bring gently used children's and women's fashions to be donated to Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Jackie Lee's Thrift Shop and The Stroke Recovery Center. Proceeds to benefit scholarship funds for participating schools.

http://www.fashionweekelpaseo.com/