Thousands Flock to Lauren Conrad's OC Homecoming at the First-Ever Style Week Orange County(TM)

IRVINE, Calif.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--Flanked by several family members and friends, celebrity designer and Orange County native Lauren Conrad celebrated her triumphant return home tonight, kicking off the first-ever Style Week Orange County™ at Irvine Spectrum Center with the unveiling of her holiday collection.

“Judging by the attendance and the crowd’s reaction, Orange County Style Week has arrived in a big way”

Her family, former neighbors and more than 2,500 fans cheered wildly as Conrad’s newest fashions paraded across the outdoor runway.

“It was so exciting to debut my latest collection so close to where I grew up. And to have so many members of my family here supporting me was really special,” Conrad said after the show. “I’m honored to kick off the first-ever Style Week Orange County. Orange County features many stylish and sophisticated people who share my passion for the latest trends and fashions, and Irvine Spectrum Center is an outstanding venue and fashion destination.”

Stacie Ellis, marketing director at Irvine Spectrum Center, said having a star of Conrad’s caliber set the perfect tone for the week of events.

“Judging by the attendance and the crowd’s reaction, Orange County Style Week has arrived in a big way,” she said. “Lauren Conrad really helped energize our week of fashion by putting on a fantastic show. It’s obvious that she has a huge and growing fan base in her hometown.”

The unprecedented six-day fashion event is Sept. 8 through 13, featuring runway shows, a House of Style fashion retrospective with archival displays and iconic style statements from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and center retailers, in-store designer appearances and trunk shows, and much more.

Throughout the week, fall collections from Nordstrom, Macy’s and H&M will be among the looks showcased. Style Week Orange County also marks the first participation in a fashion show for H&M since the international retailer held a fashion extravaganza for 850 people in Central Park in 2005.

The rest of the week will feature:

Thurs., Sept. 11, 7 p.m. – Best of Macy’s
Fri., Sept. 12 at 7 pm. – Seventeen Fashion Show
Sat., Sept. 13, 3 p.m. – Marie Claire and H&M
Sat., Sept. 13, 5 p.m. – Spectrum Collection
Sat., Sept. 13, 7 p.m. – Nordstrom Fall 2008

For more information on Style Week Orange County, visit www.StyleWeekOC.com or www.myspace.com/styleweekorangecounty.

Irvine Spectrum Center, owned by The Irvine Company, is located where the San Diego (405) Freeway and the Santa Ana (5) Freeway meet in Irvine. Irvine Spectrum Center offers a unique mix of shopping, dining and entertainment in a beautiful Spanish-themed atmosphere, including Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 Cinemas, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Target, H&M and more than 130 other specialty stores, restaurants and other entertainment venues. For more information call 949-753-5180 or visit www.ShopIrvineSpectrumCenter.com.