50 AND FABULOUS

TWO O.C. FASHION MECCAS TOAST A HALF-CENTURY OF IMPECCABLE SOCAL STYLE.

Two Orange County fashion meccas toast a half-century of impeccable SoCal style.

The Champagne corks are popping down at Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 855-658-8527; shop fashionisland.com)! Since opening its doors in 1967, the upscale shopping and dining destination has held pride of place as the heart of style-savvy Newport Beach, housing some of the biggest names in world fashion. That roster grows this year with the additions of Italian denim giant AG Jeans and Orange County’s first Alice + Olivia, the by-way-of-NYC womenswear favorite for Coachella-meets-big city chic. “We love the energy and style of the women in Newport Beach,” says Alice + Olivia’s CEO and creative director, Stacy Bendet, of the synergy between Southern California’s free-spirit style and the brand’s whimsical prints and feminine silhouettes.

Haven’t gotten your fill of fashionable finds? Some five miles north, South Coast Plaza (3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 800782-8888; southcoastplaza.com) is also celebrating its big 5-0. Like its Newport Beach neighbor, the Costa Mesa giant—the largest shopping center on the West Coast—continues to expand, most recently with the likes of Dior Homme and Gucci, the latter of which is toasting its landlord’s half-century mark with limited-edition pieces exclusive to South Coast Plaza, such as a red jacquard version of its ever-classic Sylvie top-handle tote. Now that’s how you respect your elders…

Alice + Olivia in wonderland! The urbanboho mainstay joins beloved denim house AG Jeans (BOTTOM RIGHT) in toasting the 50th anniversary of Fashion Island (BELOW) with the debut of new SoCal boutiques.

This limited-edition large Sylvie top-handle bag in red jacquard ($2,890) is exclusive to Gucci’s new store at South Coast Plaza.