Fit4TheFly: A Night of Fashion-forward Fitness

The crowd, dressed in their finest evening attire, glowed under the elegant, dim lighting. The guests at the intimate event of around 300 took their seats around the inner and outer areas of the room leaving a square-shaped runway in between. Upbeat pop music permeated the space. Night 3 of Orange County Fashion Week had begun.

Fashion enthusiasts gathered at Irvine’s Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge on Sunday for the third night of OC Fashion Week’s seven day series. The night’s event, aptly named Fit4TheFly, featured fashionable activewear and sportswear collections from Millennium, Fabletics, UnderCover MensWear, and San Lorenzo Bikinis.

As the organizer of OC Fashion Week, the Orange County Fashion Council (OCFC) has been dedicated to fashionably responsible initiatives since its foundation in 2005. The OCFC's mission is to raise inner beauty awareness in fashion and provide opportunities by bringing together local and international fashion leaders using fashion as a positive force to influence the local community. The OCFC also offers programs designed to encourage education as a way to ensure a strong fashion workforce and develop the next generation of talented fashion entrepreneurs.

Guests lining the runway at Twenty Eight Restaurant & Lounge

The Rush Hour collection showed off raglan tops with sweat pants made of soft lightweight black and white jersey, giving a comfortable and easy to wear look and feel, enhanced with heels for a complete glamorous outfit. The outfits stunningly displayed the brand’s motif, emblazoned with stylized M’s and striking prints and patterns, solidifying a unique and sophisticated style.

Millennium models on the runway

The night kicked off with the launch of designer Mihaela Enderle’s new brand Millennium. A former athlete and former Versace model, Enderle unveiled her Fall/Winter collection featuring a fusion of activewear and fashion. Enderle’s passions blended seamlessly into her collection titled “Rush Hour.”

Alessandra Mortellaro and Kimmy Jenkins, along with their fellow Millenium models, displayed the dazzling designs as they walked the walk under the spotlights of the runway. “We really wanted to show off the playful and flirty attitude that characterizes the brand,” Jenkins said. Mortellaro added, “We were inspired by our designer who really brought the energy to the event.”

Kimmy Jenkins wearing Fast Track (left) and Alessandra Mortellaro wearing Stoplight (right)

Fabletics, the clothing line co-founded by actress Kate Hudson, featured trendy looks fit for a workout that still pair stylishly with heels. “Thank you Kate Hudson!” a guest in the audience exclaimed as the models made their way around the room in casual and chic looks consisting of boldly accented yoga pants and lightweight tops.

The energy continued as UnderCover MensWear took to the floor. The women in the crowd cheered as the men made their rounds on the runway in a display of underwear and muscles.

“No comment,” laughed Neda Yazdi, one of the guests in attendance, when asked what she thought of the menswear collection.

San Lorenzo Bikinis Model

San Lorenzo Bikinis followed in their debut, showcasing Hawaii bikinis with aloha. The crowd’s attention was captured as the first model introduced the collection, opting for a pair of pineapples in lieu of a bikini top. The collection warmed the room with the tropical, summery theme.

Kathryn Marino, President of Orange County Fashion Week and HauteOC, was proud of how the event turned out. “We’ve never introduced sports and active wear like we did tonight, so I really feel it needed its own day.” Marino is excited for more fashionable and sporty designs, which are definitely a trend we’ll be seeing more of.

OC Fashion Week runs from February 27 until March 5.

Photos and Video courtesy of Jeremy Sepulveda