Simply OC returns to Fashion Island with an Amazing line up of guest speakers

This year the annual Simply Fashion conference returned to Fashion Island with an amazing line up of experts across the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle spaces. The weekend kicked off with a fashion panel including Content Creator Cassydy Berliner, jewelry designer Gorjana Reidel, TV star Courtney Kerr, celebrity stylist Lo VonRumpf, designer Lindsay Albanese and TV personality Carly Steel. They talked about the latest industry trends and shared their advice with the audience. Next up was the beauty panel with appearances from blogger Christine Kong, TV star Courtney Kerr, celebrity makeup artist Joyce Bonelli, Founder of O Cosmetiques Olia Majd and Founder of GlowTopia Diana Madison. They shared some amazing make up tips! Finally the night ended with a digital marketing panel from .experts Glee Star Becca Tobin, Founder of Planoly Brandy Pham, Content Creator Quigley, model Rocky Barnes and Founder of Elevate My Brand Laurel Wintz. The audience got a special treat with the closing speech by Ashlee Simpson Ross who shared all about her take on fashion, fall and more! It was a great event filled with fun, networking, and expert advice! Not to mention all the great fashions! 

The Top Menswear Trends from the Hollywood Experts at Simply OC

StyleWeek OC kicked off at the beautiful Fashion Island Mall where celebrity stylists and fashion icons fashion blogger J Fig, Doug McLaughlin of RHOC, and celebrity stylist Ashley Weston came out for a Menswear panel to discuss the latest trends for the upcoming fall season. These top style industry leaders dished on the latest trends that no one else will see until they hit the red carpet later this year so remember you heard it here first! Ashley Weston Hollywood menswear stylist for some of the hottest A-list actors like Harrison Ford, Chris Pratt, Kevin Hart and more told us about her tips for creating a sleek and polished red carpet look.

The panelists talked about their favorite trends of the season and shared the daring looks they predicted would be on the rise in 2019. They all agreed that yellow is the color of the moment and loved adding pops of the bright hue to lighten up any look. Ashley Weston also recommended mixing houndstooth prints into your wardrobe this fall because the classic fall print is making a comeback. She also said that girls could use some of these tips too because going for the masculine look for women is always a great way to mix it up with an oversized suit or a shirt and tie look.

When each of the panelists were asked what their favorite piece was for menswear they all had interesting essential items for the stylish man. Doug McLaughlin started off telling the audience about his favorite leather jacket. He said the jacket was something he wanted to pass on to his sons because he felt that it was the perfect addition to any man's wardrobe and was a great nostalgic piece to be used again and again.

Ashley said she always recommended her clients own a pair of nice loafers because they could be worn at any occasion and dressed up or down.

Daniel Musto added that sunglasses were another essential he loved to have in his closet and J Fig said he couldn't live without a soft comfortable t-shirt. These essentials are all great tips for creating the basis for a stylish wardrobe. The panelists also talked about their favorite way to elevate their looks. Doug McLaughlin shared his favorite tips for looking sharp on date night saying, "Recently I wore a light cream colored suit for date night with Lydia and she loved it because usually I tend to go for the darker colored suits." Apparently his lighter color palette was a big it with his wife and its something he'll definitely be bringing back.

Ashley Weston recommended several tips for looking red carpet ready saying, "I always tell my clients never let your socks show!" She also recommends having one good tailored suit because fit can really make or break a look.

The panel discussion turned to the current state of menswear as the panelists talked about their favorite brands which ranged everywhere from Suit Supply to Rodd and Gunn. The panelists talked about how much the men's fashion industry has grown and changed in the past few years and Ashley Weston said, "I feel like I can tell my clients to take risks now and go with a patterned shirt they might never wear or add some bright colors and they always end up loving it because people think men's fashion is boring and just the same old thing over and over again but it doesn't have to be."

All in all the panel was very informative and even I got some great style tips from it!

Highlights from StyleWeek OC at the Simply Conference at Fashion Island

The Simply conference was the highlight of StyleWeek OC held at Fashion Island on Saturday September 15 and featured some great panels that covered everything from style to beauty and more! The event had several fun photo ops and several celebrity appearances. They also gave away the cutest little mini flower bouquets and some awesome lipstick from NYX. One of my favorite panels was the beauty panel. There were several experts who came to share their favorite beauty tips with the audience. Hollywood makeup artist Louise Roe, Access Hollywood Style Correspondent Emma Willis, TV personality Alli Landry, and blogger babe Lillian Babian all dropped some major beauty knowledge talking about all the latest crazy beauty trends and which ones actually work and what's a waste of time! 

After the beauty panel Reality Star Lauren Bushnell headlined the final panel of the night talking about women's fashion along with Sophie Elkus and Kat Tanita. She also made an appearance in Bloomingdale's earlier that day to talk about her Wine label Dear Rose wines. I caught up with the star to hear about what she's been up to lately. Check out her interview below.
She gave me an update on her company Dear Rose Wines and what they've been working on since we talked at Simply LA.
She said, "It's been going well...continuing to grow and utilizing Stasi which is out alcohol delivery app that we use to deliver our wine in 30 minutes or less to customers in LA, SD, and SF. We're kind of looking at expanding beyond California that's out next step and then also focusing on our 2018 vintage for next spring."
Then we talked about her other passion project Bellevue the label which she will be developing more coming this spring! She said, "Bellevue the label, I was just doing too many things, so we took a little pause which was fine because we released out first capsule and then for our next capsule it'll probably be like a spring capsule which is fun because I love spring fashion so much!"

She talked about balancing her business with her other hobbies and projects saying, "It was just too much and I realized I wasn't able to give either my full attention so I was like I really gotta just focus on one thing at a time."
It is so great to hear a Girlboss like Lauren keep it real and reminds us all that social media and society can set unrealistic expectations! It's okay not to be superwoman and taking a pause doesn't mean you're quitting or giving up. It can actually benefit you in the long run!
She left us with her favorite style tip for Fall saying, "I feel like there are so many trends out there and there are always new trends happening but you've gotta wear what you're most comfortable in and what you feel works for you. Don't try to make it happen if you feel uncomfortable or you don't feel like yourself!"
Check out more of my Simply OC coverage for all the latest trends in menswear here!