Friday, April 16, 2010
Shoppers celebrate the opening of Nordstrom at Fashion Island
By MAGDA LISZEWSKA
FOR OCLNN
You know you’re at a beauty bash when the shout-out to the crowd is “Estée Lauder’s in the houuuuse!”
Estée Lauder as well as Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Clinique, and many other cosmetics brands were well represented at the event in front of Orange County’s newest Nordstrom at Fashion Island Friday morning. Hundreds of shoppers lined up for make-up consultations and free samples.
Esther Tanouye of Huntington Beach said she learned how to pick the right shades for her complexion at a Lancome station and enjoyed the bounty of freebies.
For Alicia Hale, the bash was a networking opportunity although the Newport Beach resident who works for a plastic surgeon indulged in some pampering as well.
“This Anastasia is like heaven-sent,” she said.
But the beauty bash was just a warm-up to the main event of the morning, the opening of the sixth Nordstrom in Orange County.
Even local celebrities couldn’t resist lining up with their credit cards in tow.
“I want to be the first person in there,” Real Housewife of Orange County Alexis Bellino said, who showed up with her husband, Jim, and their three young children.
And first she was, along with about 1,000 other shoppers who entered the store at 10 a.m. welcomed by applauding Nordstrom employees.
“We’re thrilled to be here, we’re appreciative of the customers,” said Pete Nordstrom, president of merchandising.
Although the latest department store is only a few miles away from its South Coast Plaza counterpart, Nordstrom is betting on local shoppers who appreciate they don’t have to drive far and are loyal to nearby businesses. Having lived in Corona Del Mar, Nordstrom said he’s familiar with the area and Fashion Island and believes it’s a successful center.
Considering that these days, store closings far outnumber openings, Nordstrom offered a clue into how his company is beating the odds.
“If you stay focused on your customer, it allows you to evolve naturally with the business,” he said.
Several shoppers at the openings mentioned their appreciation for the store’s customer service. One shopper even asked Nordstrom to take a picture with her baby.
Elaine DeSantos said she used to work for Nordstrom and recalls the experience as very positive so when she saw Pete Nordstrom, she just couldn’t resist the photo op.
“Politicians do it all the time, why can’t the Nordstroms?” she said.
The two-level, 138,000-square-foot store offers the same lines as other Nordstroms in Orange County. One addition to the lineup is the Jerell Scott for True Birds collection of hair accessories. The past “Project Runway” contestant, who focuses mainly on couture designs in his Los Angeles studio, teamed up with former OC residents Heidi and Heather Palmer to create embellished hair bands.
“This is my first collaboration. It’s for clients who can’t afford a $2,000 dress,” he said. “It’s very much me and who I am.”
“He’s all about the extras and that’s what we are,” True Birds designer Heather Palmer said.
Later in the month, the store is set to host a number of celebrities and designers, including the Kardashian sisters 10-11:30 a.m. on April 24.
