Column: The Crowd: Fashion Island toasts 50 years with a look back in time

The world of retail shopping is undergoing a veritable sea-change.

The impact of the online retail giants, including Amazon, Wal-Mart and others, has dramatically altered the consumer shopping practice and method.

Many shopping malls — especially smaller regional suburban centers — are closing or in best-case scenario, reinventing their retail space to become centers of dining and entertainment as well.

On the Orange Coast, the scenario is quite different.

Yes, Amazon may be delivering brown boxes to most doorsteps daily, but the crowds have no intention of forsaking a legendary aspect of life in Newport Beach.

That legendary destination is known as Fashion Island.

Last week in Newport Beach, the iconic center celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A chic dinner party at Fig & Olive welcomed some 200 invited guests, including many who have made Fashion Island a notable success story in the retail realm.

One of the special attendees was Alberto “Al” Trevino, the principal planner of Fashion Island 50 years ago.

The center opened in 1967 and Trevino was a young man with a very big vision. The predominant philosophy of the time concerning the development of shopping centers was the construction of massive enclosed malls with stores positioned along wide interior hallways.

Original plans for Fashion Island followed a similar suit.

Trevino cried foul.

His vision went against the prevailing tide, insisting that the location of the proposed retail center demanded an “open-air” garden setting that would embrace the topography of its location with idyllic ocean vistas. Trevino wanted the public to enjoy the costal breezes, the tall palms and the Mediterranean-inspired vegetation surrounding the shops and restaurants to be built.

The young man prevailed in spite of formidable opposition. Trevino, attending the anniversary dinner with his daughter Teresa Trevino Gacnik and her husband, Michael Gacnik, joined another distinguished guest, William Watt, founder and president of Baywood Development Group and principal builder of Fashion Island.

They were surrounded by admirers and well-wishers, including many individuals who also made a significant contribution to the success of Fashion island.

Among them were Lula Halfacre Andre, former owner of Traditional Jewelers with her late husband Marion Halfacre; John Braeger, son the of the late retail superman Dick Braeger of Gary’s Men’s Store; Carol Benchley former owner of long time luggage store Benchley’s; Annie and Richard Hallajian from Newport Tobacco; and Edie and Richard Marowitz of Newport’s Children’s Bootery who have provided shoes for local kids for several generations.

Needless to say, the dinner event was something of a family reunion hosted by Irvine Co. executives joining Fashion Island executives, led by Tanya Thomas, vice president and general manager of the Fashion Island Shopping Center. Thomas served as mistress of ceremonies, introducing all the special guests and sharing bits of personal data on each one. She also shared her own story.

“When I was a young college student, I came to Fashion Island for an outdoor concert event. I was so impressed by the place and by the work of a lady named Barbara Rappolo, then the general manager, I decided right then to change my college major and go into retail management,” said Thomas. “And one day, I said to myself, I want to be the GM of Fashion Island.”

Rappolo stood and was applauded. She joined other dignitaries, including actress Leslie Mann, Newport Beach Mayor Kevin Muldoon, Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis, Irvine Co. President of Retail Properties Dave Moore, Hoag Hospital’s Nina Robinson (formerly of Fashion Island) and husband Dave Robinson.

A large contingent of Irvine Co. execs front and center Included Dan Miller, Paul Hernandez, Ken Gillett, Christine DuVall, William Lobdell, Fred Collings, Easther Liu and Mike Bennett.

The arriving crush on a warm summer Thursday evening on the coast were met at the Fig & Olive valet station and ushered onto the handsome patio for cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres.

The upbeat mood of the VIP guests reinforced the positive future for Fashion Island as a lifestyle destination.

More than a retail center for 50 years, the complex has been a magnet for locals and tourists to shop, dine, congregate and people watch.

And while the world moves to online retail, it will never replace the need for people to interact, to see what others are wearing, how they behave, and where they shop, dine and entertain.

The dinner crowd was escorted into a private dining room at Fig & Olive seated at exposed bleached wood tables festooned with vases of white on green summer blooms.

A three-course menu that began with a selection of starters including gazpacho soup and a signature veggie infused salad was followed by a selection of entrees featuring filet, sea bass and risotto.

Summer sparkling rose wine flowed. A decadent dessert of chocolate pot de crème and other sweets ended the feast as a fashion show concluded the 50th anniversary dinner party.

Participating in the late-night fashion parade were models showing off clothing from Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Gary’s, Macy’s and more. As the party wound down, Dave Moore joined Thomas in a toast. “Here’s to the next 50 years,” he said. “The future looks very bright.”

Judging from the crowds enjoying Fashion Island, the toast is right on the money.

In other Fashion Island news

Fans of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar have noticed that the uber-popular dining room at Fashion island is undergoing a major face-lift.

Fleming’s bosses report that a “beautiful new restaurant” will be revealed in the fall, but in while the facade is under renovation, the dining room is open and ready to serve its loyal customers.

Flemings has been a mainstay of fine dining at Fashion Island.

Founders Paul Fleming and Bill Allan first opened the steakhouse some 20 years ago in Newport Beach.

For more information, visit flemingssteakhouse.com.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.