CHIC WINTER WEAR will be front and center at Santana Row next week, when the residential shopping complex throws its fifth annual Fall Fashion in the Park runway show on Sept. 11–12. Crowds looking to indulge in some high-end retail therapy this fall will see professional models strut down the catwalk, flaunting the best of the upcoming autumn season's cold-weather collections. Row retailers H&M, Donald Pliner, Oakley, Boutique Harajuku and the Blues Jean Bar will all have lines shown.

The event will benefit several South Bay nonprofits, including Breathe California, Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and Junior League of San Jose, as well as the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

New to Fall Fashion in the Park this year will be sporty hipster boutique Y-3, which opened up its doors in the retail neighborhood on Steven's Creek last July. A collaboration between German athletic brand Adidas and Japanese haute couture designer Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3's winter 2009 line features a unique mix of East and West. A favorite of celebrities like Kanye West, Y-3's styles incorporate origamilike draping and high-end fabrics into traditional sportswear basics, like sweatpants and zip hoodies, all accented by hints of the Adidas classic triple stripe. Though Y-3's high-tops are coveted worldwide by sneakerholics, their women's wear collection is particularly dernier cri this season, focusing on slim, body-hugging bottoms accented with oversize baggy sweaters and outerwear. The garments at Y-3 are a unique interpretation of classy urban wear that shoppers should look forward to seeing on the runway. Oakley, another sportscentric Row brand, will send several outfits down the catwalk that highlight the store's new approach to color this winter, with men's wear featuring bright pops of electric blues, neon greens and mind-bending 3-D prints. Boutique Harajuku will show a more avant-garde sensibility at the show, putting a spotlight on some of the major trends for fall 2009, including big '80s shoulders, supertight leather-look pants, tuxedo jackets and oversize chunky rings and accessories.

"Jean-leggings," the term for the new trend of ultrafitted denim, will be front and center in the show by the Row's the Blues Jean Bar. As with last year, mouth-watering designer heels and handbags will be supplied by Foot Candy and couture eyewear by Sunglass on the Row.

FALL FASHION IN THE PARK shows take place Friday (Sept. 11) at noon and 6pm and Sunday (Sept. 12) at 2 and 6pm at Santana Row Park (in front of Left Bank Brasserie), Winchester and Stevens Creek boulevards, San Jose. Tickets are $40–$60, visit Santanarow.com or call the Concierge Center at 408.551.4611 for more information.

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