Finding a Winner in the Battle Between South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island...

One is enclosed, the other is wide open.  One is positioned as an entryway to extravagance, the other sits in the midst of surrounding luxury.  One is freeway close, while the other nearly hugs the coastline.

Chances are these things are the first differences that come to mind if asked to describe the difference between South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island.  From there, any contrasts that are discussed between the two legendary shopping centers may be a little bit tougher to dig up, if only because there are so many things about the two complexes that are so similar.  Both opened to the public in 1967.  Both contain an abundance of experiences that are geared specifically toward those who enjoy life’s most indulgent pleasures.  Both are marketed to Orange County with impossibly attractive people wearing faces of varying sultriness.  Neither damages your social status if you admit to shopping there on occasion.  In fact, it may not be all that bad of an idea to make sure a bag from one of their high-end stores is not-so-discreetly displayed somewhere during your next dinner party.  For some people, the lines that separate the two shrines of retail bliss – don’t dare to call them malls – are blurred to the point where they are looked at as equals; friendly rivals that at their dueling hearts offer essentially the same superb opportunities to enhance their lives with material excellence.

But, is that, in fact, really the case?  After all, there are those who swear the magic of South Coast Plaza is far more potent and thrilling than whatever Fashion Island has to offer.  Likewise, some people tirelessly defend the Newport Beach center at the cost of its South Coast Metro counterpart.  While some of the rationale behind the preference seems to be rooted in personal taste, years of debate over which retail palace is indeed superior may leave you to wonder if one place does really provide the most luxurious shopping encounter.  If that question does arise in your head, wouldn’t you want to have some sort of answer for it, even if a deep examination shows that one bests the other by just a smidgen?  Sure you do.

This is why this article exists.  By putting both legendary shopping centers under similar scrutiny and judging them on things such as ambiance and retail opportunities (while keeping in mind that in a world of luxury, sometimes non-luxurious items are needed), we will seek to put an end to the debate of which shopping center contains the most exquisite shopping experience once and for all.  Well, at least until the next time someone you know approaches the subject.

Aesthetic – Close your eyes and imagine a crisp, Orange County autumn Saturday morning.  The temperature may dictate that you throw on a jacket, but that’s a small concession to make when you consider how seemingly endless the bright, blue sky looks.  Besides, the slight nip in the air adds an irresistible characteristic to the day; one that the half-consumed yet still steamy latte nestled in your right hand only enhances.  The bottom of your foot meets a couple of crunchy leaves.  The sound wafts in your ears.  Life is good.  Now combine that aura of bliss with the idea of darting in and out of various clothing and fragrance stores.  Doesn’t that seem like the perfect scenario, one that can only be experienced in an outdoor venue like Fashion Island?  Granted, weather doesn’t always work out as ideally, and South Coast Plaza works wonders for keeping you dry in a rainstorm or cool during a heat wave.  Yet all the structure is doing is providing you with comfort.  Fashion Island, when the weather works (which is about 90% of the time) gives you an enriching, romantic experience.  ADVANTAGE:  Fashion Island.

Flow – When done properly (read:  enter from the Bristol Street side of the structure), South Coast Plaza can feel like the retail equivalent of Maurice Ravel’s classical masterpiece, “Bolero.” The shopping experience begins slowly as you stride past stores and food options that are commonly found in various malls or shopping megaplexes.  But when you start walking down the center’s east-west corridor, where children are merrily spinning on the carousel, the stores become a little more upscale, a little more lavish.  As you look around, traditional, easy-to-find mainstays like Gymboree and Mrs. Field’s Cookies are replaced by Burberry and Jimmy Choo.  And much like the tail-end of the legendary orchestral work blossoms into a powerfully majestic sonic flood, the end of this passageway opens to a flourish of delightfully exclusive studies in haute couture that makes your inner fashionista swoon.  Places like Tiffany and Co., Cartier, and Salvatore Ferragamo.  It is indeed downright symphonic in its approach and scale.  To this end, Fashion Island suffers, as their pockets of luxurious shopping opportunities tend to be scattered about in a more haphazard manner, resulting in an experience that can feel a little more disjointed in comparison.  ADVANTAGE:  South Coast Plaza.

Shopping Choices – The stores of Fashion Island do encompass a broader stroke of retail selection, one that stretches across budget and item.  This is especially important as the holidays approach and retail efficiency becomes a little more essential; indeed, there’s something to be said about being able to score a purse at Kate Spade and a pair of sneakers at Dick’s Sporting Goods in one fell swoop.  However, South Coast Plaza has built their stellar reputation in part by boasting luxe brands whose presence as a boutique storefront is virtually non-existent elsewhere.  Certainly, the chance to go into an ultra-exclusive, store like Chloé or Canali does give the center an extra sense of sexiness that Fashion Island does not possess.  Even if you don’t purchase anything from these stores, merely walking in them fills you with a sense of fulfilling accomplishment.  ADVANTAGE:  South Coast Plaza.

Dining Choices – Both venues contain some pretty heady, highly acclaimed restaurants in their arsenal.  South Coast Plaza has Marché Moderne, AnQi by Crustacean, and Charlie Palmer’s.  Fashion Island is home to Brasserie Pascal, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion and Fleming’s.  However, if you are going on a shopping excursion, there is a decent chance that you may want to just grab something that can either be devoured quickly or eaten on the go.  If you find yourself in this situation, Fashion Island will be a much bigger help to you than South Coast Plaza, if only for the former’s inclusion of Five Guys Burgers & Fries.  ADVANTAGE:  Fashion Island.

Atmosphere – South Coast Plaza is the only venue of its kind where you may feel the urge to dress as if you are going to a business meeting or an evening of fine arts without thinking for a second that you are overdoing things.  This is because the vibe that blows through the majority of the venue is one that dictates a fantastic sense of importance.  After all, who wants to pop into the Rolex store wearing a printed T-shirt and jean shorts?  Fashion Island’s ambience has no such demands, which may ultimately make it a more relaxed place to shop, which in turn makes the brand of luxury it peddles feel a little more accessible.  Plus, it is not uncommon in the least bit to be able to see several people out and about with their dogs, walking the premises.  This wonderful example of owner/pet bonding does bestow the property with an ideal touch of whimsy.  ADVANTAGE:  Fashion Island.

Reputation – The stories of people travelling from all corners of the globe for the chance to shop at South Coast Plaza are not exaggerated.  That is all.  ADVANTAGE:  South Coast Plaza.

Intangibles – Part of the fun of shopping is the positive way it affects your soul.  Therefore, the question must be asked:  Which venue makes you feel cooler, sexier, or more empowered?  If it was pitted against virtually any other venue, Fashion Island would take this category, because it gives you plenty of opportunities to feel slicker than an icy pond.  But here’s the thing about South Coast Plaza; even if you’re worth millions of dollars, walking through its corridors will still make you feel like a lucky skunk because you can comfortably shop there without thinking twice.  That’s mighty powerful.  ADVANTAGE:  South Coast Plaza. 

WINNER:  South Coast Plaza.  The place really does shout luxury from its third-story rooftop for all of Orange County to hear.  Although it doesn’t really need to do so much as whisper, because its lavish aura can envelop you even as you speed by it on the 405 (or stuck by it if you find yourself on the road on a late weekday afternoon).  Heck, even the Sears that fills its far northeast corner contains a slight sense of opulence.  As fun as a day at Fashion Island can be – and rest assured, there is plenty of joy to be had there – ultimately, South Coast Plaza gives you just slightly more of a reason to smile.  Or make some sort of sultry face. 

By Rich Manning