Watch Fine Art Meet High Fashion in Laguna Beach on Saturday, August 31

LAGUNA BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 19, 2013) - One of last summer's most popular events "FESTIVAL RUNWAY FASHION" returns Saturday, August 31 to the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California. The festival, a Southern California staple in the arts and culture scene, features the work of 140 award-winning artists from Orange County. But on this one and only day from 1-4pm, some of these fine artists will make fashion their medium -- competing to create the most inspired couture using reclaimed, reused or recycled materials. This year's event is sponsored by Arbonne, the unparalleled botanically based beauty and wellness brand.

The show is in its fifth year and offers cash prizes of $1,000 in four categories: Most Creative Concept, Most Exciting Ensemble, Most Innovative Use of Materials and Most Glamorous & Elegant "Red Carpet" worthy creation. There will also be a "People's Choice Award" (sans monetary prize) to be voted on at the event.

"This fashion show emphasizes inventiveness and creativity in the name of the environment in the most fun way! At Arbonne, we are all about being green -- from botanically based ingredients to forward-looking green improvements -- so being earth friendly has everything to do with who we are and how we choose to grow. This is an excellent way to bring our initiatives to light," says Arbonne Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Michael D'Arminio, who will open the show by taking the runway in a special Arbonne branded suit. The exclusive attire features a bespoke jacket and pants with a repeated custom print of the grass-green Arbonne logo, designed by Arbonne's Creative Director Arlette Madenlian.

This special fashion contest event requires that artists' garments be 80 percent or more of recycled materials. Festival artists then compete for the best design and execution in front of a panel of judges by walking the runway. Among the judges will be Arbonne CEO Kay Napier, alongside celebrity stylist guest judge, Steven "Cojo" Cojocaru, Celebrity Fashion Critic known for his "Best and Worst Dressed" lists and Lisa M. Berman, The "Go To" Style Diva and Proprietor of Sculpture to Wear Gallery. The event will be hosted by Christos Garkinos from Bravo's "Dukes of Melrose." Competing artists include W. Bradley Elsberry (artist medium: acrylics), Elizabeth McGhee (oil), Adam Neeley (jewelry), Brittany Ryan (sculpture) and Jon Seeman (sculpture). For more information on the Festival of the Arts, please visit the website at http://www.foapom.com/event/festival-runway-fashion/.

About Arbonne International

Founded in Switzerland in 1975, Arbonne International, LLC, creates personal care and wellness products that are crafted with premium botanical ingredients and innovative scientific discovery. Arbonne. Pure, Safe, Beneficial. Arbonne's personal care and nutrition formulas are vegan certified and adhere to a strict Purity and Safety Ingredient Policy. Arbonne products are available at arbonne.com or through an extensive network of Arbonne Independent Consultants in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Arbonne is a privately held company and is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. For more information, including ingredient information, please visit www.arbonne.com. Arbonne® and the aa logo are registered trademarks of Arbonne International, LLC.

About the Festival of Arts: California's Premier Fine Art Show

As one of the nation's oldest and most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts has offered a breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers for over 80 years. The Festival's prestigious juried art show includes a wide variety of media such as paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass and more -- all by 140 of Orange County's finest artists. This is the place to find that perfect art treasure for your home or business. From late June through the end of August, the Festival of Arts opens its doors daily for visitors to not only enjoy the award-winning work of exhibited artists, but also demonstrations and art workshops, daily art tours, live music, special events, on-site restaurants and much more. 

For general information, call (949) 494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.