My Fashion Island
Field notes with Lani Nicholas on her ultimate stomping grounds.
Lani Nicholas wasn’t setting out to be the poster girl of cool California minimalism when she relocated back to her native Newport Beach from London eight years ago. But here she is: wind in her hair, big Bottega Veneta sunglasses, and a Ralph’s cold brew in hand.
Nobody owns this subtly trend-forward aesthetic quite like Nicholas. The Newport Beach-based influencer and brand executive has made Fashion Island the de facto backdrop for her chic, "city-raised, Southern California-living" Instagram feed (@lanitonnu).
“I'm a city gal, so I wanted to find a location where I can bring urban style into a coastal setting,” says Nicholas.
For Nicholas, Fashion Island isn't just a shopping destination; it’s an extension of her daily life. She eats here, shops here, and
as the Director of Brand Marketing for the interior design powerhouse Studio McGee & Co., she works here too—most recently hosting a packed, high-profile book launch at Barnes & Noble.
Eye honed, she routinely skips over the center's most tried and-true backdrops in favor of the unexpected. Those oversized terracotta planters outside Macy’s? That's her signature framing. The sidewalk in front of RH? She’s a master at catching the golden hour shot, balancing palm trees with the architecture's clean lines.
“London and New York will forever influence the way I dress, but having always lived near the water, I naturally gravitate toward pieces that feel elevated yet relaxed, polished but approachable. Fashion Island is one of the few places where those two worlds come together for me,” she says.
Here, Nicholas spills her insider tips for a photo-finish summer at Fashion Island. Off duty style: It’s on!
BUCK MASON
“It’s one of our favorite stops for everyday essentials. My husband and I both work from home, so our wardrobes are built around great basics, and Buck Mason consistently gets the fit, quality, and ease exactly right. From perfectly cut tees to polos and casual layers, it’s become our go to for pieces that feel effortless, timeless, and elevated without trying too hard.”
R+D Kitchen
“We have a standing Friday reservation at R+D and it’s become one of those rituals we never miss. While there are plenty of great restaurants nearby, the team, the familiar faces, the French dip, and the cheeseburger keep us coming back week after week. It feels like an extension of home—and that’s probably the highest compliment I can give any restaurant.”
RALPH'S COFFEE
It has quickly become my favorite coffee stop at Fashion Island. The coffee is made with La Colombe beans from New York, which immediately gives me a little taste of one of my favorite cities.” Her order: The large cold brew. And I recently discovered the coffee soft-serve and can confidently say it’s worth the detour every time.
RALPH LAUREN
I’m a complete sucker for Ralph Lauren. From Polo shirts and knits to hats and home pieces, it’s one of the few brands my husband and I both genuinely love, and it’s become part of our lifestyle as much as our wardrobe. The timeless East Coast heritage mixed with relaxed California living feels very true to who I am.
NORDSTROM
“It’s my everyday fashion destination because it carries so many of the European and Australian brands I love that don’t have standalone stores in Orange County. Whether it’s Christopher Esber, Posse, CO, House of Dagmar, or Aligne, It’s effortless, elevated, and always feels relevant to how I actually dress.”
CHANEL BOUTIQUE AT NEIMAN MARCUS
Since Matthieu Blazy took over as Creative Director, many of the runway pieces have become incredibly difficult to source, but the Chanel team at Neiman Marcus has been exceptional. Not only do they receive a strong assortment directly in store, they’re also able to help transfer pieces from other locations, which has honestly made for a much better experience than making the trip to the other Southern Californian boutiques.
