Meet Kathryn Marino | Executive Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathryn Marino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathryn, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking isn’t just part of my journey—it’s the fuel that’s powered every bold move I’ve made.

When the potential is worth the risk, I always ask myself: How high can you jump? You can’t play it small your entire life. Growth, change, and evolution require risk—the daring kind that comes from choosing your own path, even when it goes against the grain.

It’s easy to follow trends or mimic what others in the industry are doing. I can’t count how many times people from other fashion weeks have said, “You should do it like this,” or “That show’s predictable, you should go there.” But here’s the truth: they don’t have our market, and they definitely don’t have our numbers. Orange County outranks the U.S. national average in retail spend—and we do it without the aid of the L.A. market. That makes us one of the most underestimated fashion capitals in the world.

So the risks I take at OC Fashion Week are calculated—based on audience profiles, location dynamics, and community support. The kind of support that matters is rooted in outcome. Making decisions that move people forward.

Taking risks has taken me around the world that lead to a series of coincidences and serendipities to this day go unexplained but I believe it was because I was making these decisive action long before they could come to fruition . It started when I chose to work at a TV station despite being an economics major—without majoring in telecommunications. I learned Spanish at work, and even landed a job working at Univision in market research. Eventually this lead me to bringing that experience to Disney at the time they owned the Ducks and the Angels where I redesigned and automated their broadcast advertising system for the MLB and NHL, later I was offered a senior analyst position for the oc register where I learned to develop databases driven by statistical research.

That momentum never stopped. Even while raising two toddlers, I built a luxury Incentive and Loyalty Agency from the ground up, helped launch one of the first global online car shows out of Las Vegas, and designed a North American racing tour for Aston Martin that took three years to get approved. But it happened.

If I had stayed my introverted self—played it safe—I would have missed out on everything. But every leap of faith led me here. And that’s how I became the owner of OC Fashion Week.

What should our readers know about your business?
What truly sets OC Fashion Week apart from other fashion events around the world is our commitment to developing people—not just producing runways. While most fashion weeks focus solely on designers and models, we’ve built a dedicated division to train and elevate project managers, ensuring they don’t get stuck in narrowly defined roles like “runway coordinator.”

Post-pandemic, we completely removed that title from our structure. Why? Because producing a show at our level requires more than style—it requires strategic thinking, speed, adaptability, and leadership. It demands business athletes—people who can juggle multiple companies, cross-media campaigns, and high-stakes deadlines, all while staying grounded in community values. By rebranding these roles as project management positions, we’ve empowered our team to evolve and thrive in any industry—not just fashion.

What excites me most is watching what happens after the spotlight fades. At the end of each season, I see who rises under pressure, who turns deadlines into opportunities, and who discovers a side of themselves they never knew existed. Some procreate new concepts. Others completely evolve. That transformation is the real runway.

To me, fashion is just the canvas. The real magic—the kind of high-frequency creative energy that electrifies our shows—comes from unlocking the hidden talents in people. And that’s the story I want the world to know: OC Fashion Week is more than a show. It’s a catalyst for personal evolution.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, they couldn’t have picked a better place in the world.

Start with a stay at La Casa del Camino in Laguna Beach—a charming boutique hotel where the Pacific Ocean becomes your personal jewel. Head upstairs to The Rooftop Lounge, where oceanfront cocktails and coastal cuisine come with panoramic views on every corner.

From there, swing by Crystal Cove for a pair of luxe shades at EyeXam—because in the OC, beach weather shows up nearly 365 days a year. Then stroll over to The Beachcomber Café for front-row ocean views and a menu that hits every note. Or, if you’re craving casual classics, climb the steps for a burger and shake at The Shake Shack, perched just above the waves.

In Newport Beach, check into Vea Newport Beach—a stunning destination for a 4–5 night escape complete with a chef-curated menu and only steps away from Fashion Island. Don’t miss RH (Restoration Hardware) Gallery—a five-story temple of luxury design with rooftop dining that feels like a museum of modern living.

And to close it all out? 180blu at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Order a cosmo, savor the Spanish tapas, and soak in sweeping views of Salt Creek Beach. Their signature hospitality and sunsets will restore your soul—and remind you why OC is the crown jewel of coastal living.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shoutout goes to the incredible student interns who participated in their first season of Fashioned4theFuture®.

This program isn’t just about fashion—it’s a high-impact, real-world project management training initiative designed to help young professionals activate their full potential. At OC Fashion Week®, the pace is relentless, the expectations are high, and the challenges come fast. It takes a business athlete mindset to thrive—and these students rose to the occasion.

Watching them navigate high-pressure environments, adapt on the fly, and rise as leaders in their own right has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Their growth, grit, and brilliance deserve recognition—and they are a huge part of why our shows carry such high-frequency creative energy.

This shoutout is for them—for showing up, stepping up, and becoming the future we believe in.

Website: https://www.ocfashionweek.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocfashionweek

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-marino-422kat/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocfashionweek.tm

Youtube: https://youtube.com/ocfashionweek

Other: https://www.instagram.com/hauteoc

Image Credits
Before becoming the owner of OC Fashion Week® in 2013, Kathryn Marino was the publicist for the Italian American Opera Festival—an early foreshadowing of her gift for orchestrating grand productions that blend art, culture, and commerce. Seen here at Soka Performing Arts Center with beauty entrepreneur Manna Kadar of Manna Kadar Cosmetics, Marino stood poised at the intersection of influence and innovation.

Looking back, Marino’s early presence at Soka University feels far from coincidental. Years later, she would return not as a guest, but as the first to stage a full-scale runway show on campus—a visionary move that redefined the boundaries of fashion production. In 2015, faced with strict noise ordinances, she pioneered the use of silent DJ technology and wireless headphones for Coach guests and influencer VIPs. The bold solution not only met compliance—it quietly revolutionized how live fashion could be experienced.

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Photo 1: For photography hair and makeup @xtrimhair_makeup
Maricar Calame.
Photo 2: The woman next to me in the Blvgari shot is the owner of Manna Kadar Cosmetics .
Photo 3: The waterway catwalk at World Peace Lake photo by Nhi Tran