The Country Friends bring fashion and philanthropy to The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

Fashion may change with the season, but generosity has enduring appeal. On September 10, 2026, The Country Friends’ Art of Fashion returned to The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, bringing fall collections and a shared commitment to community to the annual runway show and luncheon. The event marked the organization’s 22nd year of partnership with South Coast Plaza

Against the Inn’s garden setting, the runway brought the international fashion world to Rancho Santa Fe. Collections from Balmain, Ferragamo, Max Mara, Eleventy, and Monique Lhuillier were among those featured, giving guests a look at the season while supporting the local charitable work that gives the gathering its purpose. 

This year’s honorary chair, philanthropist Karen Gregg Hoehn, embodies that connection between personal involvement and lasting service. Recognized for her support of young people, education, the arts, and nonprofit organizations, Hoehn has a longstanding relationship with the event: she served as co-chair in 2012, and her family has supported Art of Fashion for many years.

Champagne, a first look at the season’s fashions, and a leisurely four-course luncheon set the rhythm for the day. Guests browsed South Coast Plaza’s mini-boutiques and enjoyed the runway presentation, with KFMB-TV/News 8 anchor Anna Laurel guiding the program as emcee. Behind the 2026 event were co-chairs Keilene “Kiki” Hayward and Irina Fenison, while Linda Sansone and Tamara Lafarga-Joseph sponsored the champagne reception. Between shopping and the show, there was time to catch up with friends and savor the occasion.

Behind the occasion is a charitable commitment spanning more than seven decades. The Country Friends supports nonprofits serving women, children, families, seniors, military families, and individuals with disabilities throughout the community. Art of Fashion helps sustain that work, turning a day devoted to personal style into support for people whose needs extend well beyond the runway. 

That local connection gives the event its character. International designers provide the fashion; volunteers, supporters, and friends provide its staying power. At Rancho Santa Fe’s annual gathering, the most enduring statement is the willingness to give.