Biz Buzz: Is SLO becoming the Sundance of fashion?

A new documentary showcases the stylish side of the Central Coast.

“Haute Couture: A Fashion Documentary,” which premieres tonight in San Luis Obispo, focuses on the clothing-conscious trendsetters who make the region tick.

“When you walk downtown in San Luis Obispo, you see a lot of girls who are dressed up and a lot of boutiques,” said Johnny Kenny, the film’s producer. “It’s a very fashion- forward town.”

Directed by Robin Chilton of Peregrine Media Group and Two Trips Motion Pictures, “Haute Couture” centers on Central Coast Fashion Week, a six-week series of fashion shows and soirees launched in 2008.

This spring, the event featured four local designers — Francisco Castro, Kristina Michelle, Nancy Westerfield and Kate White — as well as Hawaiian swimwear designer Elena Merritt of BoomBoom Bikini and hip-hop group LMFAO’s Party Rock clothing line.

“We wanted to showcase people who are talented and young and at the beginnings of their careers,” explained Kenny, who teamed up with Jillian Bove and James Witt to market and produce the event.

Organizers also cast about 150 models, a mix of college students and community residents.

“Haute Couture” features backstage and runway footage shot this May and June at Native Lounge in downtown San Luis Obispo, as well as interviews with designers, models and producers.

In addition, filmmakers staged a fashion shoot against such backdrops as Prefumo Canyon and See Canyon Fruit Ranch.

Organizers are already planning next year’s Central Coast Fashion Week at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

They hope to make San Luis Obispo a destination for the fashion-savvy.

“We want to be something like the Sundance Film Festival, but for fashion,” Kenny said.

‘Haute Couture’ screens tonight

‘Haute Couture: A Fashion Documentary’ screens at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. today at the Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Run time is 20 minutes. Although all three film screenings are free, moviegoers must RSVP by contacting Johnny Kenny at 503-0288 or johnnykenny@gmail.com.

— Sarah Linn

Athletic gear store opens in Paso

Paso Robles residents Marina Keezer and Janet Marcotte have opened Great Moves, a 770-square-foot retail location specializing in dance, gymnastics, yoga and other athletic wear and shoes at 1320-A Pine St. in Paso Robles. Keezer said she opened the store with Marcotte so that North County residents won’t have to go online to find specialty items.

Keezer also co-owns Gremark Vineyard in Paso Robles with her husband, Greg Keezer.

Marcotte is a co-owner of Central Coast Adworks in Paso Robles with her husband, Tom Marcotte.

— Julia Hickey