Blog

Fire Destroys working Wardrobes Headquarters in Irvine
02.03.20
I’m so sorry to report that a fire broke out at the Working Wardrobes headquarters in Irvine early Sunday morning. It was several hours before firefighters could access the building. Everything was destroyed by this fire.
“We are absolutely devastated by this catastrophic loss, the heart of our operations is gone and so is 30 years of history,” said Jerri Rosen, Founder and CEO, after the fire. “We are grateful and relieved to report that no one was hurt or in the building at the time of the fire.”
Approximately 100 firefighters were at the scene. No injuries were reported. Working Wardrobes was in this 22,000-square-foot building since 2016. Everything has been destroyed, including:
- Donation Center: Large warehouse filled with racks, bins, and boxes filled with thousands of donations. Including jackets, pants, shirts, blouses, ties, shoes, jewelry and additional accessories. Home goods, office supplies, etc.
- Career Center: Computer labs where clients worked to research and apply for jobs online, training rooms and IT computer lab. Plus, the VetNet team and program for veterans, SCSEP program for seniors, all client services for women, men, young adults, and all wardrobing services.
- Corporate Office: Entire operations of Working Wardrobes
They are determined to work with their employees, volunteers and the Orange County community to rebuild and continue to fulfill their purpose of helping men, women, young adults and veterans overcome difficult challenges so they can achieve the dignity of work.
Financial donations are what they need the most to rebuild and continue to provide services to veterans, seniors, and unemployed get back into the workforce.
To make a financial donation, visit: workingwardrobes.org/donate.
Their friends at Goodwill have stepped up to provide a temporary home in one of their facilities at 1601 E St Andrew Pl. Santa Ana. They are so grateful for their support and partnership. Much will change for us over the next few months as we start our journey over, but they know the strength of our friends and supporters will buoy us.
Blog

Annual Newport Beach UK Honours Event Kicks Off BAFTA weekend
01.31.20
In a star-studded celebration of the best of UK talent from film, television and music, Visit Newport Beach and the Newport Beach Film Festival will kick off BAFTA weekend with the annual Newport Beach Film Festival UK Honours on Wednesday, January 29th at The Langham London.
For 21 years, the Newport Beach Film Festival, one of the largest luxury lifestyle film festivals in the United States, has included a dedicated UK showcase during its eight-day program. In 2015, the Film Festival and Visit Newport Beach partnered to elevate the connection to the UK industry by honoring talent via the Newport Beach Film Festival UK Honours. Honour categories include Breakout Talent, Artists of Distinction, Icons and Outstanding Achievement in Cinema.
Additionally, Variety, the entertainment industry bible, has partnered with the Newport Beach Film Festival to present their annual list of 10 Brits to Watch at the UK Honours ceremony.
2020 Newport Beach Film Festival UK Honours Honorees
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMA | BEST UK PICTURE:
1917
ICON
Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me? Gosford Park)
Sir Ian Holm (The Lord Of The Rings film trilogy, Chariots of Fire)
ARTIST OF DISTINCTION:
Asa Butterfield (Sex Education, Boy With The Striped Pajamas)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, The Lion King)
Alice Eve (Bombshell, Iron Fist)
Gugu Mbatha Raw (Motherless Brooklyn, Summerland)
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST:
Sophie Cookson (Greed, Kingsman: The Secret Service)
Erin Doherty (The Crown, Les Miserables)
Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education)
George MacKay (1917, Captain Fantastic)
Bel Powley (The Morning Show, White Boy Rick)
Presented by Jenelle Riley, deputy awards and features editor, Variety’s 2020 10 Brits to Watch are as follows:
Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen and Slim, Without Remorse),
Jessica Henwick (Underwater, Matrix 4)
Stormzy (rapper, Paradigm)
Zawe Ashton (Betrayal, Velvet Buzzsaw),
Sheila Atim (Twelfth Night, Sulphur and White)
Dean-Charles Chapman (1917, The King)
Chance Perdomo ( The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina)
Honor Swinton Byrne (Souvenir Part I and Part II)
Laura Solon (writer, Let it Snow, Back to Life)
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (For Life, Candyman)
“The Newport Beach Film Festival is proud to recognize such outstanding U.K talent at our 6th annual honors event. For over two decades, the Festival has placed a spotlight on amazing performances from across the United Kingdom. We are excited to continue our incredible partnership with Visit Newport Beach and Variety with this very special evening celebrating the best of British talent. We look forward to honoring these exceptional artists in London and at the Festival in April.”
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