What Do Jennifer Aniston’s Penthouse & A Festival Runway in Laguna Have in Common? Nelson Coates.

This week’s Best of Laguna Beach radio show guest was none other than my dear friend – and Hollywood’s visual maestro – Nelson Coates.


He’s the award-winning production designer behind multiple movies, including Crazy Rich Asians, The Proposal, In the Heights, Flight and the Emmy-award winning series, The Morning Show… but come THIS Sunday, August 10th, from noon to 2 p.m., Nelson is right here in his beloved Laguna Beach emceeing one of our quirkiest, most creative events: the Festival of Arts Recycled Runway Show, which "airs" again this Sunday, Aug. 10th at the Festival grounds. 

We talked trash about the Festival’s Fashion Show this Sunday . . .
We talked trash about the Fashion Show - literally – because ALL of these haute couture outfits are made from “recycled, reclaimed and repurposed” items like soup can labels, bubble wrap and cocktail stir sticks).

And we covered global sets to local soul: Nelson’s Creative Mission
We talked about the latest creative genius in Nelson’s work, including the big numbers of Laguna Beach artists’ work he puts in his blockbuster sets … the “Easter eggs” he hides in every one of his films … a whole new perspective from Nelson on our nationally top-ranked Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD - he’s been helping on that board for years) … and why he’s fiercely committed to keeping Laguna’s artistic colony and charm alive.

Show Notes — What We Covered:

• 🎬 What exactly a production designer does – and why Nelson’s fingerprints are all over your favorite films.
• 👠 A sneak peek at Sunday’s Recycled Runway Show: bubble wrap ballgowns, flapper dresses made of cocktail stirrers, and enough Nelson haute couture puns to fill the FOA grounds and the Pageant amphitheater.
• 🎉 The debut of a new … shall-we-say … “emerging artist” category at the Fashion Show this year … they might just give the competitors a run for their money.
• 🧩 The art of the Nelson Coates Easter Egg in your best loved movies: storefronts, vinyl records, and subtle winks that only superfans and super friends will catch.
• ☕ The now-iconic Armitage Café (yep, that’s ME thanks to Nelson! It’s a bit bigger than an Easter Egg, but who’s counting?) – and why Jennifer Aniston owes me a latte.
• 🖼️ How Laguna Beach artists keep showing up in The Morning Show (and how you might spot your favorite gallery piece next season).
• 🎓 Why LCAD is one of the top 5 art schools in the country – and how it’s already shaping the soul of our town.
• When The Morning Show Season 4 debuts and what to expect this year from its 3-year Production Designer choice, Nelson Coates.