Diana Cavagnaro | Downtown News
Fashion With a Passion
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) partnered with Make-A-Wish San Diego for the fifth annual Fashion With a Passion on April 5 on the FIDM campus. This exciting event began with a fashionable silent auction, vendors for fun shopping and the “Ultimate Fine Accessory Swap.”
Guests brought items they no longer wanted and swapped them for some new must-have items to take home. Mini-manicures and make-up stations were set up for an enjoyable day of beauty and fashion.
Denise Baca, campus admissions director at FIDM, was MC for the event. Many fabulous fashion items were raffled off. FIDM graduate Paul Hernandez made an outfit for Make-A-Wish child ambassador Christina Montana. During the presentation, Hernandez presented Montana with a sketch of this new garment.
The day culminated with a fashion show by FIDM graduate and designer Bradon McDonald. McDonald was a graduate of The Juilliard School and then became a dancer for Mark Morris Dance Group. After his dance career he went on to become a final contestant on Project Runway.
This reality show was Season 12 and led to a showing at New York Fashion Week. The theme of his collection for the FIDM event was the Cliffs at Malibu. The models showed off these creative designs and then McDonald thrilled the crowd by talking about his experiences at Project Runway. For more information about FIDM visit fidm.edu.
[Caption] Boutique and Gallery
“[Caption] Boutique and Gallery” carries local and handmade items. Chad Rule built the furniture including old doors from his Victorian house. Located in East Village this new unique store was started by Frenses Perey. After studying in Florence for a year, Perey was inspired to start a boutique where the customer can come in and see the artist working in the workshop. Perey makes awesome leather jewelry such as rings, earrings, and bracelets in addition to beautiful fabric headbands made with Italian wools and upcycled clothes.
A customer came in while I was there and Perey made a bracelet in her workshop while I watched. Additionally she is a talented sketch artist and will do live portraits with your choice of oil, charcoal, or pastel.
This boutique and gallery carries many other local artists. Trendy garments by fashion designer Isa Guadalupe Medina, darling baby clothes by Tami Shreves from Vintage Virtues, artist generalist Lisa Miller, and crochet headwear, scarves, and coffee sleeves by Lana de Ana. Sister’s Picks are an LA Fashion Collection by Eymie Reimer. Additional fun items include fashionable stationery by Sparkle Paw’s, gift items made from old records by DJ Wreck and Renatus Woodworks, and Jamey Hehring makes original furniture from upcycled barn wood that comes from South Dakota.
The Gallery rotates a different artist every month starting with a wine and cheese reception and live music on the first Saturday of each month. Weekly art classes are held in the store. Come and meet the artist or take a class at 495 10th Ave.
Upcoming Events
May 2 – All You Need: Vista Hill Foundation will present a luncheon and fashion show at the Hilton Bayfront, “All You Need is Fashion.” For information call 858-459-1685.
May 3 – Steampunk Fashion: The Gaslight Gathering 4, Gentlemen of Steampunk Fashion Show at the Steam Arena Stage. The Steampunk and Victoriana Convention will be at the Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley from May 2 – 4. For tickets visit gaslightgathering.org.
May 9 – Celebrating Couture: Neiman Marcus and the Globe Guilders present the 2014 Celebrating Couture event, to be held at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel, Downtown. Lunch and the fashion show will present the collection by designer, Naeem Khan. For tickets visit globeguilders.org/fashion-show.
May 15 – Flock Together: The Birds of a Feather luncheon and fashion show produced by Fashion Forward will be at the Hilton Torrey Pines Hotel Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For tickets call Epilepsy Society of San Diego at epilepsysandiego.org.
May 15 – Golden Scissors: The 33rd annual Golden Scissors Awards will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Dr. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., starting with a silent auction and displays, and a show. with a 7:30 p.m. show, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Silent Auction/Displays. Call 619-388-2205.
May 16 – Bikini Fashion Show: Fashion Week SD presents a bikini fashion show at Harrah’s Resort Southern California located at 777 Harrah’s Resort Southern California Way, Valley Center from 7 – 10 p.m. For information visit fashionweeksd.com.
May 24 – IT Fashion: The Art Institute of California, San Diego presents its sixth annual “IT” fashion show at The Headquarters at Seaport District at 8pm. For information call 858-598-1265.
—Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner, and has been in the fashion business for 30 years. The last 20 of those years she’s operated her business from Downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, while moonlighting in the Fashion department at San Diego Mesa College. She can be reached at [email protected].
