By Diana Cavagnaro
Taking it to the sky
A fashion show and luncheon was held at the US Grant Hotel on March 2. The event began with a Champagne social hour and boutique shopping. Guests arrived in all shades of blue, in keeping with the theme, The Sky’s The Limit. Co-chairs were Kristi Pieper, Jacqueline Foster, Bib Herrmann, and the social chair was Margo Schwab and mistress of ceremonies Kelly Embry got the festivities started. One of the big moments of the afternoon was bringing the Spanos Family and San Diego Chargers to the stage for the Light of Hope Award.
Known for his couture fashion and theatrical runway shows, the fashion show was presented by Leonard Simpson. Some of the highlights of this amazing show were the designs from Puey Quinones, Alan Baker and Erika Sky. This terrific event benefitted the Epilepsy Foundation San Diego. They offer free programs and services to children, families, and individuals in San Diego. More than three million Americans have had to deal with epilepsy and today many are affected with reoccurring seizures and brain disturbances. For more information, visit EpilepsySanDiego.org.
Fashion Redux 2016
The fifth annual Fashion Redux! finale party was presented by San Diego History Center and San Diego Mesa College on March 4 and took place at the History Center in Balboa Park. Models showed off the top four Mesa College finalists. This year the students went to the History Center to view garments from the 1890s and then designed outfits inspired by the Gilded Age era. Winners were First Place, Lina Mills; Second Place, Nada Zein; and Third Place, Megan Sheffield.
Attendees were also asked to vote for their favorite design and this year’s People’s Choice Award went to Cherry Duong. I asked Lina Mills how it felt to be the winner. “It feels really amazing to be recognized for my hard work and I am looking forward to new challenges that hopefully will lead to an internship soon,” she said.
This stylish evening finished with an illustrated fashion lecture of the 1890s by Professor Susan Lazear, which included the Art Nouveau movement, the Suffragette movement and an introduction into sports for women. These all influenced fashion in the last decade of the Victorian era. More women were working, especially with the invention of the typewriter. For more information, visit sandiegohistory.org or the fashion department at sdmesa.edu.
Fitness with finesse
Vai Fitness presented a fashion show on March 14 at Procopio Towers, Downtown. Sylvia Giamanco — a fitness instructor, professional triathlete, and designer of workout clothes — is the owner of Vai Fitness, which is located in East Village. Giamanco used clients as models for the fashion show to demonstrate how fabulous her workout clothes look on different shapes and sizes.
As the guests arrived, they had a great time visiting the many sponsors who set up booths, including the Meal Prep Company, Nutrimart, the FitLab and yummy pizza from City Pizzeria. Gregg Measom styled the ladies, Damien Lincourt coordinated them and MadeWEL was spinning tunes for this fast-paced fashion show. Each outfit that came out was better than the last one.
The bottom line is why not look terrific while you are working out?
The event benefitted the Burn Institute, which provides programs and services throughout the year. They help children and adults cope with the psychological and physical effects of their injuries. For more information visit BurnInstitute.org.
Upcoming events
April 9 | Fashion with a passion — this fashion show is presented by FIDM and a vendor village for fashion, spa and beauty finds. FIDM students will demonstrate draping techniques and there will be opportunity for the ultimate swap. The event will be at FIDM from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For tickets, visit fashionwithapassion.org.
May 5 | Classical Hairstyles: Identity, Society and Fashion — Presented by Katherine A. Schwab, Ph.D., professor of Art History at Fairfield University, this fashion show will be held at the Timken Museum of Art in Balboa Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit timkenmuseum.org.
May 6 | 35th annual Golden Scissor Fashion Show and Awards — Presented by fashion program students at San Diego Mesa College and held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, visit sdmesafoundation.yapsody.com/event/index/30783/san-diego-mesa-fashion-show.
May 7 | Bazaar Under the Stars — Meet individual artists in an open-air market setting, including international icon Zandra Rhodes and enjoy cultural cuisine from San Diego’s own Claudia Sandoval, season six winner of Fox TV’s “MasterChef.” The event will be held at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park from 6 –10 p.m. For tickets, visit mingei.org.
May 7 | Art of Fashion presents Costume & Culture — at the Timken Museum of Art in Balboa Park and David C. Copley Center for Costume Design. The event will begin with a VIP preview at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit: www.timkenmuseum.org
—Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned couture milliner based in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.com.
