DREAM?STYLE The Bridal Bazaar presented “Dream Style” Jan. 29 at the San Diego Convention Center, a showcase of style for a dream wedding. Guests were greeted by the sounds of Classic Brass and potential brides and grooms were offered ideas from 320 wedding professionals showcasing their wares. The event, voted “San Diego’s Best Bridal Show,” featured three fashion shows with all the latest trends in wedding apparel. Singers and dancers, including a couple from Champion Ballroom Dance Studio, joined models on the runway and Mary Murphy from Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” was on hand to sign autographs. A featured upcoming trend was bridal gowns in blush and pink shades, including a standout pink floral-print taffeta gown from the Vera Wang Collection, sold exclusively at David’s Bridal. PreVue Formal & Bridal presented a beaded gown that got a wild response from the audience, but the biggest crowd pleasers were the flower girls and ring bearers. Veils and headpieces from The Feathered Head and men’s fashions from Bridal & Tuxedo Galleria, Friar Tux Shop and The Men’s Wearhouse also got a chance in the spotlight. Other trends included two-tiered skirts and electrifying colors. Christina’s showed many of these vibrant gowns in red, burgundy, cobalt blue and teal. The store features gowns for second-time brides, mothers of the bride and party dresses. Henkaa, a Canadian-based company showed off its convertible bridesmaid dresses. “Henkaa,” which means “change” in Japanese, demonstrated the versatility of its dresses and how they can be worn in a variety of ways. The finale, during which models carried gold balls holding prizes that they threw into the audience, featured Brides By Demetrios. The Spring Bridal Bazaar will be held April 29 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. For information, visit www.bridalbazaar.com. INSIDE THE COSTUME CLOSET The San Diego History Center and The Costume Council in Balboa Park had a fabulous afternoon that began with the unveiling of a mini exhibit in the museum’s atrium featuring unique pieces from Betty Mabee’s closet. Mabee, who owned the Golden Eagle Farm (which bred champion thoroughbred racehorses) was well known for her charitable work, including her work with Voices of Children, Angels of Aseltine Auxiliary, Gold Diggers and the San Diego History Center’s Costume Council. Two of Ma- bee’s Adolfo suits are on display at the center. Edward Maeder, former Los Angeles County Museum of Art curator, has named the San Diego History Center one of the 10 best collections in the country. On Jan. 31, guests had a rare opportunity for an exclusive tour into the costume collection archives. The extensive collection houses more than 7,000 items. Guests were first shown the oldest piece — a pair of beautiful shoes from 1770. Another exceptional piece was a hand-woven cape worn by Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant (Julia Dent Grant). It took two years to weave in 1840 and was cut and made into a shorter cape in about 1870. Guests were also shown two ball gowns with intricate beading — one designed in about 1895 by Paris haute couture designer Jacques Douchet, owner of the major Paris courtier house, House of Douchet. Mrs. Oliver J. Stough wore the other gown to the opening of the Hotel Del Coronado in 1888. The tour finished with a Bloomer outfit from the Marston Family from 1845-1860. The next event for The Costume Council will be a coach trip to Beverly Hills on March 14 to see the exhibit ll Teatro alla MODA: Theatre in Fashion, which will display Italian haute couture stage costume designers. For more information, email [email protected]. UPCOMING EVENTS Feb. 16 — Fashion Plates, 10:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, luncheon and fashion show presented by Leonard Simpson, benefits the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, (858) 863-5121 Feb. 22 — 2012 SPRING Xposure, 6 to 9 p.m., Morgan Run Club and Resort, 5690 Cancha de Golf, presented by FINE Magazine to benefit San Diego Police Historical Association, (760) 634-2103 Feb. 23 — Nordstrom Designer Preview, 6 p.m., Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, fashion show starts at 7 p.m., (858) 427-1112 Feb. 23 — Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash, 5 to 10 p.m., Westfield Horton Plaza, 324 Horton Plaza, 21-and-up, www.sassycitychicks.com March 4 — LOVE, etc. Wedding Showcase, noon to 4 p.m., US Grant Hotel 326 Broadway, features M Bride Couture wedding gowns with a portion of proceeds going to the American Heart Association, $20, www.USGrant.Net/Love March 16 — 12th annual Go Red For Women, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 1 Park Blvd., luncheon and fashion show to benefit the American Heart Association, (858) 410-3834. — Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner. She has been operating a fashion business for 30 years. She has been teaching in the fashion department at San Diego Mesa College for 20 years and is an active member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, The American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International.