Fashion takes flight Leonard Simpson (The Style Guy) and the San Diego Air & Space Museum presented Fashion Takes Flight on April 22. Heather Moore, KUSI-TV evening anchor, was mistress of ceremonies and Sally B. Thornton was honorary chair. The crowd sipped on signature cocktails amidst the backdrop of the surrounding airplanes. The historic aircraft gave a remarkable ambience to the event. The runway for the fashion show was around the magnificent water fountain. Featured designers for the evening were Fuegorosa by Olga Sanchez and Q Haute Couture by Qadir Hamidi. The finale was an ethereal scene showing off Jose Maria’s designs. The models came through a cloud of fog to the eager audience, surprising everyone. Proceeds from the evening went to the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s educational programs. For more information visit: www.sandiegoairandspace.org.?Golden Scissors Awards San Diego Mesa College hosted the 29th annual Golden Scissors Awards at the Gaslamp Horton Westin on May 8. The evening began with a cocktail reception and a silent auction that had fun fashionable items. The entire fashion show is produced by students at the San Diego Mesa College Fashion Program under the direction of professor Andrea Marx and professor Susan Lazear. Marx and Lazear welcomed everyone and got the festivities started. The theme for the evening was “Graffiti & Lace” with vignettes in each scene on the runway. The guest designers were Katya Pshechenko, visiting from the Ukraine, and alumni designer Kathleen Argerake. Pshechenko excels in clothing with beautiful textures and embellishments and Argerake has created a clever bag collection made from mostly recycled materials. The fashion show concluded with collections from the students. Keith Bonar won first place for his menswear collection. The Best Award for continuing excellence went to Osbaldo Ahumado Kari Lam. The Rising Star Award went to Chris Arreguin. The remainder of first place prizes went to: Erica Derby (Millinery), Vana Twohey (Weekend Wear), Laura Borneman (Day Wear), Chris Aherns (Special Occasion), Rachel Flemens (Club Wear), Voshel (Evening Wear), Clara Allen (Retro-Redo) and Rachel Flemens (Fantasy). For Collection, the Best Workmanship went to Megan Cost and the Most Creative went to Michelle D’Alessandro. The Butterfly Effect The Butterfly Effect was at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park on May 19. The event started out with an installation featuring Tracy Graham of The House of Truman and Grace, and couture millinery by Designer Millinery combined with jewelry by Miriam Jewels and Swiss Watch Gallery. The fashionable attire was modeled on illuminated cubes during the cocktail reception. Jai Rodriquez (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) was master of ceremonies for the evening. The fashion show began showing the fall 2010 collections of local designers Jose Maria Designs and Jeffrey Parrish of Lago Designs. The evening culminated with “Project Runway Season 6” designer Christopher Straub and “Season 7” designer and top 3 finalist Mila Hermanoski. Brandise Danesewich (“Models of the Runway”) was a featured model on the catwalk. Proceeds went to Jenna Druck Foundation which helps the Young Women’s Leadership Program. The festivities continued the next night, May 20, with the Fashionista Trunk Show at the “W” Hotel at the Beach. Lee Coulter added tunes for the evening. Designers from the previous evening took part in the trunk show along with other local designers. For more information about the Jenna Druck Foundation visit Jennadruck.org Through the Looking Glass The GOLD Diggers (Gifts of Loving Donors) presented the 17th annual Hats Off to San Diego on May 20 at The Prado in Balboa Park. Pat Launer (Emmy Award winner) was mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon. Nine separate non-profit organizations made creative hats using the theme Through the Looking Glass. All the groups paraded across the stage showing off their theme-based headwear. These non-profits were vying for prize money for each of their organizations and the audience voted for their favorite hats. The Star of India won first place and Best Themed Hat; Angels of Aseltine took second place and North Coast Repertory Theatre took third place. Proceeds were given to the San Diego Food Bank and the Angel’s Depot. The San Diego Floral Association was the Wild Card winner. The GOLD Diggers is a non-profit organization that meets special needs of children and their caregivers, the elderly, crime victims and others. For more information visit: golddiggerssandiego.org Upcoming events • June 4 — “It” Spring 2010 Fashion Show presented by the Art Institute of California, San Diego with fashion show themed “Urban Garden” presented by Gretchen Productions at the Convention Center. For more information contact Jaye Brown, (858) 598-1333. • June 5 — Leonard Simpson presents “A Sea of Glamour and Style” at the Atoll House in La Jolla Farms at 6 p.m. Entertainment by Sacha Boutros. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Blood Bank. For more information call (619) 400-8176. • Now through June 5 — San Diego Spirits Festival features charity parties with fashion shows: Today, June 3 at the SE Siren Pool Bar with Cecilia Boutique and Alwayz In; June 4 at the Ivy/Andaz Rooftop Bar with Sexy Contour by Lina; June 5 at the Sway Nightclub — Closing Night Party.?• July 9 — Lizz Russell Fashion Tea at the Westgate Hotel at 2:30 p.m. Tea modeling will feature Lizz Russell’s signature collection. For information call (619) 557-3655. Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally-recognized hat designer and milliner. She has been operating a fashion business for 28 years, the last 18 years in the Gaslamp Quarter. Diana has been teaching in the Fashion Department at San Diego Mesa College for 18 years. She is an active member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, the American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International. www.aheadproductions.com