Ocean magazine hosted a bash at the W Hotel Downtown on Thursday, March 12, to celebrate the publication’s 4-year anniversary. The first hour was a social hour, with a capacity crowd sipping on mojitos as the patrons waited for the fashion show, featuring the latest spring wear. The stage was set with the guests downstairs on the first floor looking up to the corridor on the second level, which was turned into the runway for the night. Ocean is a nationwide publication headquartered in Corona del Mar featuring the scoop to fashion-forward women. The magazine’s spring edition features model Kim Kardashian on the cover. The fashion show kept coming in waves of trendy new fashions down the runway, starting with Jet Set models in sexy bathing suits by Sauvage and Beach Bunny. Designer PetraO was on hand with her latest hand-painted designs. Participating retailers included Capricorn Boutique and Christie’s Boutique. Chic accessories from Stephanie’s Shoes, San Diego Hat Co. and Something Silver accentuated the collections. For more information about this trendsetting magazine, visit oceanmagazine.com. Fashion for a Cause The W Hotel’s rooftop was the scene for Fashion for a Cause charity event on Thursday, March 5, presented by La Chica Chic and Fashion Careers College (FCC). Everyone in the crowd was carrying a shoebox with a gift to donate — guests were asked to bring a pair of children’s or youth footwear in its original packaging to benefit the nonprofit organization Shoes for the Soul. Boutique shopping was set up with Cristiane Valdez’s delightful shoes and purses from her business, La Chica Chic. Tammy Neihart was on hand with stylish designs from Azzaria Boutique. Coastal EyeWear showed off its latest chic sunglasses. Leonard Simpson, KUSI Style Guy and owner of Fashion Forward, kicked off the evening events by introducing Pat O’Connor, FCC founder/CEO, and Karen Morrissey of Shoes for the Soul. La Chica Chic and Azzaria Boutique presented their spring collection in the fashion show, which featured a long green bench as the catwalk. The runway for the second half of the fashion show was marked by the sand on the W’s famous “beach” on the rooftop. The last segment showcased designers from FCC and included a fashion competition. The guests voted for their favorite designer, and the winners were the team of Jose Maria Ybarra and Jesus Estrada, who created the winning dress. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 1.5 million children in the United States go to sleep without a home at least one night of the year. Shoes for the Soul collects and distributes new shoes to disadvantage children. For more information, please visit shoesforthesoul.org. For your information… Saturday, April 4: Soroptimist International of San Diego Up, Up and Away annual luncheon, awards ceremony and fashion show presented by Gretchen Productions at the San Diego Marriott. For info, (858) 277-2988. Sunday, April 26: Spring Bridal Bazaar with fashion show presented by Gretchen Productions at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Three shows presented throughout the day. For info, (760) 334-5500. Wednesday, April 29: Vista Hill Foundation annual boutique, luncheon and fashion show presented at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Fashion show presented by Gretchen Productions featuring styles from a variety of upscale San Diego boutiques. For info, (858) 514-5153. Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner. Diana has been operating a fashion business for 27 years, the last 17 years in Downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. She has been teaching in the fashion department at San Diego Mesa College for 17 years. Diana is an active member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, the American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International. For more on Diana, please visit aheadproductions.com.
