The Gold Diggers (Gift of Loving Donors) presented its 16th annual Hats Off to San Diego on May 21 at The Prado in Balboa Park. The event started with a champagne social and silent auction that included a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings from the Diamond Boutique. President Julie Sarno presented the Gold Digger of the Year Award to Jean Rodin for her dedicated work. Emmy Award-winning theater critic Pat Launer (creator of the Patte Awards) was master of ceremonies. The parade of hats began during the luncheon. Ten different nonprofit organizations designed hats to reflect this year’s theme: Balboa Park Then & Now. Each attendee voted for his or her favorite hat. The Star of India Auxiliary won first place ($2,000) and best theme ($500). Angels of Aseltine Auxiliary won second place ($1,000), and North Coast Repertory Theatre won third place ($750). Every year, the Gold Diggers choose new beneficiaries. This year, proceeds went to Meals on Wheels and The Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA). Meals on Wheels brings meals to seniors and gives them contact with a loving volunteer. For more information about Gold Diggers, visit gold ­diggerssandiego.org. Liquid Runway spills onto Hard Rock floor San Diego’s IT Fashion Show 2009, Liquid Runway, was presented by the Art Institute of California, Westfield UTC and Channel 933. This gala was held at the Hard Rock Hotel Downtown on May 30 and began with a VIP reception. Jeremy Scott was on hand to greet the guests and serve as a celebrity judge for the student designs. He had been a contestant on the project’s fifth season and graciously donated one of his creations for the silent auction at the VIP reception. President Liz Erickson and director Sheena Gao began the celebration for this inaugural graduating class. This high-energy, fast-paced show was divided into four segments: sportswear, swimwear, avant garde and eveningwear. The show was produced by Tanya McAnear’s Badmadge Productions and was packed with nonstop entertainment. Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to City of Hope’s Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer and the EDMC Education Foundation. For information on the Art Institute, please visit artinstitutes.edu/sandiego. Eco-friendly apparel marks The Thread Show The Thread Show was held May 30 and 31 at the old Wonder Bread Bakery, featuring fashion, music and art. The vendors came from L.A., Texas and as far as London. They set up tables to sell their one-of-a-kind items at wholesale or bargain prices. The venue was packed with bustling shoppers looking for fabulous designs at discounted prices. A stage was set up outside, and indie rock bands performed between two cutting-edge fashion shows presented each day. This year, they included a clothes swap. Participants would bring ten items and could pick five to take home. One section was set up to showcase talented artists. There were many eco-friendly clothes at this show from boutiques such as Mythology, Global Ghetto Organics and Earth Friendly Apparel (green apparel is a huge trend). The show included a section by “tend,” with botanicals in glass globes that appeared to float in midair. These were a big success and one of my favorites. For more information, visit threadshow.com. For your information… Through Sept. 6, Avedon Fashion Photography at the San Diego Museum of Art. For info, call (619) 696-1941. Sunday, July 19th, Summer Bridal Bazaar with three fashion shows at the San Diego Convention Center. For information, call (760) 334-5500. Thursday July 21, Celebrating Couture luncheon and fashion show, featuring Naeem Khan, presented by Neiman Marcus and the Globe Guilders. For information, call Jill Holmes (619) 231-2508. Wednesday, July 29, FGI mixer at Karen Mullen in Fashion Valley. Champagne meet-and-greet. Raffle with fashion prizes to benefit scholarships for fashion students. RSVP at (619) 952-4558. August 22, St. Sophie’s Haute with a Heart fashion show by Madeline Sophie’s Center at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. For more information, see stmsc.org/events. Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner. Diana has been operating a fashion business for 27 years, the last 17 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. www.ahead productions.com.