Fashion Soirée Pure Fitness was the venue for Fashion Soirée, a cool mixer on March 25. The guests surrounded the pool on the Sky Deck overlooking the beautiful downtown San Diego skyline. Hors d’ oeuvres were served by the Gaslamp restaurant de’Medici and the South Park restaurant Alchemy. San Tropez served yummy desserts. The fashion show began at dusk and continued into the evening. Models strutted their stuff on the catwalk adjacent to the pool. The first local designer was Sylvia Giamanco who showed off her hot VAI Fitness line that is the select attire for the gym. The Little Italy boutique Kapreeza delighted the crowd with its sexy European lingerie and swimwear. The finale was the knockout designs by Francisco Medavog who showcased his “Space Invaders” line. Michael London founded Pure Fitness in 1992. He is a former San Diego Charger and prominent local attorney. Currently, Michael and his wife Anna run four health spas: and Pure Fitness located downtown at 501 W. Broadway. Spring 2010 Designer Preview Nordstrom presented the spring 2010 Designer Preview at the New Children’s Museum on Feb. 24. This sold-out event is a highly-anticipated show every year, featuring an on-site designer boutique previewing spring designs by American and European designers. There was a frenzy of happy shoppers during the cocktail reception. Waters Catering provided hors d’oeuvres and dessert. Violinist Ysanne Spevack and DJ Myson King set the mood with their delightful music. This year the runway was set up as a maze and the audience members were seated in four sections facing different directions. The models came out unexpectedly, keeping everyone guessing. The runway previewed collections from Missoni, Donna Karan, Versace, Dries Van Noten, Jason Wu, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Marni, Emilio Pucci, Lanvin and Oscar de la Renta. Models had eyelashes painted on their eyes reminiscent of the 1960s. Some of the trends were strapless and one-shoulder dresses, multi floral prints, transparent fabrics and all shades of the color blue. Marni created a new trend wearing the sockette with designer heels or flats. One of my favorite parts of the show was watching the designer shoes as the models come out wearing Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Yves Saint Laurent footwear. This show raised more than $65,000 for The New Children’s Museum which opened its doors in 2008. Runway at the Park Runway at the Park was a high-energy fashion show at the Park Manor Suites Hotel on March 13. The catwalk was set up with a long runway that had parallel seating on both sides. Featured designers were Gordana (GOGA) Gehlhausen, Betsy Johnson and Tracey Jean. GOGA was recently one of the top four contestants on Project Runway 6. Betsy Johnson is world-renowned for her designs and Tracey Jean is a new emerging designer on the scene. A Style Concierge designed the cutting edge make-up and hair, transforming the models into tres chic models. Additional participants were Cecilia Boutique, a Mission Hills Boutique, and custom swimwear from ABBL and accessories from La Chica Chic. Gretchen Productions produced this high-fashion event. A Splash of Fashion Soroptimist International of San Diego presented “A Splash of Fashion” at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on March 20. This 38th annual event combined a shopping boutique, a “One Plate Concept” luncheon and a colorful fashion show all around the theme of water. Rory Devine was emcee for the afternoon and presented the the Soroptimist Ruby Award’s: For Women Helping Women. These inspirational honorees were: Dilkhwaz Ahmed, executive director for License to Freedom; Teri Burg, executive director of Stand Up for Kids; Margaret Eilerman, supervisor for a residence for single pregnant women; Susie Faber, Stylish Noggins for hair loss; and Cyndi Jones, of Mainstream, a magazine that is the voice for people with disabilities. Macy’s provided fashions for this fun show. Gretchen Productions choreographed the runway with an entertaining afternoon that gave the audience a splash of fashion, singing and dancing. Soroptimist International of San Diego has been making a difference in women and girls’ lives since 1931 in San Diego, making it the oldest service club for women here. Próximos Eventos April 9 —?Vista Hill Foundation’s annual boutique, luncheon and fashion show Viva La Moda at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. A fashion show featuring styles from a variety of upscale San Diego boutiques. For information contact: Vista Hill Foundation, (858) 514-5153 April 11 — Thread Show (curated indie design and fashion) at Horton Event Space, Fourth and Broadway, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information visit www.threadshow.com April 22 — San Diego Air & Space Museum and Leonard Simpson present Fashion Takes Flight at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. For information call (619) 234-8291 Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally-recognized hat designer and milliner. She has operated a fashion business for 28 years, the last 18 years in the downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Diana has taught 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 Fashion Group International. www.aheadproductions.com