By Diana Cavagnaro | Downtown News
Racing Into Fashion
Racing into Fashion was a held at the Stingaree on June 29. Retail businesses in the Gaslamp teamed up for an event to promote “Shop Local-Shop Gaslamp.”
This fun and trendy fashion show featured Eden, Bubbles Boutique, and Inga Bezio Salon. Eden boutique has unique, exclusive, and artistic fashions, while Bubbles Boutique carries eclectic fashion for every mood and from up-and-coming designers. Inga Bezio Salon is a full service salon located on Fourth Avenue. They provided the hair and make-up for the show at the Stingaree’s Guesthouse.
The fashion show opened to a full house on the rooftop. The crowd went wild when these contemporary fashions came down the runway. Bright yellow, fuchsia, and cobalt blue colors were popular.
Long dresses with sandals are a big trend along with asymmetrical dresses that have longer hems in the back. Tina Carreras at Style Spies styled all the segments.
The Fashions were accented by jewelry from Ear Candy by Corinne Marie. These Gaslamp stores said they were preparing customers for the much-anticipated Opening Day at the Races. To see these fashions up close visit Eden at 520 5th Avenue and Bubbles Boutique at 226 5th Avenue.
75-Year Anniversary of “Away They Go”
The 75th year of Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club went off on July 18 in a flurry of horses and hats for a record crowd of 47,339. To celebrate the 75th Anniversary, a new face was used for the ad campaign featuring model, actress, and world top jockey Chantal Sutherland.
The campaign chose a fashion photographer to show off the old and new by photographing pinups through the ages. Sutherland did not disappoint her fans and started the day with a victory on the filly California Girl.
Hats are always neck-and-neck in popularity with the horses on Opening Day. There seems to be a split with women between wearing large brim hats and the smaller fascinators.
Carol Bader from the Del Mar Hat Company said that her customers wanted the larger headpieces or the smaller saucer style this year.
Some of the racy highlights were Jenny Craig wearing a chapeau from Fleur de Paris in New Orleans, Valerie Cooper in beautiful Philip Treacy, and Denise Hug and Linda Swortwood in hats from Portugal.
Lena Evans, Evva Fenison, Alexis DelChiaro & Leslie Lopez from KUSI, and Raha Sheik from FOX 5 were all wearing Designer Millinery hats. Emma Zuckerman looked luscious in a yellow Chanel dress and hat by Ilda DiVico and Lee Goldberg was smart in a Zang Toi suit and chapeau by Philip Treacy. Bo Derek looked radiant sporting a fedora, which many men and women opted to wear this year.
The One & Only Truly Fabulous Hat Contest attracted more people to this 18th year edition. Studio Savvy sponsored the contest and this year a new category called, Best Fascinator was added, which went to Stefanie Gates. The other winners were the Funniest/Most Outrageous – Meg Cavis; the Best Racing theme – Lori Shelton,; and Best Flowers – Emilee Wilson.
The Bing Crosby Grand Prize and winner of the Most Glamorous category went to Daniella Lopez. Ms. Lopez received a check for $300, two airline tickets on American Airlines, and a $1,750 pearl necklace from the Diamond Boutique of Del Mar.
The races continue daily, Wednesday through Sunday until September 5th. For more information and post times, visit: delmarracing.com.
Hats & Headdresses
The Mingei Museum is presenting an incredible exhibit on Hats & Headdresses from their Permanent Collection.
These selections make up donations and purchases from the past 34 years. There are a wide variety of cultures and countries from around the world in this exhibition. The hats are used for a variety of reasons, which could be for protection, ornamentation, and some to ward off evil spirits.
Hats & Headdresses can portray status, what ethnic group you belong to, or they can be a fashion statement reflecting the wearer’s personality.
One of standout headdresses is from the Akha people of Thailand. They were originally from Tibet and wear these extraordinary headdresses to distinguish their age, marital status or social group. One of the striking caps from India is made with Turquoise, agate, coral, and brass. Many headdresses from South America were made with incredible macaw, parrot, and toucan feathers and were worn only by men.
Another one of my favorites was a ceremonial Hat from Cameroon made with glass beads, cowry shells, and fiber. A Headdress from the Democratic Republic of the Congo stood out and was made with Kuba cloth, glass beads, wicker, raffia, cowry shells and leather.
Pictures and lecture August 1 and then a fascinator workshop on August 25 because there is such a demand for the Kate Middleton look. This must see exhibit is currently ongoing and will be there through September 9. For more information visit the Mingei at: mingei.org.
Fashion Forward
Don’t miss Hats & Headdresses (see above) from cultures and countries around the world at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, through September 9. For information call: (619) 239-0003.
August 7th – The Globe Guilders & Neiman Marcus present Celebrating Couture 2012 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront featuring Monique Lhuillier’s Fall 2012 Collection. For tickets call Carol Hanson at (619) 229-2090.
August 12th – Summer Bridal Bazaar with three fashion shows presented throughout the day from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center. Call (760) 334-5500.
August 18th – Haute with Heart 35el annual Fashion Show & Luncheon to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center programs at Hilton Bayfront Hotel from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For info: stmsc.org.
August 18th – TRASH the Gala will highlight Eco Couture Fashion from 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. at the New Children’s Museum located at 200 West Island Avenue. Visit: thinkplaycreate.org/gala
Diana Cavagnaro is a Nationally recognized Hat Designer and Milliner. Diana has been operating a Fashion business for 30 years, the last 20 years in Downtown San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter. She has been teaching in the Fashion Department at San Diego Mesa College for 20 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.
