A magical evening The Mingei International Museum rolled out the pink carpet for Zandra Rhodes on Jan. 21. This extravaganza included an evening with a dinner, auction and a New York-style Zandra Rhodes Fashion Show. Many of the guests arrived wearing Zandra Rhodes designs. Unlike many high-fashion designers, these creations are wearable and it was a delight to see the guests in these imaginative garments with their rich palette. Women look like fairy princesses wearing these designs because they exude femininity. Currently, there is an exhibition — “A Lifelong Love Affair with Textiles” — in the Mingei International Museum. The guests viewed the exhibit displaying both Rhodes’ incredible textiles and her garments created from them. It was breathtaking to look around the room at this dynamic designer’s extraordinary use of color. Just as we thought the night couldn’t get any better, the fashion show began and wowed the audience. A magical forest of torn chiffon set the scene. The models arrived wearing original and historic designs from 1969 and 1970 leading up to 1980s. This spectacular show continued up to the present and was a combination of vintage, classic and old, demonstrating the timelessness of Rhodes’ designs. The finale was a sea of pink petals strewn by the models and culminating with a bridal procession. The bride herself, Natasha Reiss, wore her bridal dress down the runway. The evening ended on a perfect note. The exhibition will be on display until April 3. ‘Pretty is?’ “Pretty Is?” is a new concept for a boutique incorporating both buying and borrowing. The owner, Lupe Ahearn, said customers will never have to worry about what to wear again. This store offers memberships and the customer can come in and get decked-out with a complete outfit including shoes, bag and jewelry. Ahearn will style the package for you and Idania Mejia will complete the look with hair and make-up. I asked Ahearn how she came up with this concept and she said, “Women don’t want to worry about wearing the same outfit twice.” This idea is similar to the business Bag Borrow and Steal, although they only exchange accessories, and Pretty Is? sells or exchanges the entire look. The boutique is for women only and has a size range from extra small to extra large. While I was there, Daniela Olachea, a store customer who works downtown, came in for a few new looks. Olachea was looking for an outfit for work, clubbing and the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Ahearn styled her clothes and accessories and Mejia finished the look with make-up and hair. She said upcoming trends are the gray and metallic colors along with knits that are very popular. Floral will be strong for spring. The boutique also offers styling classes in make-up and fashion. Additional classes include lap dancing, pole dancing, strip tease and chair dancing. Discounts are given to all members for the classes. For a fun night, they offer bachelorette parties and burlesque parties. If you would like to change your image “from ordinary to extraordinary,” call Pretty is? at (619) 702-2005. Próximos Eventos Feb. 5: Second annual Pugs n’ Kisses Wine & Cheese Fashion Show Fundraiser at Fido & Co. Canine Country Club in Hillcrest at 2 p.m. www.fidoandcompany.com Feb. 23: Nordstrom’s Spring 2011 Designer Preview Fashion Show & Boutique Shopping at Landmark Aviation on 2904 Pacific Highway at 6 p.m. Event will benefit The New Children’s Museum. For tickets call (619) 795-1723. Feb. 24: Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash at the Culy Warehouse, 338 Seventh Ave. from 5 to 10 p.m. Shoppers must be 21. www.sassycitychicks.com Feb. 25: The third edition of Project Ethos in San Diego at the FLUXX downtown. This is a night of fashion, music and art all under one roof. http://projectethos.com Feb. 27: A Royal Affair presented by the U.S. Grant from noon to 4 p.m. for the 2011 Wedding & Event Showcase. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.usgrant.net/roayal-wedding March 12: Fashion Plates Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Sheraton Harbor Island, 10 a.m., to benefit the San Diego Blood Bank. Trisha Gooch, (858) 527-1419, ext. 29 — 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 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.