Holiday Thread Show The Thread Show presented holiday shopping at the Horton Event Space on Nov. 28. This holiday experience included cocktails, music, art, a clothes swap and two runway shows. Shoppers were bustling from vendor to vendor with fantastic bargains, one-of-a-kind gifts and designer items. Fashionistas had a fun-filled day with this alternative to shopping in a mall. Some of the stand-outs were Menk Clothing, which featured contemporary jackets that were military-inspired, Micha Jewelry with recycled items, BritBoy Fashions with trendy fashions, Chi Stylezs by JiMothy with cool recycled leather handbags and AV Vintage with an incredible array of designer labels. The highlight of the day is always the fashion show with its upbeat styles. For more information on upcoming Thread shows visit www. threadshow.com. Fashion and Style Show The Modeling Training Center presented its second anniversary Gala & Fashion Expo on Dec. 4 at the Horton Plaza Event Space. The evening began with a social hour and cocktails that led up to the Fashion and Style Show. The runway showcased local and international designers, and the designs ranged from eveningwear to menswear to children’s. Some of my favorites were Olga Sanchez with her colorful Spanish-influenced collection, Tracy Graham’s sophisticated designs and the all white collection of Jose Maria. This dramatic segment elicited oohs and aahs from the audience as it came down the runway. The Modeling Training Center opened in Hillcrest in 2008, gives hands-on education for models and includes additional classes in photography, acting and make-up and hair. For more information visit: www.modeltrainingcenter.com Dressed to the Nth Degree Dressed to the Nth Degree was held at the Westgate Hotel on Dec. 14, presenting the 2010 Best Dressed Awards and Fashion Show by Fashion Forward. Fashionistas arrived to a lavish social hour sipping on champagne and eating petit fours. Chair for the event was Linda Master and honorary chairs were Denise and Bertrand Hug. This well-dressed crowd adjourned to the Versailles Room for the awards ceremony. Amanda Baker from ABC’s “All My Children” was the emcee for the night. The 2010 Best Dressed Women were: Jeanne Jones, Phyllis Parrish, Joni Alpert, Deni Jacobs, Joye Blount, Patsy Marino, Mary Drake, Melissa Falk, Reena Horowitz and Renee Schatz. The Best Dressed Men were Craig Grosvenor, David Marino, Dr. Elliot Alpert, Fred Applegate, J. Mark Grosvenor, Joe Harper, Kelly Mikules, Ndubisi Ezeolu, Ramin Pourteymour and Sean Daneshmand. A Lifetime Award was given to Designer Nolan Miller who is best known for his terrific designs on the 1980s TV show “Dynasty.” Awardee Phyllis Parrish was unable to attend the event but her gown, designed by Miller, was displayed on the stage for all to see. Sally B. Thornton came up to the podium for a special presentation and gave a generous donation from the John M. and Sally B. Thornton Foundation to seven charities including St Madeleine Sophie’s Center, United Way, Center for Children, Arc of San Diego, Big Brother-Big Sisters, San Diego Food Bank and San Diego Rotary. These charities were also beneficiaries of the evening’s silent auction. The evening culminated downstairs in the main lobby with Leonard Simpson’s Fashion Show. Models came down the beautifully-crafted staircase to the awaiting audience. Designer Pilar Macchione began the show with a dramatic all-black collection surrounded in a mist of fog. Some of my favorite segments were the one-of-a-kind knits by Karise Designs, Furs By Graf worn by bare-chested men in gold tights and a colorful collection with a Spanish flair by Olga Sanchez. The finale showcased Sisa Designs. Simone Rodriques, who flew in from New York for this show, designed this elegant collection — Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally-recognized hat designer and milliner. Diana has operated a fashion business for 28 years, the last 18 years in the Gaslamp Quarter. She has been teaching in the Fashion Department at San Diego Mesa College for 18 years. Diana is a member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, the American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International.