The THREAD Show San Diego came to the Wonderhaus downtown on on Dec. 4 and 5, combining fashion, art and music. Designers and emerging artists set up booths selling many one of a kind and discounted items perfect for holiday shopping. In addition to the hub-bub of the shoppers, there were many other cool things going on: entertainment by rotating DJs, live art, a clothing exchange, special drinks, hair and make-up by A Style Concierge and silk screening. Gordana Gehlhausen from Project Runway 6 hosted the four Runway Shows during the weekend. Gordana’s Collection was at 1 p.m. each day, and at 3 p.m. there was a collection of vendors from the show. This is always one of the most anticipated parts of the show and is well attended. Some of my favorite booths at the event were Gordana’s beautiful creations, gorgeous crocheted gold and silver wire by Miriam Jewels, and an array of many environmentally friendly products. The most unique was Unnur who specializes in sea-leather. This included stunning leather handbags made from Icelandic salmon and African perch. For a truly unique experience and fun shopping time, stay tuned for the next curated Indie Design and Fashion THREAD Show that is scheduled for April. For more information visit www.threadshow.com. Chargers strike downtown Westfield Horton Plaza hosted a fashion show on Black Friday to bring more shoppers to the mall. The location was on the sidewalk outside the Levi Store on the street level. A huge crowd gathered around the runway and all the excitement began when the Chargers Girls came out dancing to upbeat music. These high-energy girls wowed the audience with their slick routines. Next came the fashion show highlighting mall retailers. Gretchen Productions produced this entertaining holiday show. The models came down the runway showcasing Fall/Winter styles and trends. This show started the festivities to celebrate the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary. The celebration continued after the fashion show with a San Diego Chargers block party in the Gaslamp Quarter featuring music, celebrities and player appearances for the fans. Dressed to the Nth Degree The Second Annual Premier Event Dressed to the Nth Degree was presented by Mercy Hospital Auxiliary at the Spreckels Theatre on Nov. 13. Brigadier General Mike Neil was honorary chair, Sally B. Thornton was founding honorary chair, and Linda Masters was chair. Bill Menish was MC of the live auction. The “Style Guy” Leonard Simpson presented a Fashion Extravaganza featuring local designers. This stunning show encapsulated 14 scenes leading up to the finale with designs by Jose Maria Ybarra. The models came out onto the stage and then down the stairs into the aisle on each side of the audience. This was a unique way of highlighting all the creations. After this stunning show. Simpson presented his 2009 San Diego’s Best-Dressed Awards. The 10 Best Dressed Women were: Laura Applegate, Tanya Brandes, Rita JoAnne Garcia-Szczotka, Jennifer Greenfield, Denise Hug, Roxi Link, Tiffany A. Mahoney, Sandy Redman, Pam Slater-Price and Susan Lucas Spanos. The 10 Best Dressed Men were: Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr., Todd Gloria, Jim Lennox, Jim J. Mahoney, Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell, James F. Mulvaney, John H. Parrish, Onofrio Pecoraro, Billy Ray Smith and Richard Woltman. Proceeds from the evening go to the Scripps Cancer Center at Scripps Mercy Hospital and were matched by Richard and Kaye Woltman through their $1 million challenge grant to support the expansion plans. Upcoming shows • Upcoming fashion events in San Diego this month include two bridal shows in January. The first is “Festival of Brides” at The Grand in Del Mar, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 with pre-registration at www.FestivalOfBrides.com. For more info call (310) 577-7788. • There will be a Bridal Bazaar at the San Diego Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center will host the 35th winter expo named San Diego’s “Best Bridal Show.” There will be four fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions and wedding professionals will set up booths with information on having the perfect wedding. Tickets are $10 at the door or visit www.BridalBazaar.com. For information call: (760) 334-5500. • Additional upcoming events will be M.Dot presenting a “Futuristic Safari Fashion Show SSC 2010” by designer/seamstress Michelle Quino. Maeve Riley and the Basement Boutique will sponsor this event which will be where M.Dot Designs can be purchased. The show will be Saturday, Jan. 28, 9 p.m. in the Voyeur Nightclub located at 755 5th Ave. For more information visit: www.mdotdesign-studio.blogspot.com. • Friday, Feb. 12, will be “Hearts United” at the W Hotel San Diego from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will be presented by United Way and “Style Guy” Leonard Simpson, and will include a runway show, silent auction, hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres by the W San Diego. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at uwsd.org. Diana Cavagnaro is a Nationally recognized hat designer and milliner. She has operated a fashion business for 27 years, the last 17 years in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Diana has taught in the Fashion Department at San Diego Mesa College for 17 years. She is an active member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, The American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International. aheadproductions.com