By Diana Cavagnaro
Back to the basics
Exhibit Ambush presented “Back to the Basics” on March 7 at the Women’s Museum of California in Liberty Station.
Organizer Antoinette Ransom was on hand to greet all the guests. Fashion designers for this pop-up event used nonconventional or recycled materials to create their collection, which were displayed on mannequins.
Carolina Hernandez of Veteran Couture made an intricate collection from Pennysaver newspapers. Each one meticulously folded to create an amazing look. Alaina Rose Lee opted to make one design from 40-year-old potato sacks. The other creation was made with frozen orange juice lids, mesh from the sacks that tangerines come in, bath luffahs, and shredded paper.
Jacqueline H.A. Bunting was the third designer who created a collection using a variety of seeds, including green lentils, red lentils, French lentils, crushed corn, and Beluga caviar with each dress weighing about 3 to 5 pounds. All the creations were very impressive.
The majority of the proceeds were donated to Hidden Treasure Foundation, which helps victims of sex slavery and human trafficking in San Diego. For more information visit: hiddentreasuresfoundation.org. Exhibit Ambush will have four or five more pop-up events throughout the year ending with a finale at the Port Pavillon. To follow these events visit ambushevents.com.
Fashion Redux! 2015
San Diego History Center and the fashion program at San Diego Mesa College presented the fourth annual Fashion Redux! finale party on Friday, March 6. Guests enjoyed the historic ambience of viewing then and now fashions, music, and mingling. This year, historic garments were designed from the time period of 1915 in keeping with the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. Four inspirational pieces were chosen from the San Diego History Center archives, and students used these as their starting point for design.
The fashion designers welcomed the guests while their designs were modeled throughout the event. The first place winner was Stephanie Castro, second place was Yan Yin, and third place was Serenite Sao. An honorable mention went to Obed Aquino.
Attendees were given a chance to cast their vote in the special ‘People’s Choice’ award which was given to Stephanie Castro. The party culminated with an illustrated fashion lecture by Mesa fashion professor Susan Lazear. For more information about the San Diego History Center, call 619-232-6203, ext. 129.
Experience Fashion Night
Experience Fashion Night was held at an unexpected venue on Feb. 28, at Dragonfly Auto Shop on Pacific Highway. The inside looked like a converted warehouse with various artwork on the walls. Guests arrived dressed to impress. Booths were set up for shopping and a dessert truck with yummy treats was on hand for everyone. Highlighted designers were Oseas Villatoro & WishNow, whose creations came down the catwalk in the center of the shop. WishNow featured hair and makeup artist, Michael Harris.
Though Oseas Villatoro is both a women’s and men’s ready-to-wear designer, he chose to show his edgy women’s collection on the runway. Many of the designs featured black and white stripes with brilliant colors interspersed in between and were accented with bold jewelry and belts.
WishNow is an imaginative brand created by Victoria Roberts. The collection is perfect for date night, parties, prom nights, or even bridal. Each one of these fantasy creations is a piece of wearable art that puts a smile on your face.
Both Villatoro and Roberts are alumni from Fashion Week San Diego, and Allison Andrews, CEO of FWSD, was a special guest at the event.
Body by Blo
Body by Blo is a new blow dry bar. At this salon there are no haircuts or color but it is a great place to come for blow outs, makeup and brows. They also have a nail service using Morgan Taylor polish. March 20 was the grand opening and owner Laura Alexon was busy greeting all the guests. The 50-location franchise is the concept of Gwyneth Paltrow and hairstylist David Babaii. Blo Gaslamp is located at 435 Island Ave. bodybyblo.com. Email them at [email protected].
Upcoming events
April 10 | Viper — This bikini fashion show and charity event will feature NOIA resort wear summer-spring 2015-16 on the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave., in the Gaslamp. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Arts Foundation. 7 – 9 p.m. For tickets visit sandiegoarts.org.
April 25 | Sensual Sadness – C Pardo presents the Sensual Sadness fashion and art show at the La Bodega Gallery located at 2196 Logan Ave., in Barrio Logan. 7 – 10:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit sexual abuse prevention charity. Pre-order tickets at C-Pardo.com.
May 8 | Golden Scissors — 33rd annual fashion and awards show held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Dr., at 5:30 p.m. hosted by San Diego Mesa College. Tickets at sdmesagoldenscissors.eventbrite.com.
May 12 | Celebrating Couture — this Globe Guilder’s luncheon and fashion show is presented by Neiman Marcus and features the designer Naeem Khan at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Proceeds benefit The Old Globe. Reservations globeguilders.org/fashionshow.
May 15 | Couture & Cocktails — annual fashion show featuring the Lizz Russell Collection in the Westgate Hotel’s Versailles Ballroom, 6:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the GBS/CIDP Foundation International. Reservations at westgatehotel.tix.com.
—Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned couture milliner based in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.com.
