The La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival (LJIFF) is gearing up for its eighth year starting on July 20 to 22. In the past, this annual event has been held at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCASD). Since it is under renovation and expansion for the next two years, the festival will be moving to a new location at the Mandeville Auditorium. Attendance has accelerated each year and the festival producer, Fred Sweet, said they already have 1,300 reservations on the books.
Although this event is by invitation only, there will be many free events and opportunities where La Jollans can come and be part of in this global community. One, in particular, is the red carpet event, which is held in the late afternoon and evening on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22. This provides a chance to come and see all the stars and celebrities make their grand entrance. In the past, some of the celebrities have included Sue Wong, Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, Zandra Rhodes, and Bruno Aveilaan.
Another opportunity for the community involves the after parties on Friday and Saturday night between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. These parties will be hosted at The Lot, a fitting locale for these ultra-chic gatherings. The Lot is open to the public, so this is a great chance to come and mix and mingle with everyone. You will be able to see actors and actresses in their costumes from the films and meet the filmmakers who have come here from all around the world.
On Saturday afternoon, there will be a no-pass matinee for public attendance. This is unique way to view some of these rare fashion films. For those who come to the matinee, it is a perfect time to hang around after the filming and stay for a viewing of the red carpet. Don’t forget to bring your cameras.
This year I was asked to have many of my hats in the filming of “Habana 3 AM.” This will be the world premiere of the high-fashion film that features the famous fictional actor Max Vogue. He has been knocked unconscious and travels through a Lewis Carroll world where he meets his icons and divas such as Maria Felix, Salvador Dali, Elsa Schiaparelli, Ernest Hemingway, and Josephine Baker. Antonio Contreras, who is the mastermind behind the Max Vogue character, is also a sensational artist and has made “Loteria cards” for all the cast and crewmembers of “Habana 3AM.” The official poster for the film is made from all these innovative “Loteria cards.”
Contreras has also created a weekly comic series with the character Max Vogue. It is an ingenious concept where Max Vogue is pictured as a brilliant time-traveling fashion detective who can be moody and angst-ridden at times. This ongoing weekly series is distributed by LJIFFF through La Jolla’s global weekly updates and festival experiences. Contreras’ innovative artwork may be viewed at the Art Installation on Thursday, July 20, and will also be held at The Lot. This global community is growing by leaps and bounds with more fashion people joining forces and awesome Internet collaborations. Fred Sweet said that the festival even had romantic team-ups that have lead to marriages. To keep abreast with Max Vogue’s adventures, or receive the latest festival news, visit www.LJIFFF.com.
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 28
The 24th annual Hats Off to San Diego will be at the Estancia Hotel and Spa at 10:30 p.m. This luncheon and Betty Mabee Hat Parade is presented by The Gold Diggers (Gifts Of Loving Donors). For more information, call Jackie Bailey at 619-670-3643. Sunday, April 30
The seventh annual Bags and Baubles will be presented at a private Rancho Santa Fe Estate from 1 p.m to 5 p.m. (address will be supplied upon registration). This silent auction fundraiser goes to FACE, who provides life-saving veterinary care for local pets. For more information, visit www.face4pets.org.
Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our Hat Designer, Teacher & Blogger at www.DianaCavagnaro.com
