by Diana Cavagnaro
Girls & Pearls Collection
Lizz Russell showcased her Girls & Pearls Collection at the Cocktails & Couture series on May 24, presented by the Westgate Hotel, located at 1055 Second Ave., Downtown.
Kaushal Patel, co-anchor of 10 News This Morning, was “Mistress of Ceremonies” for this upscale evening. Russell is a celebrity designer known for her high-end eveningwear and exclusive Rose Handbags.
The latest collection delighted the audience with one glamorous design after another. Also coming down the runway were hats by Diana Cavagnaro-Couture Millinery and accessories by Jenee Dionne and April Star Davies.
Russell thanked everyone for supporting her charity GBS/CIDP Foundation International (Guillan Barre Syndrome/Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy). GBS/CIDP is an important cause for Russell, as she herself has been stricken with both GBS and Bells Palsy. Coming out of this debilitating disorder she decided to co-author “Smiling on the Inside” to uplift and encourage other GBS patients. For more information visit: gbs-cidp.org.
Look for details on the next Cocktail and Couture evening in November at WestgateHotel.com. The Lizz Russell Collection has also been selected as part of the wardrobe for a TV Pilot, Diva Dairies, produced by Tangi Miller of Los Angeles. Check local listings for release dates and times.
The “IT” Fashion Show
San Diego’s Fifth Annual “IT” Fashion Show was held May 30 at the U.S.S. Midway Museum, located at 910 N Harbor Dr., Downtown. This event featured BFA Fashion Design Students from The Art Institute of California-San Diego. The prestigious judges included San Diego Fashion Week producer Allison Andrews, celebrity stylist and Fox 5 San Diego style expert Dean Hall, and Joe Vecchiarelli, producer of NBC Fashion Star and founder of Fashion Supplies.
The runway was on the flight deck of the Midway, surrounded by incredible, restored aircraft dating back from WWII through Operation Desert Storm. This ship was the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
The U.S.S. Midway Museum was the perfect location for this fast-paced runway show with the lights of the San Diego skyline in the background. After this knockout show, the following awards were presented: the Trendsetter Award went to Carolina Rios, most creative to Karen Bernal, and the “IT” Designer (which is the Best in Show) went to Karlene Keller. For more information contact Campus Academic Director Darlene C. Ritz at artinstitutes.edu/san-diego/
Upcoming Events
July 10 – La Jolla Hat Fashion Show: This event is located at Eddie V’s, 1270 Prospect St., and will include a three-course luncheon on the ocean-view floor from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Best hat will receive two tickets to the Del Mar Races. Tickets are $55 and can be reserved at 858-459-5500.
July 13– Upcycled Fashion Show: Sew Loka’s Handmade Artisan Collective, 1821 Fifth Ave., from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. Call 619-870-9420.
July 26 & 27 – La Jolla Fashion Film Festival: Located at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art at 700 Prospect St., this event is home to the International Fashion Film Awards and will have a line up of short fashion films, starting Friday at 12:00 p.m. and running through Saturday at 11:30 p.m. For tickets visit lajollafashionfilmfestival.com.
July 27 – Pre-Fashion Week Tips: Join William Williams for ‘Building Your Portfolio the Right Way’ at EQ Culture Studios at 2001 Main St. in Barrio Logan near Downtown, from 6 – 8 p.m. For reservations email: [email protected]. The actual FWSD 2013 will be Sept. 30 – Oct. 6 this year. For more information on FWSD, visit: fashionweeksd.com.
July 29 – Summer Bridal Bazaar: Includes fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr. Three shows presented throughout the day. For more info call 760-334-5500.
Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner, and has been in the fashion business for 30 years. The last 20 of those years she’s operated her business from Downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, while moonlighting in the Fashion department at San Diego Mesa College. She can be reached at [email protected].
