By Diana Cavagnaro
An enchanted evening
Dame Zandra Rhodes presented her Enchanted Forest Collection at the Westgate Hotel on Oct. 22. The luncheon and fashion show began with a Champagne social hour where guests mixed and mingled. Rhodes is an international designer from the UK whose specialty is textile design. The distinctive garments have bold patterns with vivid colors. Most of the creations are made with silk chiffon, which gives them a very feminine and glamorous look.
Many prestigious clients have donned her creations such as Helen Mirren, Sarah Jessica Parker, Paris Hilton, and HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Rhodes is truly a treasure for us to have here in San Diego.
After the social hour, the guests adjoined to the Versailles room and sat down to a three-course luncheon. The menu was created by Jeanne Jones, the international food consultant and cookbook author. In keeping with the Enchanted Forest theme, the luncheon was topped off with a Black Forest cake.
Models for the runway were local television stars, including Angie Yang from CBS 8 and Neda Iranpour from San Diego 6. They came down the runway showcasing the Enchanted Forest Collection, which came direct from London. The models had bouffant hairdos by Vicky Lavanty, exotic makeup by Valerie Vonprisk, and were accessorized with knee-high gladiator boots. Many of the colors were in different shades of green reflecting the theme.
Looking at these unique designs left the audience breathless and saying, “I want that one and that one and that one!”
The luncheon benefits The American Friends of The Zandra Rhodes Museum. Rhodes set up this museum in London in May of 2003 and the current exhibit is Liberty in Fashion.
For more information, visit ftmlondon.org. After the show, guests could come behind the scenes and meet Zandra Rhodes and try on garments. If you missed this fashion show and would like to see these incredible creations, the studio is in Solana Beach. For an appointment, call: 858-792-1892.
It’s Bing Crosby season
The second fall season at Del Mar began on Oct. 29 and will run for five weeks through Sunday, Nov. 29. This 20-day meet is offering a variety of events such as festivals, free concerts, and giveaways. My favorite event is of course the opening day Hollywood fashion contest at the Plaza de Mexico bringing the best dressed to the fall season. This contest invokes Hollywood style and glamour reminiscent of the Bing Crosby era at the racetrack. Contestants came as celebrity look-a-likes, couples, movie characters, and dressed as both women and men. All were ready to be a super star for the day.
The second annual Hollywood fashion contest offered three categories: Most Glamorous, Best Dressed Couple, and Best Celebrity Look-Alike or Famous Movie Character, with $3,000 in prizes.
The Bing Crosby Grand Prize winner received a two-night stay at L’Auberge Del Mar, plus dinner for two in Kitchen 1540 and breakfast for two at Coastline.
The winners were: First place and grand prize winner for Best Celebrity Look-Alike or Famous Character went to Lynn Wheeler of Rancho Santa Fe for her Lauren Bacall outfit and second place went to Lori Shelton of Rancho Santa Fe.
First place for Best-Dressed Couple went to Bob Ellis and Jenny Stoff and second place went to Jeffrey Cobes and Lori Sovacchio of Upland.
First place for Most Glamorous went to Erin Howell of San Diego and second place went to McKenna Harchol of San Diego.
The Bing Crosby Season offers a variety of events including concerts, Breeders’ Cup Viewing, Daybreak at Del Mar, Free & Easy Sundays, and Bing+Bubbles+Brunch every Sunday with celebrated chef Brian Malarkey. For more information, call 858-755-1141 or visit delmarscene.com.
Upcoming events
Nov. 5 | Flaunt it Fashion Series — the fourth annual “Flaunt It” fashion series features Timmithea at the W Hotel, located at 421 W. B St., Downtown, from 6 – 8 p.m. The event also features signature cocktails and an exclusive runway show. RSVP at [email protected] to join the party.
Nov. 8 | Day at Del Mar Races — this fun day includes a fashion show in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad. The event begins at 1 p.m. and will be benefitting the National Charity League, Inc. For tickets call: 619-709-3939.
—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
