San Diego History Center and Mesa College’s Fashion Program will celebrate the 12th annual collaboration for Fashion Redux 2023. Four 1980s garments from the San Diego History Center’s historic clothing collection were used by Mesa’s students as inspiration for designing their contemporary designs.

The students viewed these garments in the San Diego History Center’s Historic Clothing and Textile Collection and used their creativity to come up with a new design. The students start off with a sketch, a mockup, and then the final inspiration.

The next step was to set up a photo shoot that worked for all the garments. Creative director Liese Victoria envisioned the scene shot outside with the tall skyscrapers and breathe taking view of San Diego as a backdrop. The weather had other ideas! It was raining buckets so it was time to quickly pivot.

Victoria shifted her creative visions indoors at the Punch Bowl Social in East Village. This family-oriented restaurant has an ’80s vibe to it with a photo booth, karaoke, table tennis, an arcade, and bowling. It is a modern take on today’s market.

Ramses Alfaro Mendoza and Leo Cotton modeled their own designs. Mercedes Villarreal modeled the creation of Eddie Villarreal, and Maia D. Magno modeled the designs of Robbie Matawaran.

A finale party and fashion show will be presented on Thursday, April 20, from 6-7:30 p.m. The evening will show this year’s designer challenge, which focused on historic garments from the 1980s. This is the first time they are back in person since 2020. It is a great opportunity to meet the designers and see the garments the students created along with the historical pieces.

Mesa College director of fashion Jordyn Smiley, said: “The 1980s were a decade of vibrancy and larger-than-life energy and exuberance, with bold shapes and colors dominating the fashion world. From Madonna to Princess Diana, the fashion icons of the time encompassed a wide array of styles, and all of them were pushing the boundaries of what came before them.”

The program will include a reception, gallery opening, runway show, and presentation of the final four garments with models at the San Diego History Center. The audience will be able to vote on their favorite garments and then there will be an announcement of the People’s Choice Award. The evening will conclude with Q&A and discussion panel with the student designers.

The collection will be on exhibit along with the original garments from the San Diego History Center’s Collection beginning on April 20. For tickets for this evening, visit https://sandiegohistory.org/events/ or call 619-232-6203.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, April 16 – Bridal Bazaar with fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Two shows presented during the day. Info: 760- 334-5500.

Saturday, April 22 – Spring Showcase 2023 presented by Fashion Week San Diego at the Hotel Republic from 6-9 p.m. For tickets: https://fashionweeksd.com/events/spring-showcase-2023/.

Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the San Diego area. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher, and blogger at www.DianaCavagnaro.com.