Golden Scissors cuts up the runway San Diego Mesa College Fashion Program presented the Golden Scissors Fashion Show on May 13 at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina. The theme for the evening was “30 Years in Fashion.” The fashion promotion class and the multimedia students from Mesa College produced the entire show, and the cosmetology students of San Diego City College did the hair and make-up. Opening the show were the collections of alumni guest designers, Osbaldo Ahumada and Trist Roland. All segments were time-related, such as the chidlren’s wear, “Forever Young” and the fantasy segment titled “Era of Alternatives,” which showcased garments made entirely from non-fabric materials. The finale was the “Age of Creation,” showcasing the students’ collection. The winners were Iselle Nguyen (millinery), Maria Alice Gern (weekend wear), Anna Ruijgrok (day wear), Chrys Adreena (club wear), Ivvan Mendez (evening wear), Orah Jolie (collections) and Tammy Choi (fantasy). The Best of Show was given to Orah Jolie for best workmanship and Chrys Adreena for the most creative. Rounding out the evening, a Rising Star Award was given to first-year design student, Gerald McKinney. For more information about the fashion program, visit www.sdmesa.edu. All things bright and beautiful The GOLD Diggers (Gifts of Loving Donors) presented the 18th annual Hats Off to San Diego at The Prado in Balboa Park on May 19. Emmy Award winning theatre critic Pat Launer was master of ceremonies for this luncheon and hat parade, and Holly Smith Jones was awarded the GOLD Digger of the Year Award. Eleven outstanding San Diego non-profit organizations — including downtown charities Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Shakti Rising and Star of India — were picked for the Betty Mabee Parade of Hats. Each charity designed a hat in the theme “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and then modeled them for the audience. The Star of India won Best Theme Hat as well as the overall third place award. Other favorites were Friends of East County Arts (2nd Place) and North Coast Rep (1st Place). Proceeds from the event went to ARTS: A Reason to Survive, whose goal is to heal, inspire and empower children who are suffering throughout San Diego through art, as well as Just In Time For Foster Youth, who assist former foster youth with the resources needed to ensure school, job, and life success. For more information about GOLD Diggers, visit www.golddiggers sandiego.org Bikini Week makes a splash downtown The Bikini Week Tour has hit up Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Palm Springs and Miami, and ended up in San Diego between May 18-22. Starting with hot designs at Sidebar and moving on to edgy designs at Voyeur on Thursday night, the tour then went the way of paparazzi with a photo blitz on Friday at the Ivy Hotel. Saturday afternoon saw the tour at Float at the Hard Rock Hotel, and the event closed down on Sunday at Siren on the rooftop of The Se Hotel with a “pool bridge” runway. Bikini Week features designers from all walks, from newcomers to established veterans. American Honey Swimwear, Barracuda Bikini, Blue Glue, Bonsoir Bella, Cheaky Swimwear, Chelsea B, The Label Swimwear, Pull-in, Sandy Candy and Venus were all participating companies. Stephanie Wood and Merianne Gonzalez established The Label Swimwear in San Diego, starting out with custom designer swimwear and soon to be featured in specialty boutiques, while San Diego-based Barracuda Bikini makes flattering bikinis for any body type. Upcoming events June 11: Summer Fashion Show, 6 p.m., Red Circle, 420 E St., presented by MTC (Model Training Center), www.mtceventssd.com June 17: Trunk Show (Joolz Hayworth by Jennifer Flatow), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, www.mingei.org/events — Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner and has been operating a fashion business for 30 years, with 20 years in Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. She is a member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, the American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International.
