By Diana Cavagnaro
The Glamour Project provides fashion makeovers and glamour photos to disadvantaged women. This marvelous organization was co-founded by Kara Fox and Evvy Shapero in the LA area. Fox is a psychologist and a photojournalist with a background in entertainment advertising design. Shapero is a neurotherapist who continues to work in her private practice. Marilyn Feldman, a licensed social worker, joined the team and adds her skill as a couture milliner. Feldman is a bicoastal resident living in Coronado half of the year and then in Boston the other half. She has started the Glamour Project here at Veteran’s Village of San Diego and also set up a Glamour Project in the Boston area.
The Glamour Project works with survivors of domestic abuse, ex-gang members, women who have been incarcerated, homeless, and women veterans at the Veteran’s Village of San Diego. Some of them are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or have no place to live after serving their country. The Veteran’s Village provides a Welcome Home Family Program and includes transitional housing programs for eligible homeless female veterans. They help teach them skills to obtain employment opportunities.
This nonprofit invites these women to a day of pampering. Someone is there to style them and give them a new look, which will help with their self-esteem and uplift their spirits. This “dress-up day” includes having their hair styled and a makeup artist on-hand to change their look. This new look is topped off with an incredible hat from Marilyn Feldman. The final gift to them is a “glamour shot” to remind them that they are cared for. It is amazing to see the transformation before and after. Feldman said, “ What is it about putting a hat on, no matter who you are … you are transformed!”
Currently one of Feldman’s hats was accepted as the Hat of the Month for the April issue of HATalk Magazine. Feldman said, “This is a great example of what happens when these women have a glamorous day of fun, fantasy and playfulness. As soon as she put on the hat, her funky, spunky attitude and sassy personality came bubbling to the surface with abundance.”
What a joy it must be to give this gift of beauty that makes such a change in their lives. These three women have left a big impact on all they have touched. The next event here in San Diego will be at Ultimate Lash & Brow in Bankers Hill. All the efforts of these three women couldn’t be done with out help from the community. If you would like to volunteer, visit glamourproject.org.
Upcoming Events
March 8 – Fashion Redux Finale Party 2019 at San Diego History Center from 6-8 p.m.
Reception with four winning student fashion designs at San Diego Mesa College will be unveiled along with a lecture by Professor Susan Lazear. To register, visit SanDiegoHistoryCenter.org/Events.
March 9 – Together We Can! Live Your Dream presented by Soroptimist International of San Diego. This spring awards luncheon, boutique and fashion show will be at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel, Marina Tower from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For tickets, call Gretchen Bergman at 619-670-9880.
March 22 – Celebrating Couture presented by Globe Guilders and Neiman Marcus featuring the fall couture collection of Marchesa at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine at 10 a.m. For reservation, contact Joydelee Marrow at 858-382-1672.
— 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.
