Diana Cavagnaro | Downtown News

Style Land Gala 

The 10 Best Dressed Awards celebrated its fifth annual gala on Nov. 30 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina Pavilion.

Sally B. Thornton was on hand as founding member along with celebrity Mary Murphy as honorary chair with the awards presented to 10 women and 10 men each year.

Murphy is from Champion Ballroom Academy on Fifth Avenue, a former U.S. ballroom champion and judge on the Fox television show,  “So You Think You Can Dance?”  Paul Hernandez, FIDM graduate was also on hand during the social hour, draping beautiful creations on three mannequins.

The evening included a fabulous sit-down dinner followed by a fashion show produced by Leonard Simpson’s Fashion Forward.  The theme for the show was Style Land.

Singing and dancing was interspersed in-between the fashions creating a great Broadway type Show.

The singing was by Chad & Lisa Frisque and the dance performances were by Darcy & Shane and Amelia & Will.

The runway rocked the audience with the latest fashions from GSB Men’s Clothier, Mia Bella Boutique, Better Deal Tuxedos and Furs by Graf.  The finale showcased the Couture Collection by FIDM designer Kenneth Barlis. The audience was thrilled by this marvelous collection.

Proceeds from the evening benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, PAWS, The Arc of San Diego, Home Start, and the San Diego Police Historical Association.

For information on the next Gala visit: LeonardSimpson10BestDressed.com.

Fury Critters take over the Gaslamp

The fifth annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade presented by Downtown Ace Hardware took over the Gaslamp Quarter on Dec. 9.

The pet parade started at the Gaslamp Hilton Park with a procession through the famous Archway and along the streets of the Gaslamp. This fun-filled day with all the critters included a Pet Expo, complimentary goodie bags, and discounts to local pet-friendly restaurants.

Prizes were given and contestants included critters and their owners.

Winner of Best Original Costume Made Out of Duct Tape was Bob Moyer’s Stella (Lab/Hound Mix); winner of Ugliest Christmas Sweater: Debby Steele’s Ivan (Miniature Dachshund); winner of Cutest Critter: Tiffiney Welles’ Lunchbox (French Bulldog); winner of Best Pet Holiday Costume: Tommy Marino’s Queen Mz. Halle (Great Dane); winner of Best Costumed Group: Justin Peverley, Shalara & Kitty (Great Dane) (aka Kitty’s Shark Attack); winner of Best Costumed Duo: Noel Wenger & Jiffy (Chihuahua) (aka Grinch & Max); winner of Best Pet Costume: Catherine Fisher’s Belmont (Domestic Short Hair Cat), and winner of Best Canine Costume: Michael Quidor’s Sussie (Alaskan Malamute) (aka Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing).

The winner of Best of Show: Linda Sukay’s Leo (the Driving Pomeranian), who will be back as Grand Marshall next year.  Make sure that you put next year’s sixth annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade on your calendar for Dec. 8, 2013.  For more information visit: gaslamp.org.

Fashionable Indulgence

Fashion 5.0 magazine hosted The Keating Experience: Fashionable Indulgence at the Keating Hotel on Dec. 12.  Guests were able to enjoy a great shopping experience for the holidays.  The second floor was transformed into pop-up boutiques with a one-stop shopping experience.  Shoppers were able to enjoy cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres along with complimentary manicures, chair massages and hair styling offered by Fresca Spa.

The evening included over 20 fashion retailers and one of my favorites was Devotion Diva.  Elle Chaseton creates devotion jewelry that includes rosaries and accessories for baptism, communions, and bridal.  Tease Boutique, located Downtown on Island Avenue, was also there, selling their trendy clothes.

The stylish on-line boutiques of Moderne and Street Chic were there with their latest line and Molly Beard showed off her modern jewelry line, b.mookie.  For the eco-friendly material shoppers Kandals had their 100% Green Certified European cotton shoes there.  Leslie du Roure showed off the chic jewelry of Loulou Bijoux. Andre Soriano who is known for his beautiful gowns inspired by old Hollywood glamour was on hand to showcase his luxurious bridal collection.

The Keating Hotel is a premiere boutique hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. This historic building with its modern Italian design was the perfect place for a fun filled evening called the Fashionable Indulgence.

Upcoming Event

January 20, 2013 | Winter Bridal Bazaar: with fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the San Diego Convention Center. Three shows presented throughout the day. For more info, call 760-334-5500.

February 8, 2013 | Go Red:  Fashion & Luncheon Show by Zandra Rhodes at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Hotel to help fight heart disease in women. 10:30 a.m. Expo & Silent Auction 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. Fashion Show. For information call 858.410.3834

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 diana@aheadproductions.com.