M Bride Dazzles The 2013 Wedding Showcase, themed Swoon 4, took place March 3 at the US Grant Hotel. One hundred local event specialists, including florists, musicians, event planners, photographers, videographers, caterers and DJs set up on three floors, with four of the main ballrooms each transformed into a seasonal theme with winter, spring, summer or fall greeting 800 brides-to-be and guests. City Ballet provided fabulous entertainment. Two fashion shows presented by La Jolla’s M Bride highlighted exclusive couture gowns chosen by owner Michele Martin. Juelerie accessorized the gowns with exquisite jewelry, and as the models glided down the runway, the crowd did indeed swoon. In conjunction with the four seasons, Swoon 4 gave away four honeymoon grand prize packages. Spring designer preview Nordstrom presented the spring designer fashions on Feb. 27, a top-shelf fashion show at the Wyland Center in the Del Mar Fairgrounds. With the runway set up in the shape of a square, models walked counter-clockwise while the name of each designer — fashions hailing from New York, Milan and Paris — was projected on the wall. Nordstrom added three men’s designer collections from Givenchy, Lanvin and Missoni this year. Black and white styles seemed to dominate some collections, with one of the standouts being a long black-and-white Pucci print dress. The fabulous Donna Karan Collection was casual chic, but one of my favorites was a timeless white pique sculpted dress by Azzedine Alaia. The finale featured an Oscar de la Renta collection with bright colors and oversized earrings. The last dress in his collection — one that would make any woman feel like a princess — was a huge crowd pleaser. Guests stayed for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails after the show while they shopped with an on-site boutique. The event raised $83,000 for the San Diego Opera. Upcoming Events April 6 — Fashion with a Passion at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. cocktails and cuisine, shopping in the vendor village and clothes swap. Tickets at www.fashionwithapassion.org April 18 — Vista Hill Foundation luncheon and fashion show at the Marriott Marquis. (858) 854-5152 April 21 — Spring Bridal Bazaar with fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Three shows presented throughout the day. (760) 334-5500 May 10 — Golden Scissors Fashion Show at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina, 5:30 p.m. reception and silent auction, 7:30 p.m. fashion show and awards. (619) 388-2205 — Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner with a fashion business in downtown San Diego. She has been teaching in the fashion department at San Diego Mesa College for 20 years.