By Diana Cavagnaro | Fashion Files

RAW Artists

RAW: Natural Born Artists San Diego presented its 2016 event, FUTURES, at the House of Blues on Jan. 20. The venue was hopping with art, photography, performance art, music, fashion, and accessory designers. There were a total of 60 local artists featuring live painting, henna, body casting, hair and makeup designers and more. The show began with musical acts: Cassandra Richard, Chezale, and Bandalier. Next to the stage came dance performances with Carly Topazlo, Tap Fever, and Niara.

The evening culminated with a fashion show beginning with the art clothing of Margaret the Maker. This fashion forward collection by Corinne Walsh featured many sheer and transparent fabrics. The next segment featured Francesca Mayer who has learned to contour rubber around the human body. Mayer uses recycled rubber and fabrics for unique shapes and textures. The materials are braided, woven, and molded around the figure creating a very provocative look.

GFASH rocked the runway with accessories that shimmered. Gwendolyn Bates is the owner and head designer of these glamorous accessories that are perfect for the red carpet. Bates is community involved and stands behind a cause of women empowerment and self esteem. The GFASH brand says, “Fabulousity is an attitude we use in a positive manner. When women are confident, they feel beautiful and powerful. GFASH wants to bring it out of you.”

RAW is an independent arts organization for artist by artists. This is an international community across the globe. The artist is given a platform to be seen, heard, and loved. The next event in San Diego will be RAW: San Diego Presents Signature on April 20 at 6 p.m. Stay tuned for updates at rawartists.org.

World class needle arts

The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) came to town, Jan. 7-11, at the San Diego Convention Center, featuring their 2016 Winter Trade Show. There are four segments comprising this organization: the Yarn Group, the Needlepoint Group, the Spinning and Weaving Group, and the Counted Thread & Embroidery Group. Their mission is to advance its community of professional businesses by encouraging the passion and leadership for needle arts through education, industry, knowledge exchange, and a strong marketplace.

The trade floor had exhibitors showing off merchandise and introducing the latest products on the market. Activities were scheduled including classes with world-class needle arts teachers. On Friday evening the Yarn Group sponsored a fashion show featuring the latest trends in knit and crochet wear with an array of gorgeous shades of yarn. The models dressed in all black and then slipped on one of the beautiful designs from the Yarn Group. There were shawls, ponchos, cardigans, vests, skirts, and duster coats along with accessories such as bags and hats.

Some of the standouts were the gorgeous Gioco poncho from the Stitch Sprouts Collection, the delightful Jokull wrap by Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns, and the Missoni-inspired Bonnie pullover by Classic Elite Yarns.

More highlights were the fun Driftone Squared Shell, the incredible Bohus turtleneck in the Universal Yarns Collection, and the brilliant colors of The Stop & Go vest. The finale design was a stunning Strike a Stripe cardigan from the Trendsetter Collection.

The National NeedleArts Association is a national membership-based organization focused on encouraging the needle arts. Their next show will be in Washington, D.C. on June 11–13. For more information, visit tnna.org.

Upcoming events

March 2 | The Sky’s the Limit — a luncheon and fashion show by Leonard Simpson at the U.S. Grant beginning at 10:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in shades of sky blue. The event benefits The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/z3xbr6k.

—Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned couture milliner based in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at dianacavagnaro.com.