Diana Cavagnaro | Fashion Files
Strut for Sobriety!
Strut for Sobriety celebrated their 10th year at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina Grande Ballroom on Sept. 13. This luncheon, awards ceremony and fashion show was hosted by A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing). The event began with a shopping boutique in the Harbor Ballroom before adjoining to the luncheon. Each table was beautifully decorated with a cake from the San Diego Cake Club.
Mistress of Ceremonies Rory Devine (NBC 7/39) and Geni Cavitt (TV meteorologist) began the festivities. This year Dianna Feeley was the honorary chair and Annette Bening was the celebrity honorary chair. Liz Crocker and Collen Ruis Ince were co-chairs. The 2014 PATH to Recovery honorees were San Diego Sheriff William Gore; Ethan Nadelmann of Drug Policy Alliance; Caroline Stewart, L.C.S.W. at A New PATH; Congressmember Susan Davis; and Alice Huffman of the NAACP. These honorees were recognized for their efforts to reduce the stigma associated with addictive illnesses.
The guest speaker was radio producer Little Tommy Sablan followed by a live auction by radio personality Joe Bauer who was also the guest auctioneer. The Junior Crew and San Diego Soccer Girls entertained the audience. The much-anticipated fashion show began with fashions from Macy’s Horton Plaza and eveningwear by PreVue. Gretchen Productions choreographed and produced this upbeat show, which had singers and dancers interspersed between the segments creating a unique event.
Proceeds benefitted A New PATH, which helps reduce the stigma of addictive illness and works toward drug addiction treatment services. For more information visit anewpathsite.org.
Fashion through the ages
The Angels of Aseltine Auxiliary presented Fashion Through the Ages on Sept. 17 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center. Emcee for the event was KUSI meteorologist and feature reporter Dave Scott. Yvonne Silva was chair of the event committee.
The luncheon and costume parade raised funds for local charities, including A New PATH, German American Societies, Globe Guilders, The GOLD Diggers, Moxie Theatre, Scripps Ranch Theatre, Women’s Museum of California and Write Out Loud.
Each one of these organizations entered a model dressed as one of the characters from the PBS series Downton Abbey or from that era. The audience voted for their favorite character. The winning organizations received cash prizes.
First place was given to the GOLD (Gifts of Loving Donors) Diggers entry modeled by Leslie Zwail. Zwail wore a “dress for dinner” gown perfect for Lady Cora Crawley at a ball. They were awarded the Angel Halo prize worth $1,500. Second Place went to the Globe Guilders. Bonnie Wright modeled this ensemble in the style of Lady Mary Crawley in the 1020s. They were awarded the Angel Wings prize for $1,000. Scripps Ranch Theatre took third place. Jill Crexler’s red ball gown dated from the 1920s. They were awarded the Angel Harp prize for $750. There was a drawing for runners-up. The German American Societies won this Lucky Angel prize for $500. Gitta Kalker modeled a dress she made from a 1924 Mary Brooks Picken pattern with a drop-waisted frock for the afternoon teas.
The event benefitted the Aseltine School that was formed in 1968. This innovative program works with San Diego’s K-12 students whose needs are not met in traditional settings. For more information about the Aseltine School visit aseltine.org.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 18| Freedom by Fashion — This white party charity event will be at Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe at 5 p.m. hosted by Hidden Treasure Foundation, which rescues and restores women and children victimized by human trafficking. For tickets visit eventbrite.com/e/freedom-by-fashion-white-party-tickets-12020901841
Oct. 26|From the White House to your house: Fashions inspired by our First Lady — at the Christian Fellowship Congregational Church from 4 – 7 p.m. This fashion show will be located at 1601 Kelton Rd. For more information call 619-262-8095.
Nov. 8 | Fashion Gala — Presented by Heels2Heal, this exclusive runway show with designer Nicole Miller will be held at the private Estate of Alex and Laleh Roudi in La Jolla at 5:30 – 11 p.m. The event benefits the San Diego Youth Services. For tickets visit heels2heal.org.
Nov. 13 |10Best Dressed Award — Presented by Leonard Simpson of Fashion Forward and Dress for Success San Diego, this event will feature awards ceremony, formal seated dinner, theatrical show and dancing. The auction will be located at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines beginning at 5:30 p.m. For tickets visit leonardsimpson10bestdressed.com/tickets/.
—Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally recognized hat designer and milliner and has been in the fashion business for 30 years. She can be reached at [email protected].
