M.Dot Design Studio M.Dot Design Studio opened a new boutique at the Library Lofts downtown. The opening party was held June 26, featuring designs by Michelle Aquino, who also offers custom creations. This line is currently only available for women but Aquino will offer a men’s line in the near future. On June 25, M.Dot launched its new line in a fashion show at the YWCA downtown on “C” Street. The YWCA concurrently opened a new client-focused boutique for families in Becky’s House Domestic Violence Programs, PASSAGES and the Cortez Hill Family Center. The fashion show began with seven outfits from the YWCA’s boutique which were a combination of donated and recycled clothing. The afternoon concluded with dresses from Aquino’s beautiful creations on the runway. For more information visit: www.mdotde-signstudio(N).blogspot.com or www.-ywcasandiego.org Bikini Week makes a splash The second annual Bikini Week was celebrated downtown from June 30 to July 4. This event celebrated the art and lifestyle of swimwear in five local hot spots. The first night on June 30 was at the FLUXX Nightclub showcasing Francisco Medavog’s 2011 couture line of bikinis. The Stingaree Nightclub showed off swimwear on the second night. The Rooftop at ANDAZ (formerly the Ivy) featured a swimsuit fashion show overlooking the Skyline of San Diego on the next night. On Saturday, the Hard Rock hosted two fashion shows in the afternoon. Guests were able to sip cocktails as they lounged in the sun and watched the latest swim fashions. The week concluded on Independence Day at the Horton Event Space. This venue was converted into a beach atmosphere. Guests enjoyed a shopping soiree and two more fashion shows to wrap up the five days of festivities. A silent auction was held and proceeds from the event went to Global Flying Hospitals, which has three 747 planes that are flying hospitals going all over the world to help people who do not have insurance. For more information, visit www.GlobalFlyingHospitals.com. To learn more information about the next Bikini Week, visit www.bikiniweek sd.com. Hats and horses Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club was “Cool As Ever” on July 21. This is always one of San Diego’s biggest fashion events of the year setting a new attendance record of 45,309 this year. The fashionably-dressed patrons came out in droves wearing the most glamorous chapeaus. This tradition for opening day brings out race goers all trying to outshine each other with the most stylish hats. For years, big, sophisticated hats have been the norm at the racetracks. Recently, Australia has influenced headwear with small, brimless fascinators and has made it acceptable to wear petite hats to racetracks. An array of small hats were seen this year. This season, one of the most popular styles is the delicate sinamay straws that accent a women’s head perfectly. The color of choice was black and white with an accent of Chinese red. Lemon yellow and amethyst were carried over from last season and were seen in abundance. A trend has been bows on hats and fascinators. Trims include exotic feathers, exquisite silk flowers and meticulously-crafted embellishments. Racegoers wore hats by many different milliners including Philip Treacy, Designer Millinery, Arturo Rios and Del Mar Hats. The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest brought out more than 400 entries this year. First prize was awarded to Katy Helen Stockinger of San Diego for the Best Flowers category; Frank Holtz won for Best Racing theme category; and Rosalyn Sidewater of Los Angeles won the Most Glamorous category. Fay Meitz won the Funniest/Most Outrageous category. The race season runs from July 21 to September 8. For more information go to: www.dmtc.com/season/ or call 858.755.1141 Upcoming events • Aug. 8: Summer Bridal Bazaar with three fashion shows at the San Diego Convention Center. Call (760) 334-5500. • Aug. 13-15: ASR Expo at the San Diego Convention Center — fashion shows (Fashion Society) are Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. For information visit www.asrbiz.com • August 19: Sassy City Chicks present Fashion Bash Sample Sale at the Hard Rock Hotel from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For more information visit www.SassyCityChicks.com. • Aug. 21 — St Madeleine Sophie’s Center at the Sheraton Harbor Island East Ballroom, 10 a.m. with fashion show by Leonard Simpson. • Aug. 24: Globe Guilders Fashion Show featuring Naeem Khan at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Call Jill Holmes at (858) 454-0014 for more information. • Aug. 28: Timken Museum & FCC will host the third annual Art of Fashion at 6:30 p.m. and VIP After Party at 8:30 pm. For more information call (619) 239-5548, ext. 100. — Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally-recognized hat designer and milliner. Diana has operated a fashion business for 28 years, the last 18 years in the Gaslamp Quarter. She has taught in the fashion department at San Diego Mesa College for 18 years. Diana is a member of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, The American Sewing Guild, the San Diego Costume Council and the Fashion Group International. www.aheadproduc-tions.com.