 |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Hat Trick Choreographing a Romance Evolution of a Biology Professor Sweet Rewards Academic Stepping Stone Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
Hat Trick Diana
Cavagnaro may have a big head—literally—but this adjunct professor
of millinery and fashion at Mesa College also has a big heart. “All
the hats that were sold in stores were one size,” Cavagnaro said
she realized early in life, “but I have a big head, so I knew I had
to learn how to make my own.” Then
seven years ago, her talent for making hats was taken into a new realm
when a friend was diagnosed with cancer. That led Cavagnaro to begin making
hats for the friend as a way to help her feel more comfortable with her
hair loss. Cavagnaro became involved with the American Cancer Society’s
“Look Good, Feel Better” program, working with volunteers to
make hats and scarves for cancer patients at area hospitals. This
charity work opened her eyes to an unserved clientele. She began a business
making a line of hats for cancer patients and launched a website, http://softops.org/main.html.
About a year ago, when Cavagnaro’s father was diagnosed with throat
cancer, she branched out into making hats for male cancer patients—sporty
hats called Bobcaps, named after her father. She also offers a pattern
for people who want to make their own hats. In
March, Cavagnaro again organized the Sixth Annual Easter Bonnet Parade
and Hat Contest, an event featuring activities for families in the Gaslamp
Quarter, such as an egg hunt, performers and a hat contest with celebrity
judges. The event raises money for children cancer patients at the UCSD
Medical Center. For her efforts, Cavagnaro has been honored with the Channel
10 Leadership Award. Cavagnaro’s
fascination with hats dates back to her childhood. She loved just about
any hat, but especially fine high-society hats and the hats women wore
in the movies and old musicals. By the time she was of working age, it’s
no surprise she began creating wardrobe at the Old Globe Theatre. For
two summers, Cavagnaro designed hats for a variety of characters appearing
on the Globe’s stages, and her reputation grew. Twelve
years ago, Cavagnaro began teaching hat-making and fashion classes at
Mesa College, where she has been a fixture ever since, teaching students
the fine art of hat-making while also passing on an appreciation for the
history and meaning of hats. “I
get a huge variety of students, from 18- to 70-year-olds,” Cavagnaro
said. “Some want to begin a career in millinery, some are interested
in theater, some are into renaissance. I have students who are into making
hats for their antique car clubs and students who want to make hats for
their doll collections.” Cavagnaro
opened Designer Millinery in a downtown loft, and makes hats for special
occasions, such as weddings or social parties, or designs hat collections
for people who simply love hats. She has made a how-to video on hat making,
and established a separate website at www.aheadproductions.com. “Students
say that after they take a hat class they often forget some of the details,
so this is a way to remind them of those,” she said. “I show
them what they can do without spending a lot of money. It doesn’t
take a lot of experience, either. I have students come into my hat classes
without sewing experience, and I show them how.” Even
her busy schedule won’t kept Cavagnaro from the area’s single
most hat-centric event of the year, opening day at the Del Mar Races,
where she comments on the chapeaux for radio and TV. “We
see some of the hats the top designers introduce every year, but those
aren’t the type of hats people actually wear. We all want a hat that
looks good and makes us feel good about ourselves,” said Cavagnaro.
“You can change your mood simply by putting on a hat. It really works.”
|
