Discarded to Divine turns cast offs into couture pieces

Silk print Monet by Ulises Alcala/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Thursday evening St. Mary's Cathedral was the center of fashion in San Francisco as Discarded to Divine, the annual charity fashion show and auction benefiting St. Vincent de Paul Society, unveiled the ingenious reworked creations of many local designers. 

Dorothy coat by Janice Paredes/Image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeEach piece in the 12-look live auction/runway show was constructed from previously cast off garments and materials ( think old prom dresses and tablecloths turned into couture gowns and perfect summer dresses).  The looks which were exquisitely tailored, clearly illustrated the wealth of creativity and talent in the Bay Area with their unusual cuts and bold color palettes.  Models walked the double runway, and the bidding began immediately after allowing patrons to snap up the original creations as they were shown.

ombre coat by gr.dano/Image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeWith so many inventive looks shown throughout the evening it was difficult to select a favorite, however, it was Cari Borja's dark and delightful Galatea at Twilight (shown front page) that made this reviewer struggle to keep her auction paddle down after the $500 mark.

Other favorites of the evening included the Ombre coat from gr.Dano (pictured left), the silk print Monet dress by Ulisies Alcala (pictured above left) and the Dorothy Coat by Janice Paredes (pictured above right).

Patrick Meade from Bonhams and Butterfields/Image:S. Whittle for Style WyldeThe Apprentice's Brandy Kuentzel/Image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeActing as Master of Ceremonies for the event was  The Apprentice Season 10 winner, Brandy Kuentzel who brought her own style to the ceremony, but the real charmer of the night was Auctioneer Patrick Meade of Bonhams and Butterfields whose professional wit and humorous delivery eased the process of separating the patrons from their cash.  

For more information on Discarded to Divine,including a complete list of all the participating designers in the event (more than 150 total) please visit the official Saint Vincent de Paul Society home page.