A Modern Take on the Victorian Tea Party

Photographer: Siobhan Gazur 

Assistant Photographer: Howard Max 

Shot on Location at the Glorietta Bay Inn

Models: Dulce Aguilar, Abby Gervais & Marlene Freerksen, all with San Diego Model Management, & Tatum Smith

Fashion Stylists: Crystal Russell of Lovers are Square

Fashion Stylist Assistants: Brooke Rothfield & Jena Bellin

Hair: Amanda Moore & Hailey Davis of Soul Reflections Artistry 

Makeup Artist: Amy Richardson 

Assistant Makeup Artist: Maya Nozki of Clean Beautie

Pastries Provided by The French Gourmet

Floral Arrangements Provided by Nadine at Studio Fleurish

Every year, students in the Fashion Program at San Diego Mesa College spend hours craned over the humming needles of their sewing machines, scanning decades–old photographs and fingering bolts of thick fabric. Their task? Designing contemporary outfits with the flair of the historical for the annual Fashion Redux. This year, students sought inspiration from the Gilded Age, the last decade of the 19th century in which the world marveled at the modern fashion and innovations on the horizon. Behold the best designs, featured in our own gilded pages. 

Cherry Tan Coat Dress; Design by Cherry Duong.

Dulce Aguilar is wearing earrings by House of Sacred Flames, beaded coin necklace and cross & amber ring by Virgins, Saints & Angels, and coin ring by French Kandee, all available at Fairen Del; leather choker and leather lace–up cuffs custom made for photo shoot by Black Wolff Leather; and Giuseppe Zanotti Design shoes available at Ooh La La Del Mar.

Pantsuit; Design by Nada Zein.

Tatum Smith is wearing a crown, earrings, bracelet cuffs, and rings by celebrity jewelry designer Marianna Harutunian, and shoes by Andrea.

Blue & White Dress; Design by Megan Sheffield.

Abby Gervais is wearing necklaces, feather bracelet, gold cuff and rings by celebrity jewelry designer Marianna Harutunian; vintage earrings by Bad Madge; Marabou Fan by Zucker Feather; and shoes custom–designed by Crystal Russell of Lovers are Square.

Leather Zip–Up; Design by Lina Mills.

Marlene Freerksen is wearing a hat by Diana Cavagnaro Couture Millinery; goggles by Umbrella Lavatory; facial emblems by All in One; vintage set of keys by Brake and Rumble South Park; eagle, snake and button rings, key necklace on black ribbon, and vintage necklace by Bad Madge; clock necklace, time in bottle necklace, compass necklace, glitter & key necklace, and time without a face ring by Lola Luna Ocean Beach (all necklaces made into sash); vintage gold necklace around neck and vintage boots, stylist’s own.