Published Friday, November 11th, 2016   ( 7 years ago )

Venable Wins Opening Day Fashion Contest

From left to right: Second place winner, Most Patriotic, Kimberly Chavez of Vista, CA; first place winner, Most Patriotic, Taylor Rendon of Escondido, CA; third place winner, Pin-Up or Celebrity Look, Teresa Barnes of San Diego, CA; second place winner, Pin-Up or Celebrity Look, Daria Terskikh of Solana Beach; Grand Prize winner/first place Most Patriotic, Wendy Venable of Boulevard, CA; third place, Most Patriotic, Ana Mongeon of Oceanside, CA; second place, Most Patriotic, Jaryd Robertson of Stockton, CA.
 
The Opening Day Stars & Stripes Fashion Contest at Del Mar’s 3rd annual Bing Crosby Season on Veterans Day drew more than 100 contestants who participated in categories including Most Patriotic and Best Pin-Up or Celebrity Look. Taking place in the Plaza de Mexico, the Celebrity Look category brought out well-heeled women including “Julia Roberts” and “Elizabeth Taylor,” and dapper men “Adrian Grenier” and “Sean Connery.” The Pin-Up contestants donned a variety of glamorous looks reminiscent of bygone days.
 
The Bing Crosby Grand Prize winner was Wendy Venable of Boulevard, CA, who competed in the Most Patriotic category, and was awarded a one-night stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar and dinner for two at Addison Restaurant, featuring award-winning Executive Chef William Bradley's multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings (a total value of more than $1,000), plus a $400 cash prize and a Studio Savvy gift basket valued at $250. Venable’s camouflage dress paid homage to her family and their dedication to military service. Affixed to Venable’s dress were the medals of her husband, a retired Navy commander who served for 35 years and was deployed 12 times. Venable was also inspired by her father, a Navy military helicopter pilot, and her two children who are both currently serving. Venable herself also worked as a Navy IT specialist for 20 years. She modified her 1866-style dress to make it period correct, and adorned her hat with jewels and a bird, saying of the time, “the bigger the bird, the richer you were.”
 
Second place in the Most Patriotic category went to Jaryd Robertson of Stockton, CA and Kimberly Chavez of Vista, CA, who are both currently serving in the Marine Corps. The first time race track attendees came out in support of Toys4Tots, and were awarded with a $250 cash prize.
 
Third place in the Most Patriotic category went to Ana Mongeon of Oceanside, CA, who was compelled to enter the contest this year to honor her veteran family member. Mongeon made her own red, white, and blue fascinator, and says that her neighbor made her bustled, corset dress. Mongeon won a $100 cash prize.
 
In the Best Pin-Up or Celebrity Look category, first place was awarded to Taylor Rendon of Escondido, CA, who donned a classic pin-up look complete with voluminous victory rolls. Inspired by Bettie Page and other pin-up models, Rendon has been dressing as a pin-up since high school, and perfected her Opening Day look with a leopard print dress, corset, and furry black heels. Rendon was awarded with a $400 cash prize and a Studio Savvy gift basket valued at $250.
 
Second place in the Pin-Up or Celebrity Look category went to Daria Terskikh of Solana Beach, CA, who brought the style of the 1950s to life with her vibrant, printed red dress with a full skirt to accentuate her figure. Terskikh received a $250 cash prize.
 
Third place in the Pin-Up or Celebrity Look category was awarded to Teresa Barnes of San Diego, CA, who decided to celebrate her birthday at the Del Mar Race Track. Barnes completed her “Lauren Bacall” look with an elegant red dress, 1940s-era hat, and coordinating heels. Of the hat, Barnes says that she wore it to “reflect the times of change, and how just like back then, we will also make it through.” Barnes received a $100 cash prize.
 
The Opening Day Stars & Stripes Fashion Contest was produced by the Del Mar Throughbred Club, in partnership with creative director Deena Von Yokes of Studio Savvy Salon and contest director Joe Cuviello of Cuviello Agency. The Bing Crosby Meet runs through Sunday, December 4.