Spikey in Pink

Everyone knows I like a good juxtaposition, so, hard spikes on a pretty pink jacket?  I'm in love!  I ran straight towards these spiked up jean jackets at the Dog and Pony pop up shop at Beauty Bar last night and had to try on this pink one.  I just can't seem to get enough of Star's DIY denim adventures.  Owner Star Lee and her gang have been hard at work preparing tons of jean jackets and shorts for SXSW.  You can go check out more of the fabulous spiked up denim at Dog and Pony. 

P.S. I got my hair re-dyed right before this party, so it's lookin a little on fire in this photo!  What do y'all think?


Joanna Wilkinson
keep austin stylish

Upcoming Event: Bleach Online's Tokyo Plum Release

Bleach Online launches their newest issue at Beauty Bar this Wednesday.  Should be a great event to do some style watching.  Plus 2 of my favorite Austin shops, Laced with Romance and Dog & Pony, will both be setting up pop up shops!

Event details below:

SXSW What to Wear?!

We are only one month away from the free booze, free tacos, live music, and complete madness that is SXSW.  Because SXSW comes at an awkward seasonal transition time in Austin where the weather is as moody as a pregnant woman, it's essential that you put some thought into your wardrobe.  SXSW brings in people from all over the country and even the world, so it's also important to show Austin style in a good light.  (Plus, you'll wanna look good if you want to score with that cute out of towner.)  

Here are my suggestions of what to wear during SXSW in order to stay both comfortable and stylish.

Upcoming Event: Dolls in Space

Upcoming Event: Dog & Pony Window Launch Party

What:

• Dog & Pony Window Launch Party with Xavier Schipani
• Projections from Bleach Online
• Metal Ghost Zine Release
• live performances by Boy Friend and Feathers
• DJ Speak
• Tarot card readings 
• Drink Special: Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka $4
• $3 cover 

Where:

• Beauty Bar

When:

• Saturday, Dec.3
• 10pm

Joanna Wilkinson

keep austin stylish

Star Studded

Star Lee isn't just the owner of local boutique Dog & Pony.  She also happens to be a talented DIYer.  Star's newest re-worked vintage pieces include some killer spiked and studded garments including everything from tough leather jackets to an ethereal gown.  Star was generous enough to let me borrow this brightly colored and gold spiked 80s style dress to wear to a Movember cocktail event.  I love the spikes against the floral pattern of this dress because it reminded me of Little Shop of Horrors or those piranha plants in Mario.

You can go check out more of Star's studded one-of-a-kind garb for sale at Dog & Pony.  Prices range from around $60-400.

Ready For Cooler Weather

I woke up this morning and had a calm and peaceful feeling about me.  What was that organic sound outside my window?  The trees were rustling in the wind creating something that could only be upstaged by waves gently crashing on a shore.  Besides creating a relaxing sound to wake up to, what does this sound mean?  A cold front has arrived this morning!  Well, not really a cold front, more like a "cool front".  That is of course if you consider 90 degree weather to be cool...which I do.

Temperatures may still technically be summer degrees, but the sound of leaves blowing in the wind has got me excited about Fall.  It also helped that I took a trip to Dog & Pony yesterday to get an idea of what Fall/Winter clothes I could expect to see this season from one of my favorite local boutiques. 

Recap: So F*ing Haute

It wasn't technically an official Austin Fashion Week event, but it was officially one of my favorite shows of Austin Fashion Week.  Besides actually being f*ing hot (we were all packed in Hush like sardines in a sweaty can), the aptly named "So F*ing Haute" show contained some of the most interesting and unique styling that I saw all week.  What was most surprising about this show is that it was the first ever show by the creative duo, the Champagne Derelicts.  The Champagne Derelicts are a team of stylish Austinites comprised of Hunter Lohse and Jenny Woys, who you may or may not have seen rocking some interesting outfits out and about at fashion events around town. 

Hunter and Jenny, whether it's hit or miss, are always behind clothes that make you stop and pay attention.  I must admit, I can only best describe the looks from Friday night that were styled by Hunter as a 70s porn version of Scott Disick.  It's probably difficult to imagine most guys you know attempting to rock the Dapper Tramp look.  But for an underground sweaty runway show in Austin, it worked.  But, personally, my favorite pieces were worn by the ladies.  When the piece by Tracy Tenpenny that was like a panier skirt made up of nails strutted down the runway, I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped.  Where and when can I wear a bustle made of nails?  Someone create this badass event for me... 

Then to make the show complete, Jenny Woys' designs walked the runway creating a perfect contrast to Tracy Tenpenny's rough and hard designs with her airy and natural aesthetic.  The final looks, which used feathers and hair as materials, were a great mystical end to a fun and inspiring runway show.  I'm intrigued to see what's next for the Champagne Derelicts.

The Dapper Tramp

My Outfit: Laundry Day!

I've been doing a lot of laundry lately (even more so than usual.)  I can put together outfits a lot better when everything is clean, otherwise I'm running around my house like this: "Ok I'll wear this dress!...Crap, all my nude colored underwear is dirty! Ok, so nothing white...I'll wear this top!  Where are my strapless bras???"  It's disastrous.  And with Austin Fashion Week starting this weekend I need to have all my clothing options available.

You should be happy to know that all my clothes are currently clean, steamed, and hung up in my closet coordinated by color.  Hey, that's what happens after you work a retail job for a year.  

Style Watch: Psych Fest

What: Austin Pysch Fest

Where: The Mohawk

When: August 12, 2011

Sometimes in Austin when you combine Rock n' Roll with Fashion, you get a specific look.  It's a little 70s inspired and a little bohemian.  If last night you wore something Janis Joplin would have worn, then you probably fit in.

I think the Austin Psych Fest attendees were not only influenced by the music, but also by some of Austin's best boutiques, Laced with Romance, Feathers, and Dog and Pony.  The boutiques brought their latest styles for their pop up shops which featured lots of vintage, the new Dust and Drag and Rima Hyena Collaboration, Altered Vision designs by Nikki Cloud, and DIY jorts from Dog and Pony with some mischievously placed studded crosses.

Check out what everyone was rockin:

SALE: Dog & Pony

Dog & Pony has become one of my favorite local boutiques and they are currently having a Summer Sale! Up to 80% off selected merchandise.  Go get it girls.

Joanna
keep austin stylish

Recap: Bon La Vu Fashion Show and Launch Party

What is Bon La Vu?

Honestly this is a question that I couldn't find many answers to last Sunday night.  Even though there were many local designers involved in this shindig, the majority of them seemed pretty unaware of what the whole thing was about.  I got more answers by just going to the Bon La Vu website.  However, the website is "member exclusive" which means you have to enter in your email even to browse the site.  Bleh.  I'm not a fan of sites where you have to sign in just to look at anything.   

But anyway, the point of the website Bon La Vu is this: Every day they feature a different outfit made up of pieces by local designers and/or local boutiques.  You can buy any piece separately, OR you can buy the whole outfit.  If you buy the entire outfit then you get a discount.  Sounds kinda awesome, right?

Dog and Pony

Ever since I graduated from UT I hardly ever make it over to the campus area, unless it's to quench my thirst for bubble tea.  So I was unaware of the new boutique near campus, Dog and Pony, that opened up recently.  Dog and Pony lives on Guadalupe next to Kasbah and has only been around for about 2 months, but I have already been hearing some good things about it.  I went the other day to check it out for myself.

What I found at Dog and Pony was a decent selection of trendy clothes that were priced pretty reasonably. There were actually some really unique pieces at this place.  Some one of a kind hand painted tanks were one of the more unique things I saw.  Although they weren't necessarily something I would want to wear since they reminded me of a preschool art project, the idea and artistry of them made me stop and look twice.