Do Not Feed The Bears

When I used to work at SoLa we sold these locally designed furry hats for a brief period of time and whenever there weren't any customers in the store I would sneak over and try on one of these playful Chia Hats and try to decide which color I liked the best.  These hats are so ridiculous that they are almost like wearing a costume.  But that's what makes them so great.

I finally bought a Chia Hat at Parts and Labour the other day.  I decided to go with this little brown one.  I had to get a size small which according to the Chia Hat website is meant for small children.  Even though I'm 25 years old I guess I'm still a child at heart (and head).

Austin Fashion Week Awards Winners

Austin Fashion Week came to a close Saturday night at the Long Center with an awards show wrapping up the week's events.  Of course we don't give out any regular old trophies for the Austin Fashion Awards.  Winners receive the coveted "Golden Boot."

photo by Cory Ryan (winner of Critic's Choice Award for Best Photographer 2 years in a row)

Click here for a little explanation of the difference between the Critic's, People's, and Peer Choices and how they were chosen.

Best Designer (Critic's Choice): Dean Frederick
Best Designer (People's Choice): Tracy Tenpenny Design
Best Designer (Peer Choice): Megan Summerville

Austin Fashion Week Pick: VINCA

Some women might put out on a pair of diamond earrings in order to say to the world "I am a sophisticated woman."  The VINCA customer, puts on a pair of diamond shaped earrings made out of wood and makes the world laugh.  This laugh is what VINCA jewelry designer, Amanda Dimova, strives to achieve with her work.  Amanda claims she is "incapable of making something that's not either cute or funny."

I first came across Amanda's jewelry when I was shopping on South Congress and went into one of the best stores to find local jewelry, Parts and Labour.  A little bear ring made out of acrylic seemed to be shouting my name.  I could almost see him bouncing up and down like a little anime character saying "pick me pick me" in a high pitched voice.

While VINCA jewelry is playful and happy-go-lucky, Amanda is serious when it comes to her design process.  While most jewelry designers use materials that are already made, Amanda makes the actual components.   Amanda got the idea to work with acrylic when her family, who owned a shoe factory, bought a laser cuter for industrial purposes.  Amanda quickly learned that some pretty cool things could be produced with the precision of a laser cutter.  These pretty cool things include jewelry pieces titled "Rocker Bear", "Super-Power", and "La Grappa."

VINCA jewelry seems like the perfect jewelry line for a lot of the Austin gals I know.  Amanda says she has a friend who

Happy Birthday to Parts and Labour!

A local favorite,
Parts and Labour
is celebrating it's 6th year of being open with a
Birthday Bash this Thursday Feb.18 at
Rio Rita.
There will be drinks, snacks, and music by
Big Face.

Rio Rita is at 1308 E.6th
party starts at 9 pm


keep austin stylish

Fun Fashion Find: Mustache Bracelet

Mustache vinyl record bracelet found at Parts and Labour on South Congress.