Austin Fusion Launches With a Fun Floral Fashion Show

Photography by John Paul and Fuzebox, as well as art by Charlie Terrell added color (and thanks to John Paul some slight nudity) to the white walls of the Swan Dive last night.  Austin creatives and stylish spectators gathered at the home to Vintage Vivant in order to party for the launch of Austin Fusion.  This new online magazine celebrates the many talented artists who put their heart and soul into keeping Austin interesting, artistic, and yes, weird.

To get the party started last night, models (with some killer bods) walked a runway sporting clothing from Electric Frenchie, jewelry by Gay Isber, floral headpieces from Bloomers, lingerie by designer Sabra Johnson.  Hair and makeup was provided by Kelli Wilson and Bobbi Douglas as well as Russ & Co.  I have to give it up to Edith Henry for styling the show as it was a cohesive and pleasing fashion show to view.  The stand out pieces from this show were the floral headpieces from Bloomers which really pulled the show together, made it cohesive, and made the outfits runway worthy.  I'm now dying to make one of these!  Don't judge me if this Spring I walk around looking like a flower pot.

Upcoming Event: Strut 512 Fashion. Art. Music. Giving

What:

• Food
• Drinks
• Live Music by Rock House
• Fashion and Live Auction
• DJ Johnny Bravvo
• Fashion Show with local boutiques and designers: 81 Poppies, Mana Culture, John Castro with Kastro Kills, Catherine Nicole Jewelry
• Benefits Spirit Reins
• Advance Tickets $30, $40 at the door

Where:

• Umlauf sculpture garden and museum
• 605 Robert E Lee Road

View Larger Map

When:

• Thursday, May 12
• 6:30 - 10 pm

Joanna

keep austin stylish

Recap: UT Fashion Show 2011

The anticipation was building up inside of me as I stood in the photographer pit waiting for this year's UT Fashion Show to start.  I seem to always forget that this show is not only a fashion show, but it's also  a graduation.  And with about a billion people to thank, some technical issues, and the lack of a cocktail bar, I was about to jump out of my MRKT heels waiting for my favorite fashion show of the year to start. 

Why is the UT fashion show my favorite show in Austin?  Because firstly, it is entirely made up of original designs (this year there were 96 designs shown), it is a professional looking show that has been given a ton of thought and planning, and last but definitely not least, it is a show that has young designers who have fresh and interesting visions to show.  This year was no exception, and in fact, I feel as though this show keeps getting better and better each year that I attend.  This year's show was appropriately called "Innovation" as many of the graduating designers were indeed innovative with their designs showing things such as a coat that glowed in the dark, dresses that could quickly transform with a simple gesture, a suit jacket with a hidden cell phone pocket, and a wedding dress with led lighting.  While those designs are kinda fun, the gimmicky fashions are usually not my favorite.  What do I like?  Elise Romero's cape for one! Check out my photos of my favorite looks from the show, and keep reading to see the winning designs:

Elise Romero

Recap: FashioNation's Final Chapter Fashion Show

As Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine played on the speakers behind me, the first model in FashioNation's Final Chapter Fashion Show began to slowly glide down the runway.  In the middle of the show, my friend who was sitting somewhere else tweeted me and said I looked bored.  Maybe it was because I was really tired, maybe it was the dreamy Florence and the Machine song, or maybe it's that I have been to too many fashion shows.  But, I don't think it was any of these things and I don't think boredom was what I was feeling at this fashion show.  I think "uninspired" is the better term to use.  Honestly, the more and more fashion shows that I go to in Austin, the more I crave creativity and something unexpected.

I did get a little taste of this near the end of the show when original designs by local Austin designer Chelsea Jacquelyn Jones of Toxo-Philite and FashioNation co-founder and Texas State grad, Dominique Deveraux, walked the runway.  Even though I wasn't overly impressed with the fashion at the show, I am always impressed by people who start things and make things happen.  The organization that put this show together, FashioNation, was started in order to bring students together who are interested in the fashion industry, and show them that they have the power to make things happen with fashion.  Now we just need to make more things happen with the fashion shows in Austin.

Neiman Marcus

Upcoming Event: Innovation, the UT Senior Fashion Show

Every year the graduating seniors from the Textiles and Apparel program at UT show their senior collection at the UT spring fashion show.  Embracing new technologies and eco-friendly techniques, these collections by graduating seniors have always been some of my favorite designs to see in Austin.  As far as fashion shows in Austin go, this one is definitely a must see.  Plus it's free to attend! RSVP on facebook here.  If you can't make it to the show in person, there will be a live webcast of the show on Fashionably Austin.  And, you can come back here and check out my photos and review after the show.

What:

• Innovation, the UT fashion show
• free attendance
• projecting live tweets on screen with the hashtag #UTInnovation.  
• 96 original designs by graduating UT seniors
• game day collections, individual collections, and evening and bridal
• awards announced at the end of the show

Upcoming Event: The Final Chapter Show

What:

• The Final Chapter Fashion Show
• free
• donations accepted for TWLOHA
• fashion by: Callis, toxo Phillit, joes jeans, Neiman Marcus, Betsy Johnson, and Strut, TIKKR

Recap and Review: StyleX

Style has always been a part of SXSW unofficially.  Because southby brings in people from all over the world to Austin, there is always an array of interesting fashion to be seen.  And anywhere music and film go, fashion and style will always naturally follow.  But while past years have seen fashion in the shadows of the music, film, and interactive of SXSW, 2011 marked the beginning of style becoming an official part of the popular festival with StyleX.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from StyleX seeing as it was its first year.  However, I did secretly have high hopes for the event.  I love that fashion is gaining importance in Austin, and I love getting to be a part of the growing interest in style.  So, I was greatly pleased to see StyleX be born, and was also happily surprised at the turnout for the event.  Seeing as no one really knew what to expect of the caliber of the event, there was a pretty decent crowd at StyleX.  My question though after my experience at StyleX is, will the crowd continue to grow next year and will StyleX eventually become as relevant to the regular SXSW festival goers?

Fashion Freakout 4 Video

If you chose not to go to Fashion Freakout 4 last Friday because you wanted to stay inside your warm house, you might have missed out on your toes becoming numb from the cold but you also missed out on a really fun fashion show.  But lucky for you, I caught it all on film.  Check out my video of Fashion Freakout 4! :




I really loved the styling by all the stores in this show, but Laced with Romance is the store that inspired me the most.  I now want a crochet dress, a flapper dress, and a crazy headpiece with feathers on it.


Joanna
keep austin stylish

Recap: Fashion Freakout 4

Halfway through Fashion Freakout 4 I realized my toes were numb.  I then realized I was wearing open-toed shoes outside on one of the coldest nights Austin has seen in a long time.  But I was happy to see I wasn't the only one to brave the cold in order to get a view of the local vintage fashion.  Hundreds of stylish Austinites huddled around the few heaters, ordered hot chocolate at the bar, and dreamed of warmer weather while they gazed at the lace, feathers, top hats, canes, chains, and masks that appeared on the Mohawk runway.

Fashion Freakout 4 was actually my first Fashion Freakout to attend, and I have to say that even though it was painfully cold, the fashion show lived up to the hype.  I now know why Austinites have claimed Fashion Freakout as THE fashion show of the year.  The styling by local vintage shops Prototype Vintage Designs, New Bohemia, and Laced With Romance was some of the most interesting and editorial-worthy I have seen at any local fashion show to date.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the show:

Upcoming Event: Fashion Freakout 4

If there was only one fashion show in Austin that I could suggest you attend, it would probably be this one.  Of course, I say that having NEVER even been to Fashion Freakout (I wanted to go last year but wasn't able to).  However, the things I have heard/ videos and photos I have seen from the Fashion Freakouts in the past lead me to believe that this show is amazing.  

The best part about Fashion Freakout is probably that the style they portray in the show is so Austin.  Example: at the Fashion Freakout show last year, one of the male models walked the runway with a beer in his hand and took a swig from the bottle when he "posed" at the end of the runway.  

Top 10 models

Congrats to the final top 10 contestants in the Top Austin Model Competition!

Alexandria Overton

Top Austin Model Showcase Event

Last Sunday night the 15 semifinalists of the Top Austin Model competition strutted their stuff on the runway at Qua Lounge (yes that's the club with the sharks in the floor).  Not only was I there to see if the models have what it takes to be named Top Austin Model, but I was also there to view the local fashion designs by designers Meling Chang and Jena Randall.

I thought the models all did really well, especially considering most of these girls are inexperienced at modeling.  However, there were a couple of girls that stood out to me above the rest.  I've been to a ton of fashion shows here in Austin and I not only try and get good runway photos, but I also try and get a good look at the clothes.  I've definitely had some complaints about models in shows before.

Here are some things that will make you stand out as a good model:

Top Austin Model Showcase Event

The top 15 models have been chosen from the first round of the Top Austin Model competition, and they are getting ready to move on to the second round.  This Sunday the chosen top 15 models will walk it out at the Showcase Event at QUA Lounge where judges will then choose 10 girls to move forward to the next round.  The fashion show will feature looks by local designers Meiling Chang and Jena Randall, plus body art by Beauty on the Go and Ivy Kim.

Check out this behind the scenes video from the competition's photo shoots and get a look at some of the models you will see compete in the show this Sunday:

Style Watch: SoLa Fashion Show

Where: SoLa on South Lamar

When: Thursday Nov. 11, 2010

What Austinites were wearing at the SoLa Fashion Show last Thursday night:

Recap: SoLa Fashion Show

Last Thursday I went to check out the SoLa Fashion Show at their location on South Lamar.  This year instead of the typical runway style show, they chose to have static models pose in the front windows and inside the store to show off the outfits.  I liked this set up a lot because it gave everyone a chance to really check out the details of the outfits.  I think the selection at SoLa right now has some really great options for holiday party outfits.  Check it out:

The unofficial SoLa mascot is their dog Venus who was feeling very confident at the show and thought she was supposed to help model.  If you're lucky, Venus will be hanging out at the store the next time you stop by SoLa.  She frequents both the South Lamar and the Triangle location.

Juxtaposition Fashion Show

The Juxtaposition Fashion Show happening this Sunday is featuring looks by local designers Shannon Kramp, Sabra Johnson, and jewelry by Shalena Designs.  You can enjoy hor d'oeuvres and drink specials at the fabulous Paggi House.

Unfortunately you can't enjoy this great night of fashion for free.  VIP tickets are $80 and include access to a VIP after party.  Regular tickets are $50.  For tickets and more info click here.

SoLa Roaring 20's Fashion Show

This Thursday there are 3 fashion shows going on.  Yes, 3!

First of all, it's time for the annual fashion show by local boutique SoLa.  SoLa is my old stompin grounds, so I know first hand that they put on a great show.  They are doing things a little bit different this year though.  Instead of the typical runway show, they will be showcasing the outfits on live mannequins/models throughout the store.  This will give everyone the opportunity to spend time looking at the fashion instead of it all being a blur.  It will also give photographers (like me) the chance to actually get some good photos!

The theme this year is a roaring 20s feel with lace, ruffles, volume, and prints.  They will be serving up some beverages by Paula's Texas Spirits and Dripping Springs Vodka with DJ Ozone and Mike Sway providing the music.

5% of the sales from this night will benefit SafePlace.

Please RSVP here to the SoLa Fashion Show.

Hem and Stanton Fashion Events

Hem Jeans and Stanton Clothing Co. are having 2 fashion events this week.

First, Hem and Stanton are teaming up with Estilo to bring you a Fall Fashion Show this Thursday hosted by Embellish Nails & Boutique.  There will be complimentary cocktails and cupcakes (whoo!).  They will also be giving out swag bags to the first 75 guests and everyone can enjoy 20% off any purchases.  DJ Johnny Bravvo (does Johnny Bravvo with two v's look like Johnny Bravo the cartoon?) will be providing the music.

Recap: Glam, Glitter, & Gore Fashion Show

I guess I shouldn't have set my production value expectations too high for an event taking place at a venue called Starving Art Studios.  The small room with low ceilings, lack of good lighting, and questionable DJ made me feel a little nervous about what the fashion show was going to entail.

The turnout for this shopping event and fashion show was probably not what the artists and designers involved had hoped for.   As I stood around waiting for the fashion show to start, it became more and more clear to me that this crowd was similar to that you would see at a school play.  The people in attendance seemed to be mostly that of close family and friends of the people involved.

With all of that said, once the show actually started (an hour later than it was supposed to) I thought it was fun.  I especially liked Anslee of savannahred's Day of the Dead inspired designs.  But after waiting for so long for the show to start, I was disappointed with how quickly the show was over.  I wish there had been more designers involved in this show so that there would have been more designs to see.

Here are my photos from the show that took place last Saturday:

savannahred

Halloween Lingerie Fashion Show

I didn't really realize how scandalous this event flyer was until I just increased its size and uploaded it into this blog post.  Hopefully no one is offended by boobs.  If you are, then you should probably stay at home on Halloween weekend.  Halloween is when the slut-tastic girls think they have an excuse to dress extra slutty.

Basically, if you less than prude girls don't have any costume ideas yet, then i suggest coming out for this fashion show tonight.  It will feature lingerie "costumes" from TABU Lingerie.