Recap: Maison d'Etoile & Megan Summerville present Lingerie Cabaret

Maison d'Etoile was HOT... and so was the lingerie Monday night.  Although we were all sweating uncomfortably in the little old East side house that is home to wig shop Coco Coquette, Charm School Vintage, and Salon d'Etoile; we were all able to endure the accidental sauna due to the lovely eye candy in front of us.  Plus, singer Mistress Stephanie not only serenaded us with her lovely voice, but also kept us laughing with her outgoing charm.  If I ever have to sing in front of a sardine packed crowd in a sweaty house I too would probably fan my lady bits with an audience member's hat.  Not only to keep myself cool, but to also keep things classy.

Megan Summerville unveiled her latest lingerie designs at the Maison d'Etoile event for Austin Fashion Week, and although she told me beforehand that she was nervous, I knew she had nothing to be nervous about.   Megan Summerville is easily one of my favorite designers in Austin.  The attention to detail that she puts into her handmade pieces is what amazes me the most.  I love that her looks have a vintage vibe, but aren't too costume-y.  Her designs are unique and special, while still being completely wearable.  The wigs from Coco Coquette and fascinators from Madame Reverie added to the Cabaret vibe of the show and it all came together beautifully (despite the heat.)  

Recap: Austin Threads Exclusive Fashion Show

It was early on a Sunday morning and the banter from the MCs before the runway show was driving me insane forcing me to down my mimosa faster than I should have.  But once the actual fashion show got started, it was a really fun show to watch.  Some of the most talented designers in Austin plus one New Yorker showed off their latest designs last weekend at the Austin Threads Exclusive Fashion Show.  But of course, the show was not lacking some criticism from me.

Malissa Long is talented and I like her designs, but the majority of the dresses that she showed this night were designs that I have seen from her for about a year now.  The one thing I haven't seen from her before was the rainbow dress which I kinda wanted to lick because it looked like a giant popsicle.  The popsicle dress was a really fun new aesthetic from her and I would like to see more from this, which was completely disjointed from her older neutral looks.  I'm excited to see more new stuff from her in the future and hopefully a more cohesive collection.

Yep, Cypress Vanguard Has It All

I finally got to go check out the local designer fashion house, Cypress Vanguard today!  The space that was formerly home to Launch 787 and lingerie designer Megan Summerville transformed in December to the local designer fashion house now knows as Cypress Vanguard.  In addition to housing the designs of Megan Summerville, this shop contains the locally designed clothing and accessories from the Ross Bennett Collection, savannahred, milli starr, By Jeannie Jewelry, Tracy Tenpenny, and Foxy Fusions.

Here's a little bit of info. on the designer collections you will find at Austin's fashion house:

Megan Summerville

Handmade lingerie in styles varying from girly to sexy to everything in between.  Each month Megan is releasing a signature bra and panty set from her high end Megan Summerville Signature line, which is known for one-of-a-kind pieces that are made from extremely rare and luxurious fabrics.  For January and February Megan has released a romantic velvet set which is custom dyed with a 1920s vintage cotton lace accented and hand beaded cup.

Cypress Vanguard Launch

Back in October I talked to local lingerie designer Megan Summerville about her shop and she informed me that her space would be expanding in the future to include more local designers.  The goal of Megan and Launch787's Matt Swinney was to create a one stop shopping experience for people looking for locally designed clothing and accessories.

Megan and Matt's vision is now a reality as the Cypress Vanguard Fashion House is launching this Sunday with local designers such as Anslee Connelly of savannahred and Ross Bennett of the Ross Bennett Collection (to name a few) joining forces to bring you a power house of locally designed merchandise.

Old Hollywood Glamour

Okay so, the other day I showed y'all a behind the scenes look at the photo shoot I did with model Arianna McKinney, hair and makeup stylist Keith Patillo of Shine Salon, and photograhper Gregg Cestaro.  Here is the end result.  The awesome photos by Gregg Cestaro...

Once again, thank you to the local stores who provided me with amazing pieces to show y'all: Adelante, SoLa, Mana Culture, Amelia's Retro-Vogue, and Megan Summerville.  Everything borrowed from local stores are in stores now and available for purchase.

Peacock feather hair clip: SoLa

Earrings: Model's own

Dress: Stylist's own (mine)

UFG Fall Fashion Event

In case y'all were unaware, there is a group for people interested in fashion at UT called University Fashion Group.  I was a UFG member for a couple of years when I went to UT and I loved it.  It gave me my first experience working behind the scenes at fashion shows.  (It also led to an eye opening experience that I can't really discuss on my blog, but you can ask me about that in person someday if you'd like.)

But anyway, tomorrow UFG is holding a Fashion Fall Event at the Megan Summerville/ Launch787 Patio.  If you've never been, it's a really picturesque backyard area where you just wanna hang out and sip cocktails.  (I honestly don't know how Megan gets any work done over there.)

In addition to complimentary food, a live DJ, and activities like t-shirt reconstruction, there will also be a a fashion competition!  The categories for the competition include: most glamorous, most trendy, most original, most eco-friendly, most thrifty, the "Keep Austin Weird" award, and overall best dressed.  There will also be raffles throughout the night for prizes.

This event is free for UFG members and $7 for non-members.

Behind the Scenes

This past weekend I had the opportunity to be the wardrobe stylist for a photo shoot with model Arianna McKinney.  Arianna wanted to do an old-school vintage Hollywood glamour type of shoot in order to add some vintage inspired photos to her portfolio.  I was so excited to get to style this shoot for many reasons.  For one, this was the first shoot I styled for someone other than myself.  Secondly, I am really into old-school movies and vintage glamour.  And thirdly, I got to work with a fabulous photographer, Gregg Cestaro, and make up and hair stylist, Keith Patillo of Shine Salon.

I of course went to some awesome local boutiques to borrow clothes for this shoot.  I'm really glad I got the opportunity to show the local resources we have here to create an old Hollywood look.  Thank you to Adelante, SoLa, Mana Culture, Amelia's Retro-Vogue, and Megan Summerville for providing me with some amazing pieces.

In addition to borrowing from these stores, I also pulled pieces from my own personal collection, as well as Arianna's.  The end result is awesome and I can't wait to show y'all the photos that Gregg took.  But for now, you get a behind the scenes sneak peek from the photos I took on set at Arianna's pretty house:

Glam, Glitter, & Gore

Ok, the text on that flyer might possibly be the worst I have ever seen.  There is way too much going on to able to decipher anything.  Luckily I am here to break it down for you.

Glam, Glitter, and Gore is a shopping and art event happening today at the Starving Art Studios.  Starting at noon today, you can enjoy food trailers, an indoor artist market, outdoor vendors, family friendly costume projects and crafts, face painting, and more.  This portion of the event is more geared towards families and kids.

Starting at 6 pm the event becomes more focused on the adults.  There will be a closing reception for the Glam, Glitter, & Gore art exhibition that has been going on since October 1st.  You can enjoy drinks, live music, a costume contest, photo booths, and more.

But the main reason I am excited about this event is the fashion show that is taking place at 6:30.    This fashion show will feature collaborative designs by svannahred, Jinxedaposed, Megan Summerville, Jennifer Cunningham, The Curiosarium, Al Shults, Shalena Designs, Simmang Designs, and more.

Texas' Next Top Designer

The Texas' Next Top Designer competition started in 2006 and since then has helped bring recognition and financial help to a handful of talented fashion designers.  The goal of Texas' Next Top Designer is to find that special designer who has both the talent and the business savvy to start their own business.

Last year, the winner of this competition was lingerie designer Megan Summerville.  I actually first met Megan at one of our Ladies Who Lunch gatherings.  (I get to meet so many awesome women these days.) I remember Megan discussing her handmade lingerie and convincing us that she had some very affordable and wearable pieces.  Even then I thought it sounded too good to be true.  But this past weekend the Texas' Next Top Designer Launch party for 2010 was held at Megan's shop, so I finally got to see her lingerie for myself.  Megan's claims were true, and her handmade lingerie is beautiful.  I would say the pieces are heavily influenced by vintage, making "lovely" the best word to describe her work.

I did a little spontaneous interview with Megan during the party.  Megan tells us how winning Texas' Next Top Designer has benefitted her and what advice she has for future competitors:

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