After a Fashion

T-SHIRT AMOR

It's just a little T-shirt (pictured left), one of only two in a collection by Austin's own James Bagley, designing under the label Baghdad Battery. But this little T-shirt, available only at Parts & Labour, has caused worldwide controversy on Facebook by being worn by Lady Gaga, who proclaimed, "Wearing my favorite T-shirt today. It might be the raddest ever." With the finest couture in the world available to her, Gaga has made as much of a sensation with this T-shirt as she did with her meat dress. Though I usually don't care much for T-shirts (especially printed ones), I am very proud of our Mr. Bagley for getting his onto the chest of such an international fashion icon. I don't know what Mr. Bagley's other styles look like (his collection includes only two), but with the kind of attention he's gotten with this shirt, I suspect his collection will include more very soon.

SHOWTIME

I'm practically rubbing my knees together with excitement over the one-night-only performance of Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour (Friday, June 15, at the Frank Erwin Center). This is the fabled presentation that has garnered spectacular reviews for its insights into MJ's inspiration and talent. I'll be meeting one of the costume designers (one of several who work under main designer Zaldy Goco, who also works with Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani), seeing the costumes up close, and touring the backstage setup. The show is written and directed by Jamie King, the leading concert director in pop music today, and features more than 60 international dancers, musicians, and acrobats. I've always been in awe of Cirque's productions. Whatever subject they tackle turns out to be a spectacularly dazzling visual and emotional treat that leaves the spirit soaring and the mind spinning. Tickets and further info can be found at www.cirquedusoleil.com/michaeljackson.

SNIFF SNIFF

Laying around feeling lousy. The mail arrives. In it is a box with my name on it. Turns out that box contains English Laundry's new fragrance Arrogant. I love the name. Immediately, I apply some to my wrist; the fragrance is divine. My lethargy dissipates as my head is filled with the top notes of bergamot and cedar. As those notes wear off, the scents of lavender and

coriander become prominent – making me swoon. At the base of the fragrance is sandalwood and amber. I'd been needing a new fragrance for some time, but it simply wasn't in my budget. I have dozens of older bottles that indicate my long history with fragrance, and I still wear them sometimes – Halston 1-12, Giorgio Beverly Hills, Grey Flannel. Like a fine retail establishment, I keep them all on a silver tray on the counter (I always want my house to look like Neiman Marcus, of course) and select from them according to my mood and outfit. But now? I'm just going to be Arrogant. All the time.