After a Fashion
SXSW Thursday
By Stephen MacMillan Moser, Fri., March 15, 2002
Columns (fashion)
MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC It was Austin Music Awards time again -- and was, as usual, a night to remember. Hostess and Producer, my beloved sister, Margaret, put on a dynamite show (once again), with the glitterati of Austin music present. Margaret, of course, looked divine, and always makes such a sweet moment of thanking me from the stage for my loving support and the annual Awards Show earrings I give her every Christmas. It was appalling that a belligerent sot of a guest, who shall remain nameless, made herself unwelcome and behaved badly to Margaret ... you can imagine that that guest will not be returning next year. Other than that, the show was fabulous, with glowing acknowledgment from the winners and presenters. A favorite moment occurred when News 8's Andy Langer asked if I'd kibitz with their reporter Nicole live, on the air, about the range of fashions present. There was a lot to talk about in a very short time, but we went live with the broadcast and gave a very Joan-and-Melissa approach to Awards Show fashion. Emcee Paul Ray is always smooth as buttered silk, and one of the best-dressed men there. Dale Dudley also deserves mention for having the most stylish tux present -- the high-button style looked great, and he cut a debonair figure (though his partner Bob Fonseca represented another end of the fashion spectrum). Mega 93.3's Miss Kitty was cute as a proverbial button, looking like Judy Geeson from To Sir With Love, as she presented the Best Club DJ award to the remarkable Trey Lopez. The appearance of Sixpence None the Richer was a major highlight. Spoon was a big hit, as well, and charming, too. Lyle Lovett's tribute's to Champ Hood was beautiful, with an especially moving moment of Lyle performing "Cowboy Man" and "Blues for Dixie" with Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel. And thanks to the tough-as-nails Darcie for her wonderful ability to make things happen at the VIP tent, and to gatekeeper Tiffany who graciously allowed my rather large entourage to go against the flow (of course) and exit through an entrance. All of the Awards Show staff did a great job. Kudos all around.
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS Perhaps the most special treat of the evening was the fabulous (and fabulously billed) Supergirls, featuring Austin female supergroup Lord Douglas Phillips, who are, of course, the wildly tressed legendary drummer Terri Lord, the crazy ex-wrestler Darcee Douglas, replete in superhero outfit with cape, and the incomparable Gretchen Phillips, looking divine in a modest fit-n-flare A-line (think Midge, you know, Barbie's friend from the mid-Sixties?). The trio served as the main hostesses (or hosts??) to some lovely guests, including the sultry Patrice Pike, who has traded in her love beads and spiffed up her rocker-look, and the charming vinyl-clad, raven-haired vixen Dotty Farrell, veteran of the Austin punk scene and beyond. It was really a girls' night out when the gals were joined by Sincola's Kris Patterson and the folk-rock mama who started it all -- at least for some of these girls: Nancy Scott. The whole place was singing Scott's "Lost in Austin" by the end of the set. The high point, I must mention, was LDP's go-go dancers. My editor tells me that one of them is a professor, and let me tell you, we could all learn a thing or two from her and her cohort. With lithe dancers' bodies that contorted to all get out and biceps that would seem at home on a trucker, these sexy athletic babes meant business and kept the crowd entertained, to say the least.
SHOE HEAVEN Have you been to Vën?? Well, it's just about the swankest women's shoe store in town. Newly opened in Davenport Village, owners Gustavo & James (just about the most charming imports we've had lately) have put together a chi-chi collection of divine shoes, the likes of which have not been seen locally. Formerly based in New York, the partners relocated and set up shop in Austin based on the advice of the shoe manufacturers, who said Austin was a happening spot. Showcasing the Dr. Taryn Rose collection of orthopedically correct, yet very high style shoes (I kid you not), the store is luxuriously minimalist, and carries a wide range of fabulous collections. Consider this your invitation to Vën's Grand Opening Party, Thursday, March 21, 6pm. Vën is located at 3801 Capital of Texas Hwy., and can be reached at 306-8200.
PARTY TIME Wishing Creatures Boutique a very happy first anniversary. The conglomerate of shops (Gomi, Creatures, and Turntable Records) located at the corner of South First and West Mary will be celebrating this special occasion Saturday, March 16, 2-7pm-ish. Creatures has such fabulous men's shoes -- some of the coolest in town, definitely, and at very reasonable prices. Their women's shoes are equally divine, and they certainly carry boots that have an attitude. Hey, Out-of-Towners: Gomi is the destination for club clothes, and their new remodel makes their space truly shop-able. The event will feature food, live music, DJs, beer, spirits, and shopping provided by all of the above-mentioned concerns. Music will begin at 2pm with interim DJ sets between bands. Please feel free to call Gomi at 442-9977 for more details.
