After A Fashion

The Lady Miss Kier enchanted and Dee-Lited the crowd at the Cockpit last Saturday as she DJed a set for Nathan James' Dragstravaganza '08 (www.xhbt.org), which also featured a bevy of eye-popping drag beauties in over-the-top performances. (Photo by Michael J. Hernandez)

ALL ABOUT FALL The forecast for fall is already clear and Neiman Marcus. NM has it in spades. Okay, you know I prefer to cover the independent stores, but Neiman is a chain store second and a true Texas legend first. Ever since NM opened here, store Vice President Nancy Nichols and PR goddess Lisa Trahan have attended every stylish event I can think of. NM's donations and support of local causes have won the hearts of fundraisers across the city, and Nancy and Lisa, along with appearances by merchandise manager Jamie Broadhurst and esteemed NM fashion director Ken Downing, always add a bit more glamour everywhere they go. (Downing was already a fashion god back in the Eighties in Seattle when I first met him.) A stroll through the store tells you all about fall: Silhouettes are both fluid and structured but always sleek, berry colors from pinks and reds to blues and purples are happening in a maaay-jah way (as Posh Spice would say), and satins ranging from slinky charmeuses to tailored duchess satins rule the runway. And we are talking about daytime here. Also for day, lace is happening in several ways, both overlaid on sculptural dresses and separates and in glorious cascades and ruffles. The romantic blouse is a new staple, often trimmed with lace, and statement jewelry is what's going on – big, important pieces that can take the forefront, or conversely, layering of chains, bracelets, and rings in masses also make an important statement. For the legs, colored, opaque tights in all the berry colors (and black, naturally), paired with high-vamp shoes – anything that comes up toward the ankle, from T-straps to booties. So there you have it: Some of the women I know will buy all this at NM, some will interpret it themselves at smaller boutiques, and some will even make it themselves. However you achieve it, it's a glorious fall season ahead.

THE STYLE AGENDA Remember that your applications for Blackmail's Little Black Dress Design Contest are available at Blackmail (1202 S. Congress), and your finished project is due by Tuesday, Sept. 30, with judging, awards, and celebration to take place Friday, Oct. 3. For more information call 326-7670 or e-mail [email protected]... Shop your little hearts out at the Domain, Saturday, Sept. 6, 10am-6pm, with sales, specials, food, music, free gifts, entertainment, modeling, and chances to win thousands of dollars in gift cards from the retailers by playing bingo to benefit the Center for Child Protection. Cards may be purchased at www.centerforchildprotection.org... The always fabulous Le Garage Sale returns on Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 6 & 7, at the Palmer Events Center. Complete info at www.legaragesale.net... Will you be Austin's Next Top Makeover? Well, you can be, as Bella Salon (1221 W. Sixth) brings the make-up magic of Sutan Amrull from America's Next Top Model and celebrity hairstylist Jake Dingler (his clients include Eva Mendes, Cynthia Nixon, Famke Janssen, Amanda Bynes, and Lauren Conrad) to Austin for a brief residency, Sept. 9-12. A surprise local celeb will be made over at the kickoff party (Monday, Sept. 8, by invitation only), and all appointments can be booked by calling Bella at 474-5999... Coming up Friday, Sept. 12, 9:30am at the Renaissance Hotel is the annual Beauty of Life brunch and shopping extravaganza, benefiting Hospice Austin and featuring a silent auction, mimosas, and Carson Kressley of television's Queer Eye. Tix and info can be had by calling Grace Holland at 342-4753 or through the events link at www.hospiceaustin.org. Later that night, Tribeza presents the pièce de résistance of its annual Style Week with the glittering fashion show at the Austin Music Hall. Further info and tickets are available at www.tribeza.com/styleweek.