BEFORE THE FALL Thank god there’s a fashionable end in sight for the summer doldrums. As we gear up for our own October Fall Fashion Supplement, we are still in the dog days of the relentless Texas summer. Fortunately there are some terrific fashion events sprouting on the horizon like little mirages in the desert. On Saturday, Aug. 28, 10am-3pm, Nordstrom invites you to book a free one-on-one consultation with the famous Dr. Brandt, whose excellent skin-care products are the favorites of many celebs. His team of experts will be on hand to help with product selection and instructions. Appointments can be made by calling 691-3500… On Friday, Sept. 10, 11:30am-4pm, Vën Shoe Salon will have a trunk show of the very stylish yet orthopedically correct shoe designs of Mark & Steven, a designer/doctor team that knows functional doesn’t have to mean drab. Call Vën at 306-8200 for further info… Tribeza is launching their three-day inaugural fashion event, Fall Fashion 2004, on Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 9-11, with fashion shows and a boutique crawl. See their Web site, www.tribeza.com, for details… Dian Malouf will have a trunk show of her fabulous jewelry at Julian Gold on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 16 and 17, and will feature her Longhorn Collection to tickle the fancies of UT alumni. See her work at www.dian-malouf.com… The American Red Cross of Central Texas is presenting their inaugural fashion show event, Threads, on Sunday, Sept. 26, 11am, at the Renaissance Hotel. Hosted by Dillard’s, the event offers a great opportunity to support a good cause, have a great lunch, see a runway show, and hear Sara Hickman play in between sets. Go to www.centex.red cross.org for more info… On Saturday, Oct. 2, the fabulous Maristella Ostrewich of Sage Salon is throwing a big party and fashion presentation called A Return to Glamour. Benefiting AIDS Services of Austin, it will no doubt be a raucous affair with plenty of great music, lovely clothes, and cocktails. Maristella always throws a good party. Call the salon for more info at 458-2133.
SECOND SKIN You know, I can spend a fortune on products with all the best intentions of devoting myself to a regular regime of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing my skin. Usually in a week or so, the results are beginning to show, and by week two, I’m utterly aglow, and people always notice something different about me. I love that … and then the novelty wears off, and I get lazy. Then I go and get another facial. Shamefully, I have long neglected Sabia, even though I have friends who swear by it. Upon entering this local treasure, one is easily entranced by Sabia’s apothecary feel, and though they carry many fragrant, fun items, this is not your mall bath-and-bod shop. Skin care is the most serious subject at Sabia, carrying products by Dr. Hauschka, Kiehl’s, and the fabulous Jurlique skin-care line. I had tried Jurlique before and knew it to be fine quality, but I hadn’t known it was especially good for “mature” skin. I hated the sound of that but reluctantly let go of the myth that someday I might regain the dewy, glowing complexion I had as a teenager. It was time to concentrate on the hard reality that I had “mature” skin. Jurlique products are natural, plant-based formulas combining elements of both Western and Eastern medicine. After sampling the products again and being pleased with the results, I booked a Jurlique facial and placed my mature skin in the hands of Mary Ellen Wilks, resident aesthetician. Mary Ellen is an expert facialist, with a no-nonsense approach to skin care. We got right to work immediately, and as she cleansed my skin with a variety of washes, she massaged constantly, relaxing my face, stimulating the circulation, and bringing impurities to the surface. She did a deep excavation of the pores, which, to me, is divine – nothing better in life than having someone pick at your face for you – and I was butter in her firm yet gentle hands. I don’t even remember the countless potions and crèmes applied. All I know is that when she was done, I was so thrilled with the results I swore I’d start a whole new regime of skin care … at least until I get back in for another Jurlique facial. Sabia is moving from its current location on Fifth and Lamar to 1100 S. First (the chic little stretch that you now know we must call SoFi).
SATURDAY REMINDER It’s time again for the second annual Keep Austin Weird 5K Fun Run on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Auditorium Shores. With an all-day free concert, races, contests, and a special kids area called the Weird Zone, this promises to be Austin at its weirdest … and silliest and funniest. Drop by www.keepaustinweird5k.com and make your plans.
MULL IT OVER “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.” – Oscar Wilde
This article appears in August 27 • 2004.