FASHION HELL Fall fell hard last Thursday, beginning the fall season with the presentation of the Statesman‘s Glossy 8. I wish I could say I arrived impeccably late, but I hadn’t been out in so long that getting ready took far longer than I anticipated. In fact, the presentation was over when I arrived, and I walked in waving goodbye to many friends who were already on their way out the door. Buh-bye. Among those leaving was television star Carson Kressley. This queen is wickedly funny and surprisingly kind. We embraced warmly in passing, knowing we’d be seeing each other a scant 12 hours later at Hospice Austin‘s Beauty of Life brunch. Yikes! Reminded that I had to be at the Renaissance up north at 9:30am for the Beauty of Life, I too made a quick departure. Waking at 9:11am, I was thrilled to hear that my date, Gail Chovan, was running late, too. We were impeccably late for this event – just enough time to mix and mingle briefly before settling at our tables. As noted, Carson was the special guest, ripping and roaring through jokes that kept the ladies in stitches. In discussing ways to feel better about your own body and referring to Carson’s show How To Look Good Naked, a guest asked, “What if you just aren’t comfortable looking at your own naked body?” Carson said, “Then try a box of wine and a dimmer switch.” A great brunch for a great cause. Post-brunch was nappy time before preparing for Ballet Austin’s Fête 10, honoring 10 years of exquisite choreography from Stephen Mills. Mandarin Flower Co.‘s decor was dazzling – the table dedicated to the ballet Hamlet, which had a black tablecloth with a red overlay on it cut to look like blood was dripping down the sides, was especially effective. But the afterparty. Oh. My. God. Best. Party. Ever. It took place at the old Seaholm Power Plant, and we arrived in a hearse limousine, which befitted my mood (book it for Halloween now at www.atxhearserides.com). The seating for the Carolina Herrera fashion show was a bit of a VIP free-for-all, but I was going to slit my wrists if I didn’t sit on the front row. So I took a seat in front of Neiman Marcus Vice Prez Nancy Nichols and chatted with her. Attorney General Greg Abbott and his delightful wife, Cecilia, sat next to me, and I always enjoy their company; they are some of the nicest, sweetest Republicans I’ve ever met. You can hardly see their horns and tails at all. After the show, the runway became the dance floor, and the party went on until 1am. The gift bags were packed with enough little bottles of liquor to start a major airline. A major sponsor, the W Austin Hotel, gave us a lovely dose of the hospitality and glamour we can expect from it. Billed as the “Party of the Decade,” it may well have been exactly that. All previous parties that I have declared to be the Party of the Decade have now been moved to the Party of the Decade Hall of Fame. And I’m desperately trying not to mention seeing a second-string socialite fall off the runway while dancing. She landed in the “V for Victory” position, exposing to the entire world that she was innocent of lingerie. I’m currently undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Monday night was the glittering Sabores Auténticos de México dinner at the Long Center. Incredible food and decor combined with a guest list that appeared to be lifted from the eveningwear edition of Popular Hispanics magazine made for a truly fab evening … and prepared me for a week of rest.
WHEREFORE ART THOU? The fabulous Red Dot Art Spree begins at Women and Their Work tonight at 6pm. All pertinent info is at www.womenandtheirwork.org… Wednesday, Sept. 22, begins Tribeza‘s Style Week No. 7 with the Rock + Runway men’s fashion show, 8-10pm at the ND at 501 Studios. The women’s fashion show is Friday, Sept. 24, and there’s a whole roster of things in between. Details at www.tribeza.com. Though this particular style week is conceptually similar to the Launch787 Fashion Week, Tribeza always manages to pull off some of the most high-velocity fashion shows that we get to see in Austin.
This article appears in September 17 • 2010.