After a Fashion
… Wherein we listen to a new DJ, see Stephen's new 'do and wok, don't run, for some late night Chinese. Join us?
By Stephen MacMillan Moser, Fri., Aug. 2, 2002
Columns (fashion) (Photo By Bob Sherman)
HAIR APPARENT I had a great hair experience with Keith Trammell at Kenneth's on the corner of 15th & Nueces. Lately, I have been affecting this big, blond out-of-control look, which was pretty fun ... until I saw a couple of photographs of myself. On camera, it looked frowzy and garish, sort of like a cross between Anna Nicole Smith and Mrs. Beasley. And we all know that if a look doesn't translate well to the camera, it should be dropped like a bad habit. I desperately needed work done on the 'do, but unfortunately, I was leaving the next afternoon to see my family in Seattle. But fate stepped in, as my friend and neighbor, the jet-setting socialite Bob Emerson, insisted that I join him, the charming Stuart Seaver, who always has the fun gossip, and another neighbor, Keith Trammell, who has just returned to Austin after a lengthy stint in New York (where he did mega-socialite Denise Rich's hair) for cocktails on his verandah. I explained my situation to the handsome Mr. Trammell, and he gallantly volunteered to work on my coif bright and early the next morning. So I arrived at 9am, and we got to work. When going to a new stylist, I pretty much like for them to do whatever they want ... within reason. Keith's point of view was that I had great hair that was suffering from neglect -- well, it had been about eight weeks since I'd been in a salon -- so he did his thing, coloring, cutting, and styling. Three hours after I walked in, I got a look at what he had done. While I must have looked like Courtney Love when I walked in, I walked out feeling like one of Alfred Hitchcock's blondes: sophisticated and perfectly groomed. Keith had performed a miracle. Gone was the dark brown with yellow highlights, and in its place, I sported an ash-y fawn color with discreetly luminous honey-colored highlights. The cut was perfect, giving me the desired volume, but keeping it at a manageable length -- perfect for styling, or wearing very casually. I was immensely pleased. Wanna see what he can do for you? Call Keith at 474-9451 and book an appointment.
NEW KID IN TOWN There's a handful of excellent club DJs in town ... and now we can add another to the list. Nick Matthews, who learned from the best and played at some of the most famous dance palaces in New York, now resides among us ... or at least near us (you ask him why he lives in Killeen ...). Debuting professionally in 1980 at the legendary Studio 54 under the tutelage of Larry Levan and Jellybean Benitez, his star-crossed career led him to resident DJ positions at the Ice Palace, Paradise Garage, Limelight, Palladium, the Pyramid Club, and the Tunnel. The multi-talented DJ, producer, remixer, musician, and promoter did studio work with Nile Rodgers, Rick Derringer, Arthur Baker, and Cyndi Lauper, and has been able to count Grace Jones, Iman, Chaka Khan, Boy George, Marilyn, Deborah Harry, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Cher, Ian Schrager, the late Steve Rubell, and the late Andy Warhol among his friends. Matthews appeared on Lauper's famous WWF album cover and also appeared in Jones' "I'm Not Perfect" video. Matthews left NYC in a quest for a better quality of life, making his indelible mark on Syracuse, and is now ready to make Austin his own. In addition to offering his talents to clubs, he is also looking for hot singers to produce. He can be reached at 254/690-3810, or at [email protected]. Some smart club owner is going to snap this guy up fast.
PARTY LIKE IT'S 1967 Get out your silver spray paint and white shock wig! On Saturday, Aug. 10, 10pm at Beerland (7111/2 Red River, admission $4), Blue Velvet and the Fuzz Club present You Can Be a Superstar: A Night at Warhol's Factory! The club will be transformed into a re-creation of Andy Warhol's Factory, complete with 1960s music, art and décor, psychedelic light show, Warhol films, a performance by Edie's Revenge (an all-star tribute to the music of the Velvet Underground), and a Warhol Superstar look-alike contest with prizes. Get your 15 minutes of fame as Edie, Nico, Ultra Violet, Candy, Viva, Lou Reed, Joe Dallesandro, or anyone else in the Warhol orbit! Fabulous Sixties-era dressing -- Twiggy, mod, go-go dancer, or psychedelic -- can be found at either location (3203 Red River, 474-5147 or 2100-B Guadalupe, 472-9399). Mention "You Can Be a Superstar" and receive 15% off all store merchandise between now and Aug. 10. Hmmm, maybe I'll go as Brigid Berlin ... or Pat Ast.
MENUS AT 3AM Neil and I were starving at 2:30am after a night out, but it was waaay too late to order for delivery ... or was it? I remembered the flier on my door: Wok This Way (473-2WOK), open seven days a week, 8pm-4am, free delivery. So, we ordered from a very nice man on the phone, and 40 minutes later we had Chinese food in front of us. The next week, I ordered from them again, getting the same guy on the phone. He was so pleasant, that I complimented him on his courtesy and service. Turns out he's the owner, John Hudgins, and operates the place with his son Mylon, and another son who invests. So, 40 minutes later, when the food arrived, I recognized the voice of the delivery guy as that of Hudgins himself. Excellent service. Is it the finest Chinese food I've ever had? No. But at 3am, it's absolutely divine.
