After a Fashion

A DESIGN DEBUT A couple of weeks ago, I said I was looking forward to the debut fashion presentation from Tomer Gendler. I knew nothing about the clothes Gendler (working under the name of Tomer) designed, only that virtually every element of the production sounded like a fabulous presentation. And in that respect, it did not disappoint. It was clearly evident that a great deal of financing had been put into this event, which took place at the beautiful Design Center. There were well-dressed staff, good food, plenty of alcohol, nice chairs, and an impressive runway. The house was packed with an attractive and stylish crowd, and the anticipation was palpable. It was a massive show, relatively speaking, with dozens of ensembles. Tomer has an innate creativity and a vision with desirable originality, and understands showmanship. His models were excellent (the hair and make-up was by Avant -- need I say more?). He created some stunning women's pieces, and the styling of the menswear was exceptional and elegant. On the flipside, there were a few hitches. The lighting was tragic. From the coveted seats at the end of the runway, the clothes were virtually in pitch black. Tomer is proudly billed as having no formal training, and there was evidence of this in a number of aspects. The fitting of the women's clothing, especially through the bust area, needed serious improvement. This is where formal training, such as knowledge of pattern-making and fitting, comes in very handy. This is not to say Tomer should not be proud of his work -- he evidently put his heart and soul into this -- but it is a very tall order to oversee every aspect of a collection, one that many seasoned professionals would struggle with. Tomer would do well to analyze his weaknesses and either overcome them or hire a professional to compensate. Not being able to make a beautiful garment from start to finish is not a crime of fashion; the crime is in not knowing when to ask for help. For a first effort, it was an amazing production -- slick and lush. Mr. Gendler is immensely talented, and I'd love to see him develop into a design force to be reckoned with.

EXTRA EXTRAVAGANT Yes, children, it is once again time for one of the most entertaining fashion shows of the annual season: the Club DeVille Fall Fashion Extravaganza, October 16, 8pm. Of course, it will be hosted by the effervescent Emily Fawcett and debonair Joel Mozersky, and features selections from retailers Blackmail, Flipnotics, Gomi, Legs Diamond, New Bohemia, Shiki, and Therapy. Be there or be Cher ... Wait a minute -- wasn't Cher there last time?

MEETING CHANCE The Chanel fragrance license is an enormously lucrative entity; when they launch a new fragrance, they go all the way, employing the finest artists and craftsmen to mold every aspect of the product. The quality of the promotions is always magnificent, and their ads are always gorgeous. The new Chanel fragrance Chance has just hit the market, and, as with virtually any new Chanel fragrance, is garnering lots of attention. Targeted to the notoriously lucrative youth market, the print ads have been shot by one of the finest and most stylish photographers in the world, Jean-Paul Goude. The Internet launch has been equally fabulous. More importantly, it was designed right here in Austin, by Milkshake Media.

Milkshake Media is Katherine Jones, Jann Baskett, and their team, producing cutting-edge art for the digital age. Kat Jones is a creative genius -- one of those gunslinging Texas women who can hold their own in any arena they choose to enter -- having received degrees in painting and zoology at the University of Michigan, as well as a degree in medical illustration at Johns Hopkins. She was illustrator for the Visible Human Project at the University of Colorado, assisting in development of groundbreaking anatomical software. For Mattel, Jones single-handedly designed the Barbie Magic Hairstyle CD-ROM -- everything from the program design, to the packaging, to the game itself. She designed the crucial title sequence for Fight Club, as well as all the digital props for The Cell, and contributed heavily to Minority Report. Now, adding to her list of stunning achievements, is the Chanel campaign. The campaign, based on the many-faceted theory of chance, which Coco Chanel herself relied upon, is a brilliant interpretation of the theory, employing age-old sentiment combined with state-of-the-art effects. From the luscious graphics on the site (www.chancechanel.com), to the extraordinary interactive marketing strategies, the campaign is breathtaking. Presented with a fictional young woman "C,-- site visitors observe video clips of the heroine's romantic chance encounters. "On the verge of saying no, I say yes," whispers the soundtrack, urging viewers to consider taking chances in their own lives. The concept is supported by an engaging twist that makes the viewer privy to communications between "C" and her suitors. Brilliant and charming, the campaign is dazzling, and Kat Jones is a star. Log in and sign up for your own encounter with Chance.