After a Fashion

Honorary Austinites Billy Bob Thornton and Marcia Gay Harden, shown here at the 2005 Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards, star in Richard Linklater's remake of Bad News Bears. The film's Austin premiere is July 20 at the Paramount.

OVERHEARD on Second Street: "Diversity is fine as long as it's pretty." We couldn't agree more.

RANDOM THOUGHTS: Commercials for The OC claimed that last week's repeat was "The show the critics are calling the best show in the history of television." Gak… Last week's issue of People magazine had Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt on the front cover with the question, "Will They Marry?" I didn't even know they were engaged!… What is wrong with that annoying couple on the Rooms to Go commercials? He comes off as developmentally disabled, and she uses drinking glasses to illustrate how much money they're going to save. Someone put them out of their misery… Read on DataLounge.com: "Lindsay Lohan will be this generation's Mackenzie Phillips," while another poster used the phrase "Sweating like Lindsay Lohan before a drug test." LOL… Snowballing. If you don't know, don't ask… Sporting rainbow accoutrement and "…stickers on your car is now known as 'driving while gay.'"

TO SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE: Statesman columnist Diane Holloway weighed in on the issue of whether or not KXAN weatherman Jim Spencer should keep his goatee or shave it off. The only point that Mme. Holloway and I can agree on is that, as Holloway said, "We like Jim Spencer. He's a fine weatherman and an exceedingly nice human being." She went on to say that the goatee "makes him look older (not bad) and meaner (bad)," and that he should shave it off. Older? Older than what? Older than her? Older than me? Older than the hills? And I laugh at the thought of anything making Jim Spencer look mean; it's simply not possible. Keep the goatee, Jim. You look very handsome and distinguished with it.

STYLE QUEEN: I've been a fan of the fabulous Kérastase luxury haircare collection for quite awhile now – top-of-the-line salon products that feel sinfully indulgent, but do everything you want them to do, splendidly. The Derma-Calm, Soleil, and Resistance collections are all excellent, and especially the Vinyle and Nacre Nutri-Sculpt products from the Nutritive collection. So when Kérastase let me know that a local stylist had won a contest of theirs, I was very pleased. It was no surprise to me that one of our locals would win (we have some truly world-class professionals here in Austin), but I was thrilled to find out it was my old friend Lisa Brooks (yes, you've read about her in my column before). Lisa competed with 200 entrants to showcase her styling techniques and talents using products from the Kérastase Nutri-Sculpt range. Documented with photos and explicit descriptions of how the style was created, Lisa's winning entry means that she will fly to New York and work with celebrity hair stylist Luigi Murenu, whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Lisa will assist Murenu in creating the second volume of the Kérastase Look Book, which highlights the innovative collection of designs produced by Murenu. Good work, Lisa!

R.I.P.: Skin-and-bones socialite Nan Kempner has gone to her great reward; ideally, it will be designed by Yves St. Laurent. The world's largest consumer of haute couture did not endear herself to the plus-sized set when she squawked: "I think most people in the world look so disgusting. I loathe fat people. I really have a hang-up. I can't stand flesh. You know, all that wiggly-jiggly fat. Don't misunderstand: I know how lucky I am. They should bottle my enzymes." Personally, I liked it when the late, lamented Spy magazine compared her to a dung beetle: "Dung beetles roll their feces into little balls to mark their territory. Nan Kempner uses placecards at her table to tell guests where to sit." She was a great target, but they really don't make dames like that anymore.

SIZZLING SUMMER TREATS: This Friday, July 15, 9pm, the magnificent Patricia Vonne presents Guitars & Castanets live at Antone's on the occasion of Antone's 30th Anniversary Party. With Del Castillo and special guest Robert Rodriguez, the show also features musical guests Johnny Reno and Joe Reyes. Be there or be Cher… Saturday, July 16, Naughty Secretary Club (www.naughtysecretaryclub.com), Sparkle Craft (www.sparklecraft.com), and Sweet Tooth Bags (www.sweettoothbags.com) present a trunk show from noon-5pm at Blue Elephant (4001 N Lamar). All three vendors are members of the Austin Craft Mafia (www.austincraftmafia.com)… Faernyn's Grove presents East of Indica, featuring their new corset designs and music by the wonderful Govinda. See www.faernynsgrove.com/events.htm for more information… Zach Scott's Artists Supporting Art trunk show has proven so successful that they have extended it through July 31. Featuring the lovely jewelry of Kevin Heady (www.kevinheady.com), simply mention Zach Scott and 20% of your purchase goes to help support the fine works that Zach Scott does… Wednesday, July 20 at 6pm at the Paramount Theatre joins the Austin Film Society in celebrating the Austin premiere of Oscar-nominee Richard Linklater's newest film, Bad News Bears. Linklater and special guests will stay for a Q&A with the audience, and there is a post-premiere party at the Dart Bowl with free bowling, drinks, and enchiladas. See www.austinfilm.org/premieres/badnewsbears.php for complete details.