After a Fashion

Fashionista's Lisa Brooks knows that showgirls can never have enough hairspray, as she grooms a model (in a tape measure dress by Karly Hand) for Style Cup 2005. (by www.hamptonkennedy.com)

HIGH STYLE As long as they were kicking me off the judging panel, the Style Cup did it in the nicest way possible by honoring me for my contributions to the Austin style scene. I wept like a wayward beauty queen as Mix 94.7's Miss Kitty placed a custom-made crown adorned with twinkling lights and Valley of the Dolls swag on my head, while she, Rita Garza, and my dear Sister Margaret took turns roasting me from the podium. Miss Kitty and co-host KGSR's Kevin Finney even made fun of me, if you can imagine, by donning sunglasses onstage. In spite of that, I'll miss Kevin greatly when he moves to Seattle soon. The show was the best yet, a much larger, more glamorous affair, no longer taking place in a nightclub, but the ballroom of the Hyatt, and most of the salons seemed to be on the same page this year as far as understanding what was expected of them. Producers David Schneider, Natalie Watson, and Chelsy Binyon put together an excellent team and the most professional presentation yet. Running themes included glam rock, S&M, peacocks, aliens, Madonna's "Like a Virgin," and anti-Proposition 2 statements. A complete list of winners can be found at www.stylecupaustin.com, though I have to give special mention to Jose Luis Salon, whom I felt should get a special showmanship award; Salon Kerizma for remarkable imagination and visions of beauty; and for "Best Salon I've Never Heard Of," the winner is Visible Changes at Highland Mall (Vanessa, with all due respect to your employer, get yourself into a higher profile independent salon where you can really explore your talent).

A DOG'S LIFE The Average Jo Fashion Show went to the dogs this year, as it does every year, since it's a fundraiser for multiple dog-rescue organizations. But this year it was especially hard to try and resist the liquid eyes of our furry, four-legged friends because many of them came directly to us from the floodwaters of New Orleans. Frankly, the clothes and the models took a back seat to the canines and to the host, our next governor, Kinky Friedman (www.votekinky.com), who received hearty approval from the audience. Also appearing was the amiable and charming attorney and UT graduate Andy Brown, who is challenging Todd Baxter for state representative in the 2006 election. Go to Andy's Web site www.voteandy.com and give him your support.

TONIGHT! TONIGHT! The fabulous Help Clifford Help Kids Fundraiser for American YouthWorks is at La Zona Rosa tonight, Thursday, Oct. 20, 6pm. AYW is a nationally recognized organization that helps at-risk youth earn their high school diplomas and get job training in a safe and supportive environment. The dollars raised by this event are allocated to heighten the educational opportunities for AYW students. Hosted by KGSR's Jody Denberg and featuring incredible auction items, the event will have music by Del Castillo and scrumptious food from Güero's, Hoover's, Royers, Cooper's, Starlite, Threadgill's, Amuse Bouche Catering, Iron Works BBQ, Austin Land & Cattle, Kenichi, and Ruta Maya Coffee. Tickets are $100 at the door for the entire evening (standing room only), or $20 (first come, first served, as space permits) for the music-only portion of the evening (doors at 8:15pm). Call Susan Antone at 236-6912 or Marsha Milam at 472-3444 for other info… In addition, tonight, 7-10pm at the all new Keepers men's store at Sixth & Congress, the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, Keepers, and the Italian Trade Commission present Celebrazione Italiana!, featuring Italian wine and fashion, as well as food from Amuse Bouche, Castle Hill Cafe, Driskill Hotel, Rocco's Italian Grill, Starlite, Sam Dickey, Fleming's, and Mirabelle. Tickets are $40 and reservations can be made at www.winefoodfoundation.org or by calling 327-7555… Also reminding you that the Austin Museum of Art's fundraiser La Dolce Vita is tonight at Laguna Gloria. Tickets are $85 at the door. For further info, call 495-9224 or go to www.amoa.org.

CALENDAR Reminding you of the St. Thomas Boutique's glorious A Look for Love benefit for the Austin Children's Shelter, Saturday, Oct. 22. All pertinent info can be found at www.alookforlove.org or by calling ACS at 499-0090… And Wednesday, Oct. 26, is the Club de Ville Fall Fashion Extravaganza & Casino Night (benefiting Caritas). Featuring fashions from Blue Velvet, Estilo, Flipnotics, Legs Diamond, Shiki, Therapy, Upstairs, and Hem, and hors d'oeuvres by Starlite, tickets are $15 general (doors at 8pm), or $40 VIP (reception at 7pm), and available at participating salons as well as Pink Salon, Innu Salon, and CdV. Call Emily Fawcett at 220-9947 ([email protected]) for further info… It's Texas Excess time at Arthouse as co-chair goddesses the gorgeous Carla McDonald and the irresistible Julie Thornton present the Arthouse Texas Prize Party 2005 on Friday, Nov. 4. Wear your biggest 10-gallon hat, tallest boots, biggest hair, and best jewels as we relive the glory days of J.R. Ewing and Dallas as Arthouse awards a $30,000 gift to a worthy nominee. We'll chat again about this soon, but in the meantime, go to www.arthousetexas.org for more info.