Rock the Casbah: a North Loop Fashion Show.

Last night's Rock the Casbah Fashion Show represented upcoming fall trends, as well as the funkiest shopping district Austin has to offer: North Loop!

Not to be outdone by the recent shows from Austin Fashion Week, locally-owned shops Splendor, Green House, Forbidden Fruit, Ermine Vintage, Blue Velvet, and (my favorite Austin boutique) Blackbird Clothes & Curios all came out to parade their latest looks at Phara's outdoor patio.

Overall, the show was a real treat for a Monday night, and I enjoyed everything from the atmosphere to the free casbah cosmos, which were concocted with Cinco Vodka and made by Blackbird Clothes & Curios' Stacey and Eunice.

Because I took so many photos, I am splitting the entirety of the event into two posts. I hope y'all enjoy the photos I took; the looks are in (an almost complete) order, by boutique.

Splendor:I would sport a cape.

Greenhouse:Staria, with her younger sister.
Her hair reminds me of Stormy, the frenemy of 1980s cartoon Rainbow Brite.
Forbidden Fruit:
Corsets always have such a sexy attitude.
Ermine Vintage:
Somewhere between singer Adele and a 1940s pin-up girl.
Blue Velvet:
At first, I thought this monochromatic jumpsuit was a dress!
This gold, sheer dress was easily my favorite look of the evening!
Blackbird Clothes & Curios:Her bob reminds me of Irene Castle, the early 20th-century ballroom dancer.
This look had Roaring 20s glam all over it!
Sporting the one-suspender look like a true hipster would.
Later this week, I will post individual style photos from the show!

"13 Years" of Blackmail.

Gail Chovan, owner of Blackmail and designer of "13 Years".

On Friday, I had the honor of attending the debut of Austin designer Gail Chovan's newest collection.

Titled "13 Years", the exact number of years her boutique Blackmail has been open, Chovan dedicated the collection to the memory of her late father. Chovan further explained how the designs were a culmination of the past thirteen years. In her own life, the past thirteen years have included the birth of her children, breast cancer, a strengthening of her marriage, and the loss of her father.

The theme of "13 Years" was prevalent throughout the entire gathering: local musician Alejandro Escovdeo, a dear friend of Chovan's, even played a song before the show that was a favorite of Chovan's titled "13 Years".

Makeup was done my W3ll People.

A collection of original designs, I did not know what to expect from the owner of the nearly-monochromatic store. While black was predominantly featured, ivory was mixed in and sometimes even took over the look completely. The show was split into five different themes: Leather & Linen, Asiatique, Japan Meets Vivian, Toile Poeme (translates to "canvas poem"), and Dentelle Clarksville, and incorporated layers, sheers, feathers, and lace, among other visual textures.

I can't be certain of the segments through the following photos, but I hope you enjoy the photos as much I did the show. Here's to many more years of Gail Chovan and Blackmail!

Through the Decades Fashion Show.

Models after the Through the Decades Fashion Show.

Last Friday, September 10th, I had the privilege of sitting front-row at the Through the Decades Fashion Show at the Art Museum of Austin. Presented by the Art Institute of Austin's Event and Fashion Show Production Class of 2010, the show was comprised of 22 looks that spanned of a fashion timeline from the early 1900s to present day and beyond.

Before the show, I enjoyed delicious food provided by the culinary students from the Art Institute while listening to local band The FreeFlow.

Absolutely delish!

The FreeFlow played a medley of Bob Marley hits.

The show began at 7:30, and it was an absolute delight to be sitting in the front-row. As a definitive restrospect, the show was impressive, especially since the students only had 9 weeks to organize the event. Their hard work paid off, as I felt like I had gone on a journey through a fashion time capsule.

Enjoy going Through the Decades with these photos that were taken by Joe Gomez. Clothing, accessories, and shoes for the show were provided by local boutiques Blackbird, Buffalo Exchange, and Buckle.

1900s-inspired dress and jacket provided by Blackbird. 1920s: cream drop-waist mini-dress provided by Blackbird.1940s-styled button-down and vest from Buffalo Exchange. 1950s style polka-dot dress from Buffalo Exchange.60s retro maxi dress provided by Buffalo Exchange.
70s satin jumpsuit with pleated waist from Betsey Johnson.
1980s-inspired strapless gun print dress provided by Betsey Johnson. 1990s Grunge Era denim vest and plaid button-down from Buffalo Exchange. Futuristic Vagabond: brocade jacket designed by Kerstin Heitzke.
Shorts from Buffalo Exchange.
Stretch denim and liquid black romper designed by Kerstin Heitzke.

Special thanks to Joe Gomez. for the wonderful photos.