Austin Fashion Week blurred into my next big event, entitled “Cowboy Chic”, on August 5th at a wonderful boutique, Beyond Tradition, in Austin’s 2nd Street District.
Event Poster by Grafix by Dell. Model Photography by La Pistola.
The evening featured Milli Starr and Deborah Main Designs, winner of Austin Fashion Week’s “Best Home Decor” award. DMD is known for its exquisite handmade pillows, including a collection using vintage souvenir scarves from Texas and other western states. The scarves have wonderful colors and motifs of bucking broncos, cowboys and cowgirls, cacti, and of course, landmarks and tourist destinations of yesteryear.
Deborah Main Designs
I spent the last 2 weeks of July blocking and finishing 12 parasisol straw western hats, in a myriad of colors and trims, from vintage metallic braids to peacock feathers and sequins.
Milli Starr western hat modeled by Rachel Elsberry
Hats, pillows, and traditional Southwestern turquoise and silver jewelry were modeled in a mini-fashion show; everyone indulged in food from III Forks and margaritas from Cantina Laredo, while enjoying live music from fiddle phenomena Ruby Jane Smith. “Cowboy Chic” was incredibly well-attended and loads of fun. Here’s a few more pics (courtesy of JoBelle Smith):
Model Jessa Peters
Model Christian Ramirez
Love this shot of a blue hat with feather band.
Ruby Jane in a ruby-red hat
I can’t believe I am actually joining the blogosphere. For those of you who know me, it’s immediately apparent that I am “old school” and shun most modern technology, fads, and social phenomenon like MySpace and Facebook. I wear mostly vintage; don’t have a television, an iPhone, or even a microwave. I am never happier than when practicing my profession, the nearly-lost art of traditional millinery. I make hats, headpieces, bridal veils, and fascinators. Gorgeous adornments made by hand, using a collection of antique wooden hat blocks, a vintage Jiffy millinery steamer, and a 1920’s hat stretcher.