By Jake Gaines Photography courtesy of Partners Card
Rachel Michell, Nina Sachse and Stephanie Seay
We love that the Dallas-based family violence
agency, The Family Place, is gearing up for another exciting year of Partners Card with their annual Seller
Soirée event. Recently, this
year’s event took place at the new Alexandre Birman store at NorthPark Center. The evening kicked
off the card selling season and recognized the 2019 card sellers and sponsors
that make it possible to continue the premier fundraiser each year.
Mandy Austin, Paige Flink and Julie Bosche
Inside the jewel-box of a store, Partners Card
Co-Chairs Rachel Michell, Nina Sachse and Stephanie Seay, along with Honorary Chair Robert
Weatherly, mingled with almost 100 guests
in attendance. A longtime favorite cause, now in its 27th
year, the annual fundraiser has accumulated a steady group of longtime and
loyal supporters. The event has raised over $1 million for The Family Place in
recent years, a goal the 2019 team plans to reach as they “Save Money &
Save Lives!”
Danielle Digeralamo, Lexie Aderhold and Dallas Swedlund
Of course, guests
enjoyed sips and bites from Proper Catering while shopping inside the stylish spot
and admiring the Brazilian designer’s stunning selection of shoes. Outside the shopping
center sat a beautiful car from Audi Dallas, the event’s automotive sponsor. Attendees picked up gift bags filled
with goodies from NorthPark Center retailers.
Courtney Underwood and Melissa Sherrill
You likely know that NorthPark Center is the
top shopping center sponsor of the fundraiser and has hosted a Partners Card
party for over ten years. The shopping center boasts over 70 retailers and
restaurants who will be offering generous holiday discounts from October 25 –
November 3, 2019. In fact, customers who purchase a $70 Partners Card receive a
20% discount at retailers and a 10% discount at restaurants. Over 750
participants from all over the DFW metroplex will partner with The Family Place
this fall. The Card is a direct donation to The Family Place and equates to
providing one night of safety for a victim of family violence at the
organization’s shelters, as the co-chairs reminded the crowd.
It was a perfect September night at Ivy Hall in Southtown San Antonio last week, with the view of the Tower of Americas through the palm trees serving as a picturesque backdrop for a celebration and reception in honor of our 2018 and 2019 Texas Women to Watch.
A feature we published in partnership with ELEANORA to highlight women across our great state who stand out as leaders within their communities, we welcomed honorees who traveled from Dallas, San Angelo, Austin, and beyond to gather in-person and meet their power-peers on the feature list.
The women in attendance were encouraged to bring family and friends with them, to give those who support their careers and passions a chance to celebrate too. Tim McDiarmid, a featured Woman to Watch and owner of Tim the Girl catering, hosted the event at her Ivy Hall venue with food and cocktails by The Good Kind, her restaurant on property.
In keeping with the theme of community, and the inspired hint of nostalgia, guests were encouraged to take the photos documenting memories of the night on disposable film cameras that were scattered throughout the venue.
The result? Proof that even in our fast-paced digital age where we can connect with others on-line, the in-person relationships will always make a lasting impact. To read the individual stories in the 2019 Texas Women to Watch feature, click here for more.
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography courtesy of Leatherology
Rank & Style’s Dalton Young, Jamie Chandlee and Beth Newill
Recently, Rank & Style Founders Jamie Chandlee, Beth Zerdecki and Dalton Young welcomed Leatherology and brand founders, Rae Liu and David Liu, to Austin, with a private luncheon at Launderette. Pals of the trio gathered to celebrate the debut of Leatherology’s mobile Monogram Trunk–which is hitting the road this fall alongside the launch of their new fall colors.
Leatherology’s Rae Liu and David Liu
We love the designs of the brand’s new Electric Blue, which we are wild about, as well as an Austin-inspired print that honors the town’s spirit, were the first to launch on this debut leg of the brand’s roadshow. The Austin-inspired print is limited-edition and screened by hand, of course.
Leatherolgy’s Electric Blue accessories
Throughout
the gathering, guests were invited to customize a Leatherology accessory featuring
the just-introduced print, while experiencing the brand’s new and exclusive mobile
monogramming trunk. Leatherology, which is known for its high-quality leather
bags and accessories, had a monogrammer onsite for guests to enjoy the brand’s
process firsthand, while offering custom stamping and debossing of select
items.
LEFT: Suzanne Droese, David Liu, Cami Wright. RIGHT: Carl Effenson and Kelle Knight
It was an interactive lunch since the founders of Leatherology, brother sister duo Rae Liu and David Liu, guided guests through the personalization process. As an homage to the brand’s new products, the host venue Launderette was decked out with Leatherology merchandise in one of the brand’s fall signature colors, Electric Blue. This direct-to-consumer brand is known for its superior personalization, down to the finest of details. Each of Leatherology’s designs (for both men and women) are personalized the old-school way–from hand-pressed monograms using heated brass dies, to hand-painted lettering. For more information on the chic Leatherology products, visit Leatherology.com
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography courtesy of L’BRI Pure ‘n Natural Products and author’s own
Since this is our
wedding issue, we wanted to devote some time to our male readers. Whether you’re
the groom with your special day, or it’s just another Tuesday in Texas, looking
your best reflects feeling your best.
Men’s grooming products can be confusing…and it can be a jungle out there
with all the potions, lotions and notions making promises for better skin in
moments. While many products are indeed worthy, and live up to their reputation
(and price), we’ve found a new alternative: L’BRI Pure ‘n Natural.
We have found a difference for the
first time we used the product. In fact, we saw and felt an immediate
difference. When L’BRI specialist Christine Cox Aubin contacted me and recommended
the products to try, I could tell L’BRI was special. “It’s the healing power of
aloe that you feel,” she said. “It’s all natural, and as you know, what goes on
your skin goes into your blood system, so why shouldn’t it be as natural as
possible?”
In fact, aloe barbadensis (the “best of the best” among aloe species) is the first ingredient in L’BRI’s skin care, hair and body products. Most skin care products on the market use water as first ingredient filler, which is very drying and dilutes. Plus, the natural vitamins, herbs, sea plants and botanicals formulated to heal, nurture and rejuvenate the skin. According to the folks at L’BRI, the products contain no drying alcohols, no parabens, pore-clogging waxes or heavy oils, and no artificial colors. Aubin goes on to say, “I’ve used expensive products my entire life. Not only is L’BRI better than them, it also offers more value.”
From the morning shave to shower to busy day…and a final face wash at the end of a long day, I could tell my skin looked—and felt—healthier. I look forward to using L’BRI to help me turn back the hands of time, thwart sun damage and to help me keep putting my best face forward. Here are a few of the products to try…with more information and ordering that can be found at www.lbri.com/Christine.
The Hand & Body Lotion for Men: $17.25
Lightweight hand and body lotion formulated distinctly for men
to relieve dryness and heal rough, calloused skin. This aloe vera enriched body
lotion is formulated with antioxidants, fruit extracts, vitamins and botanicals
to help skin feel healthy and smooth. 8 oz.
The Body Wash for Men: $17.95
Ideal for bath or shower to thoroughly cleanse away daily grime
and impurities. This enriched body wash is formulated with antioxidants, fruit
extracts, vitamins and botanicals to leave skin feeling revitalized. The natural
masculine scents of bergamot and patchouli leave skin feeling fresh and
smelling great. 8 oz.
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography
courtesy of Columbia Pictures and New Republic Pictures
Taron Egerton in Rocket Man
There’s nothing like beating the
heat and ducking into a cool movie theater to catch a summer flick. The bonus? If
the film has style that inspires. Likley, or we wouldn’t be there.
Leonardo Di Caprio and Brad Pitt in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Here are a couple of films we
recommend: Rocket Man, the bio pic
about Elton John starring Taron Egerton, set mostly in the 1970s and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood starring
Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio set in 1969.
We’re smelling a revival trend aren’t you?
Leonardo Di Caprio in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
The style of the late 60s was
more hippie than Carnaby Street. The 70s was more disco than hippie, so go
figure. Both eras reflected the political, cultural and social upheaval that
was happening. Sound familiar?
Take a look at more of these looks from our favorite summer films and start your own style revolution….
Taron Egerton in Rocket Man
Brad Pitt and Leonardo Di Capri in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
By Gordon
Kendall Photography courtesy of Doyle
Auctions
Oleg Cassini and Grace Kelly, 1954
The scene: the gated Long Island mansion…a Gramercy Park townhouse…and, of course, a small fleet of luxury cars to go with them. If living well is, indeed, the best revenge, then the lifestyle of the late fashion designer Oleg Cassini is a case study in how it should be done. Cut to: Doyle Auctions is counting on those who live well…or just look like they do…and fashion aficionados to be lured to the June 27th auction of the contents of the late designer’s Oyster Bay estate, Moorelands, ready to bid. Likely, there will be the curious who will want to see firsthand, perhaps own, even a small part of his world and, by doing so, be even more enchanted by the mystique of the man himself.
His name was Oleg Aleksandrovich Loiewski, the son of a Russian countess, from whom he took the name Count Oleg Cassini. He died at age 92 in 2006 and matters of his estate remain uncertain. Yet, generations of latter-day mall and discount shoppers may know Cassini from the great many products bearing his name, as he licensed practically an entire department store worth of fragrances, clothing, accessories, housewares, and other items, that were eponymous. The Jackie generation, however, will know him as the man who dressed Camelot’s famous queen, Jacqueline Kennedy. As such, the client-designer duo were the ultimate fashion “influencers” in the United States of the early 1960s. From couture image maker to off-the-rack impresario, Cassini is generally acknowledged to have been a business success in both worlds. He is also acknowledged to have done all of it with…such style.
In My Own Fashion is Cassini’s 1987
appropriately named autobiography and in it he stated the cinema-esque European
world he came from, with: a tuxedo, a
tennis racquet, and talent. The usually tan, almost always trim Cassini
parleyed those and the hereditary title of Count, with his own admitted luck, drive,
determination, and, it must be said, considerable charm with the ladies to
build his fashion empire. It helped that he was photogenic, as were the many
woman famous women with whom he dressed, or was romantically linked throughout
his life. These included, of course, Jackie Kennedy, who arguably established
the platform from which his later career in licensing flourished. Marilyn
Monroe and Grace Kelly, were other fashion icons with whom he was associated
after his 1941 marriage to (yet another) actress, Gene Tierney.
After decades on the social scenes of
Washington, New York, Hollywood, and, yes, Houston, Texas (where his daughters
with Tierney made their debuts after her subsequent remarriage), in fact, on
the social scenes of just about everywhere, it could be said he was the
embodiment of a jet-setting playboy businessman.
The true stories behind all his romances may
never be fully known. His fashion legacy as among the very first American
fashion designer to license his name continues into today. The final outcome of
his estate remains uncertain over a decade after his death, thanks to warring
family factions. It, however, fair to say the Doyle auction will certainly be a
barometer of Oleg Cassini’s enduring legend as a tastemaker.
Cassini sketches for Jackie Kennedy
Prospective bidders have an opportunity to peruse
Cassini’s version of The Good Life. The antique suits of armor, French and English
furniture and a plethora of Cassini’s household, personal, and apparel items,
many of which bear the scrawling signature of the designer; he used and wore
his own products. The fashion memorabilia available include some
Cassini-designed dresses; however, the ephemera items of letters from his most
famous client (and her sister, Princess Lee Radizwill), workroom and production
notes, tear sheets, and annotated photographs. These provide insight into the
relationship between designer and Jackie Kennedy. Both were aware of the power
of image and neither left to chance how much she…and in turn he…would be
scrutinized, praised, or criticized for any and all decisions made about her
apparel, including their selection of her shoes and handbags.
A piece from Cassini’s auction
Much of the 750 lots offered for sale would
feel right at home in many Lone Star residences. Even if perhaps a bit dated
and the whiff of faded gentility, such items as the estate’s outdoor furniture
and sporting goods speak as much to a life of casual elegance, while the heraldic
coat of arm banners would be graceful interior additions. The many sets of
dishes offered indicate entertaining was as important to Cassini as it is to
hospitable Texans.
The legend of Cassini, the sorcerer who crafted
the image of some of the world’s most famous fashion icons, is sure to enchant
these items offered of what remains of his stylish world and remind us he was
among the American tastemakers of his time. Fade to black of a life well-lived.
