Their S/S 2013 titled “Bohemian Romance,” featured flowy silhouettes, cute prints and crochet textures all which played a significant role to create an effortless and fresh vibe. Elements of white and orange were included in looks – a nod to their “Fall Game Day” collection in honor of local UT fans. My favorite looks were the asymmetrical shoulder maxi dress and printed shorts and pants-which I think are a MUST in upcoming hot summer months.
Three07 is light on the wallet with prices ranging from $40 for tops and up to $80 for dresses. For more information and a list of Three07 retailers go to
Three07.com or check out their online boutique at
Obaz.com.
There was another southern-based brand in the house that evening:
Pearl Southern Couture. The ‘proudly made in the USA’ brand was launched in 2008 by
Amber Perley. Inspired by the charm and culture of the deep south and wanted to create a line to convey that lifestyle. Perley explained that every collection tells a story and is inspired by a different southern city or person. The inspiration for her S/S 2013 collection was everything sweet, along with Bow Wow Wow’s 1982 hit “I Want Candy."
The sweet combination of the catchy upbeat music and the parade of perky models wearing darling dresses, flaunting sunglasses and gaint lollipops made for a great show.
Pearl Southern Couture is perfect for the gal wanting to look chic but doesn’t want to break the bank, with prices ranging from $50-230 retail.
Vian Hunter
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| Vian Hunter |
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| Vian Hunter |
I first saw
Fashion Star's Lisa Vian Hunter’s collection during last year's AFW and have been a fan ever since. Consisting of 50s and 60s inspired dresses, tops and skirts, Hunter's S/S 2013 collection was blast from the past. Top looks from the collection were the techno and green print ‘Ava’ dresses (inspired by 1958) and the plaid ‘Suzy’ dresses with their chic silhouette and vintage timelessness.
Scouring the world (notably Belgium and Italy) for modern and fun fabrics, Hunter creates beautiful and effortless pieces that women will want to wear season after season
in her boutique- Vian Hunter House of Fashion- located in Seattle. The line is proudly made in the USA. Hunter will be debuting her bridal collection later this year, so stay tuned!
Average price points for the collection range from $195-395. Check out
VianHunter.com for additional information.
RVN
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| RVN |
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| RVN |
Following a short intermission, guests had the pleasure of being introduced to RVN. Currently sold at
Young and Fabulous in the Hill Country Galleria, RVN was launched in 2011 by designer
Ted Kim. Inspired by the creative and pulsating art, music and fashion vibes of New York City, Kim then translates this energy into collections that “are the street art to the backdrop of an urban landscape sizzling with creativity: where dreams are made, stars are born, and where rules are made to be broken.”
The black/white striped flared dress was a hit with this blogger as the cut is perfect and flattering. I can pair it with a bright blazer or bold statement necklace with a basic heel OR dressed down with a simple flat or sandal. The designs are classic yet have an artistic, edgy vibe. The patterns (both printed and cut-out) create a energetic story on their canvases while radiating a positive artistic flow.
Prices range from $175-475 and you can follow their latest looks on the
RVN Facebook page.
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| Ross Bennett |
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Ross Bennett
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Ross Bennett
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Telling the story of a woman who's day began at the office, to a lunch out with friends, to end a red carpet event, Bennett's S/S 2013 collection maintained a general cohesiveness - staying in tune with neutrals with additional bold highlights, such as rose and gold. I am a fan the black/gold hi/low dress and the gold (very Studio 54-inspired in my opinion) strapless dress. "Forward enough for a college woman but conservative enough for a mom," Bennett strives to maintain an aesthetic that is classic and yet youthful.
Titled, “The Classical Chaos” designer Ross Bennett was inspired by his wife’s fast-paced lifestyle.“The creative drive that as an artist I need to be able to hone into came from the juxtapositions of wanting a calm environment but having a “hustle and bustle” of a life," Bennett tells The Stylist Handbook, "I drew comfort knowing that great designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent created some of their best work when their lives were utterly turned up-side-down. I wanted to move away from the traditional Ross Bennett Collection look of pretty and everyday to a more sensuous and daring look.”
Launching his collection in 2008 by with wife Erin, Bennett has set out to create classic, custom tailored garments that fit into the modern woman's lifestyle, while also maintaining a Southern influence. As Bennett states, “As the business grows, my team and I are adamant about providing a personalized experience for each and every client. We believe clothing should be recognized as a piece of art, with each piece having its own story to tell. Providing our clients with classic, versatile sense of style that can be worn for decades we are building the next great American fashion empire, ‘getting things done, one stitch at a time.’”
Often seen wearing his signature tailored suit, gloves and bow tie, this Fashion Star alum is quickly becoming and Austin favorite. Stylish clients include, Kara Swinney, wife of AFW founder Matt Swinney - who donned a stunning custom Ross Bennett dress.
Prices range from $300 for skirts for $3,000 for an evening gown. Ross Bennett also offers custom bridal gowns and couture pieces. Bennett is also working with
Blue Avocado, designing their mens 2013 American Designer Series which will be available on Amazon.com. For additional information and to shop the collection, go to
RossBennettCollection.com.
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| Lilly Lorraine |
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| Lilly Lorraine |
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| Lilly Lorraine |
Austin-based
Lilly Lorraine was launched in March 2012 by Christi Craven during Style X at SxSW, where she received rave reviews for two garments that she designed and created a textile for, called BAMBLI. Craven explains that “this unique textile utilizes both the soft texture and breath-ability of bamboo, and the warmth of wool to make wonderfully comfortable and stylish winter ensembles.” The technique she used still has a patent pending and the name BAMBLI is in the process of being trademarked.
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| Lilly Lorraine |
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| Lilly Lorraine |
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| Lilly Lorraine |
The Fall 2013 collection is called “Rendezvous in the Moonlight” and is inspired by “the neutral tones and textures revealed by the moonlight upon the beauty of the earth’s natural architecture. Surprises revealed by the cast of a moonbeam or gust of wind reveals color, texture and flowing movement that awakening the sense of romance beyond the night’s shadows.”
All I really have to say is that this blogger is a fan of
everythinnggggg in the collection! Lilly Lorraine has since been worn on Grammy Winner Esperanza Spalding,
The Bachelor’s Kacie Boguskie, singer Teresa Williams and Susan Walker. They have also been featured in numerous local and national publications. For more information and to pre-order garments (prices range from $150-1,200), please go to
LillyLorraineinc.com.
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| Daniel Esquivel |
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| Daniel Esquivel |
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| Daniel Esquivel |
The finale show for the evening was awarded to
Daniel Esquivel- whom you may know from watching season 11 of
Project Runway. Daniel’s passion for fashion started at an early age and has since blossomed into a burgeoning career, as he’s been designing Austin’s elite for several years now. His inspiration for the AFW collection came from when he was dancing to “Double Dutchess”- a fabulous group that is based in San Francisco. The collection was comprised of womenswear and a few menswear looks that were all about being happy and free. My favorite looks from the show were the voluminous black/white polka-dot gown, the yellow/black romper, the short red flare dress and the light pink/silver tiered flowy dress. I’m excited to see what Mr. Esquivel has in store for the future, though I just hope it doesn’t involve a tee paired with a bikini. You can ‘fan’ Daniel on his
Facebook Fan Page and stay up to date with any news and happenings.
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| Daniel Esquivel |
Thanks for the fun evening Austin! To stay up-to-date on further Austin Fashion Week events and such, please go
HERE.
Fashionably,
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Heather Petrey of LAFashionSnob with Designer Daniel Esquivel
Fashion Contributor |
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