Fashion Week Dallas January 2012

The wait is finally over!  Move over New York, because Fashion Week Dallas is almost here!  Fashion Week Dallas is a major event for Dallas stylistas to not only celebrate fabulous American and British fashion, but to also inspire young people to get into the fashion industry.  January 16-22, 2012 will be filled with runway shows, the latest fashions, and chances to interact with fashion designers.  The man behind the event is Mahiri Takai, CEO of Mklinks Models, fashion show producer, and Fashion Editor for Dallas Weekly.  Takai says “fashion lovers will be in fashion heaven as they spend a stylish week in Dallas soaking up the latest in fashion design.”  Sounds like a fabulous time to me!  For more information, go to mklinksmodel.com or contact Mahiri Takai at mtakai@dallasweekly.com.  See you at Fashion Week Dallas!

 Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Another Jean Paul Gaultier Video

In this video, look for me around 1:30!  I am taking pictures in the background, I'm wearing a black jacket and tights with a creme colored top and a pink purse.  This video was filmed by Art&Seek at the press preview event.

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Jean Paul Gaultier DMA Youtube Videos!

This video was filmed when I was at the exclusive press preview event!

A commerical for the exhibit by the Dallas Museum of Art.  I love how Dallas is covered in Gaultier's French stripes!

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Gossip Girl Style: Blair and Serena

I'm totally obsessed with Blair and Serena's outfits from this week's "Gossip Girl" episode!

Photo Credit: Giovanni Rufino/The CW 2011 The CW Network

Photo Credit: Giovanni Rufino/The CW 2011 The CW Network

Photo Credit: Giovanni Rufino/The CW 2011 The CW Network

Fashion is not an Option
XOXO,
Alex

Small4Style at the Dallas Museum of Art with Jean Paul Gaultier!

Jean Paul Gaultier Comes to Dallas!

Jean Paul Gaultier made his first trip to Dallas a few weeks ago for the debut of his exhibition, “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.”  Dallas fashion show producer and fashion-icon Jan Strimple says “events preceding the public opening will cause Dallas's fashion community to collectively hyper-ventilate.”  Imagine my excitement to have the incredible opportunity of attending the press preview event for the exhibition in the company of Jean Paul Gaultier himself!  I was certainly hyper-ventilating, just like Jan said. 

French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier has been a forceful influence on fashion around the world.  Celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Madonna, and Lady Gaga are all Gaultier fans.  Gaultier redefines the definition of beauty.  He is “more attracted to something different” and likes women with “attitude.”  Gaultier talked a lot about his biggest inspiration: Marie, his grandmother.  When she was out of the house, he would look at her closet.  He was “fascinated” by her and her unique style.  It was a privilege hearing him speak in person.

I ran into editor-in-chief of LOLO Magazine and former SMUStyle blogger Lauren Scuggs at the press event.  We tried to get a picture with Monsieur Gaultier, but he was not doing personal photos.  We had a great time obsessing over Gaultier together!  Just seeing him was a thrill in itself, and Gaultier seemed delighted to be in Dallas to launch his exhibition.  When asked about what he thinks of Dallas style, he said, “I saw some women that were very elegant, super elegant.  And that were even more Parisian than some Parisians."  If there’s a style compliment higher than that, I don’t know what it is!  He sketched a greeting specifically for the Dallas Museum of Art goers.  It was a cowboy with the message, “For Dallas, With Love! Jean Paul Gaultier.”  I know this Stylista loves Jean Paul right back!

Me with Lauren Scruggs

Small4Style Interviews Thakoon

Me with Thakoon!  Photo Credit: Bo Joplin

Acclaimed fashion designer Thakoon Panichgul visited Dallas on Friday for a trunk show extravaganza.  Dallas stylistas and fans gathered at chic Dallas boutique Forty Five Ten to celebrate Thakoon’s spring 2012 collection.  Ten percent of sales from his collection will go to TwoxTwo for AIDS and Art, which benefits AIDS research and the Dallas Museum of Art.  I love it when fashionistas give back! 

You might remember Thakoon from the 2009 documentary The September Issue and from the runways at New York Fashion Week each season.  He was a recipient of the Vogue/CFDA Fund in 2006 and worked closely with Anna Wintour to launch his career in fashion.  Since then, his designs have been worn and admired by celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Demi Moore. 

I was lucky enough to meet Thakoon, and he’s so friendly, just as I had expected.  He was kind enough to answer some questions!  I asked Thakoon if he could describe his style in two words.  He said, “No…  No and no.”  I thought that was so funny!  I always like to know who and what successful fashion designers look to for inspiration.  For Thakoon, a style icon is someone he “looks to for style.” Interestingly, his biggest inspiration is “freedom.”

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

 

Small4Style Interviews Collier Strong

I met make-up artist Collier Strong in September!

We all know L’Oréal Paris is the force in bringing Project Runway fashions to life. L’Oréal Paris Consulting Makeup Artist, Collier Strong, visited Ulta in Arlington for the unveiling of the L’Oréal Paris and Project Runway exclusive cosmetics collection called “Colors Take Flight.” You’ve seen Collier behind the scenes on Project Runway, working with the designers to complete their runway looks. At Ulta, he worked his makeup magic on his fans and shared his expert makeup tips. I got the opportunity to meet Collier and chat with him. He was extraordinarily kind and engaging.

Mr. Strong was so busy that I only had a few moments to ask him questions, but he took his time and put a lot of thought into his answers. I love it when someone as successful and famous as Collier takes the time to be gracious to his fans. I asked him who his style icon is. He responded, “I have so many.” He loves his friend Diane Keaton’s quirky style. And Elizabeth Taylor is another style icon of his because of her fashionable beauty in the 1950’s. His favorite part about working on Project Runway is that it is so fast-paced. You have to be creative and “think quickly in very small amounts of time,” just like the designers that are competing. When I asked him who his favorite Project Runway designer is, he said, “They’re all my children. I can’t pick!” Good answer!

The “Colors Take Flight” collection is inspired by colors of exotic birds, which are translated into luxurious eye shadow, lipcolour, blush, and nail polish. Each eye shadow quad represents a different bird: Charming Cockatoo, Watchful Owl, Audacious Amazon, and Sultry Raven. So clever! My favorite look is the Watchful Owl, which includes metallic brown and gold eyes with red lips and pink blush. Classic and glamorous. You can purchase the collection at Ulta and at other retailers. But remember, it is limited-edition, so make sure to buy it now!

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Fashion's Night Out 2011 at Galleria Dallas

Angela Hudson, Me, Kathy O'Connor, Kristin Congas

Official FNO Merch

I went to FNO at the Galleria in September!  The main event of Fashion’s Night Out didn’t disappoint.  The longest runway in North America, produced by Jan Strimple, was the place to be at last night’s FNO extravaganza.  Well, actually, you could be at lots of places in the Galleria and still experience the runway show.  Some of the models looked a little out of breath after sashaying this quarter mile runway in the latest fall clothing, shoes, and accessories.  It was exciting to be a part of this fabulous celebration of fashion and charity benefits, as well – according to Rachel Zoe, 40% of proceeds from the official FNO collection go to the New York City AIDS fund.

Nordstrom was my favorite FNO destination.  Personal stylists and makeup experts gave Dallas stylistas glam makeovers.  Customers were greeted by Nordstrom department managers who announced $500 gift card winners every 30 minutes.  Fierce fashionistas were striking their best supermodel poses all night long at the Nordstrom red carpet photo area.  Live models posed in the Nordstrom window displays.  So neat!  And I made sure to snag all my favorite official FNO merch early!

Other participating Galleria stores included Saks Fifth Avenue, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors, and Brahmin, featuring giveaways, discounts, and after-hours shopping.  Local Dallas celebrities were scattered throughout the city.  I ran into Karl Marshall, Dallas fashion show producer during the runway show.  The Galleria Dallas did a phenomenal job hosting Fashion’s Night Out.  One more reason to look forward to FNO 2012!

Me with Karl Marshall

FNO Display at Nordstrom

Gloves!

Live Model Window Display at Nordstrom

My favorite look of the night

Twins on the runway

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Black Friday Crazy-ness

I'm sooo sad

I mistakenly went to Black Friday at 5:00 AM.  I was so excited to shop at the new H&M at Northpark because I've always been a huge fan.  Well, they didn’t open til 7:00 and apparently forgot to tell their customers about this decision to open 2 hours later.  Obviously it was their first Black Friday, because they handled it so poorly. 

It wasn’t just the false advertising that bothered me, I was disappointed with the selection.  All they had on sale were plain basics, nothing exciting.  Plus they only had extra small sizes.  I only got a few accessories, even though they are cute, it so wasn’t worth the 4 hour ordeal.

I’m not going to Black Friday at H&M next year. 

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Small4Style Interviews Tyra Banks

What would a runway show be without a Top Model?  Tyra Banks, international model and media personality held a Q&A and book signing at Barnes & Noble in Southlake for her new teen fiction novel, Modelland.  I have been a fan of America’s Next Top Model and the famous “smize” for as long as I can remember.  It was so exciting to see her in person and get a chance to ask her a few questions.

Tyra started America’s Next Top Model because she wanted to choose the models she feels should be in the fashion industry – the quirky and different models.  She offered some great pieces of advice for those wanting to break into the modeling industry.  She said you have to be “super thick-skinned” to make it as a model.  And, you have to be willing to wear clothes you don’t like 80% of the time.  Luckily, Tyra never gets nervous on her shows or on the runway.  She said she is “really like a drag queen inside.” 

I asked Tyra to describe her style in two words.  She said, “Whatever’s close.  Clothes don’t excite me.  What excite me are the people in the clothes.”  I thought it was a very funny answer, but appropriate because she is inspired by girls and has built her career as an icon for aspiring models.  And when I asked her “who is your fashion icon?” she said she would love to “hijack” Blake Lively’s wardrobe from Gossip Girl. 

One fan asked her how long she will be doing ANTM, and Tyra said “As long as you want to watch it!”  Good to know.  She has changed over 200 young models’ lives by putting them in the running towards becoming America’s Next Top Model.  Tyra’s personal favorite cycles are 1 and 17, which is the current “All-Stars” cycle.  “All-Stars” is amazing, by the way.  Let me tell you, I know I’ll be watching ANTM for a long time!

Fashion is not an Option

                          XOXO,

                          Alex

Small 4 Style Interviews Dallas style-icon Jan Strimple at FNO

Photo Credit: G.J. McCarthy, Dallas Morning News

*Originally posted on SMUStyle.com in September 2011 before Fashion's Night Out.

One of the most exciting events were the quarter-mile runway shows at the Galleria Dallas produced by Jan Strimple, premier Dallas fashion event producer.  She is world-renowned, having worked with Bob Mackie, Carolina Herrera, Rodarte, and Project Runway designers Daniel Vosovic and Shirin Askari.

Like all good SMU freshmen, I was diligently doing my homework when I got a phone call from Ms. Strimple herself!  She had a million things to do before the models walked the longest runway in North America, so it was so kind of her to talk to a Stylista like myself. 

Jan Strimple got involved with FNO this year after being contacted by the Galleria Dallas marketing team.  This was the first year the Galleria is doing such a large-scale production for FNO, and a quarter-mile runway event is a fabulous way to celebrate this fashionable event in a big way.  And with the experience and expertise of Jan Strimple, this was no doubt the place to be on Fashion’s Night Out.  Unsurprisingly, Ms. Strimple is familiar with super-long runway productions.  She produced a block-long runway show on Chicago’s Oak Street where the entire street was staged for a runway presentation.

Jan Strimple is a serious force in the Dallas fashion world.  When I asked her to tell me one thing anyone who wants to work in the fashion industry should know, she eagerly responded, “I actually have three things.”  She stressed that “you must have stamina, or this is not the industry for you.”  In addition, she has seen people fail because they love shopping and don’t understand the path to the glamorous results is a lot of hard work and creative work.  She says that people who are successful in the fashion industry know the history of the industry and where it is now, but more importantly, they understand where it is going, the “projected future.”  And those who are truly successful are a part of this projected future in the fashion industry. 

According to Ms. Strimple, Stylistas should get ready for fall with collegiate plaid!  Jan suggests mixing two “violently opposing” plaids to create a fun fall look.  Add leopard boots and other animal prints to make your plaid look “exotic and unexpected.” 

I was so impressed with Ms. Strimple’s confident answers.  It’s evident that she is someone who is skilled and enthusiastic about what she does.  Her fashion icon is the unique fashionista Daphne Guinness.  When I asked her to describe her style in two words, she said without hesitation, “That’s easy: Avant-Garde.”  I love it!

Thanksgiving Style

Happy Thanksgiving!  I don't know about you stylistas, but I'm hanging with my family, giving thanks, and  looking fashionable.  I'm resting up for Black Friday shopping tomorrow!

I bought this outfit in Paris, France at Zara.  I think the citrus fruits are so Parisian!  The faux leopard fur coat is from Nordstrom, a must for this season.  It reminds me of Blair Waldorf’s Stella McCartney outfit on Gossip Girl.

Gossip Girl Photo Credit: PA/bauergriffinonline.com

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Welcome to Small4Style!

Hi Stylistas!  My name is Alex Small and I’m the Small4Style blogger.  I got into the blogging world this year as a blogger for SMUStyle.com.  I’m a trendsetter, Dallasite, and serious stylista.  I have access to some of the biggest names in fashion, and go to the most exclusive events to give you the inside story.  Stay tuned for more fabulous interviews, party posts, and trend predictions.   

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex