fall fashion
Seen on the runway: Ombré, vests, fur and more share the spotlight at TribezaFashion Show
The magazine's biggest event of the year, Tribeza hosted its annual Fashion Show last night at the The Bob Bullock Museum to a packed house of 750 guests. Austin is often criticized for its lack of opportunities to dress up, sit front row and "see and be seen" in the name of fashion, but Thursday's well-designed event left little room for complaint.
From the chandeliers positioned at the end of the 62-foot runway to the smart, blunt bangs on each model, Tribeza showed just what can be done with the Austin fashion market.
Rather than over-stretching and attempting to keep up with global Fashion Weeks by scouring the city for Spring/Summer 2012 looks (the offerings just wouldn't be there), the fashions shown were fall and winter appropriate and currently available in-store. In other words, the participating boutiques reap the immediate benefit of their merchandise being shown one night and in store the next.
Some boutiques stood out more than the rest—in particular, By George, MOSS & Feathers Vintage, Julian Gold and Kendra Scott. Recently rebranded, By George flexed its modern muscles with a mix of mens- and womenswear by the likes of Dries Van Noten, Celine and Lanvin. The first look sent down the runway by MOSS & Feathers Vintage stole the show, rustling up applause from the crowd when the model took her turn at the end of the runway and exposed the sheer-back of her full-length kimono paired with fringed hot pants.
Julian Gold, often overlooked by the younger crowd as a source of edgy fashion, impressed with several unexpected boho-chic ensembles, including one sheer floor-length, creme embroidered gown by Anna Sui. Perhaps the most surprising portion of the runway show was devoted to Kendra Scott—a jewelry designer. Models walked the runway in understated, monochromatic dresses so as not to distract from the intricate neck, shoulder and back pieces they wore, designed by Scott.
Across the board, outerwear (including capelets), gloves, fur and a huge array of vests stood out as the major trends.
The models—all of Wallflower Management out of Dallas—were given a cohesive look, inspired by the ombré hair-coloring technique that has swept across stylish streets this year. Jose Luis Salon concepted half-wigs with heavy bangs in a contrasting color from the models' natural hair. Brunettes became blondes, blondes turned red, and redheads went raven.
More sequins were seen in the seats than on the runway; attendants didn't dare miss the rare opportunity to gussy themselves up. And through the entirety of the thirty-minute show, the crowd giddily looked on, taking mental notes of where to shop this season, delighted to be a part of such a distinctive, yearly event.