Meet the Stylemakers
Austin's most stylish man and woman revealed: Meet the 2016 Stylemaker winners
The time has come to reveal the winners of our second annual CultureMap Stylemaker Awards, celebrating the most stylish people in Austin.
In September, we introduced you to the 12 semifinalists, nominated by our savvy readers and selected by a panel featuring CultureMap editors and 2015 readers' choice winner Shelley Neuman. From those semifinalists, six finalists emerged: Gillian Driscoll, Brittany Merida, Viraj Patel, Megan Runser, Lamar Sanchez, and Carly Uson.
Before they moved on to the final round of public voting, we treated each to a photo shoot with Austin photographer Jessica Pages. We also scooped up some style secrets from the bunch that you can read here — but now onto the reveal.
Who's the most stylish of them all? Meet the 2016 CultureMap Stylemaker winners, chosen by our readers and panel, below.
Readers' choice winner: Lamar Sanchez
There's no denying that this Austin entertainer has eye-catching style. He received an overwhelming 60 percent of the vote to be named the 2016 readers' choice winner.
Born in Belize City but raised in Austin, Lamar says his idiosyncratic style has developed naturally. He effortlessly blends tailored Ralph Lauren suits with Dr. Martens for what can only be described as a standout, trendsetting look. "He's not afraid to push boundaries and definitely has the modern dandy look down," says 2015 readers' choice winner Shelley Neuman.
Editors' choice winner: Megan Runser
Megan's fashion story is an inspirational one. Her love of fashion continued to shine even as she battled and beat Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 2014, she partnered with BaubleBar on the As Good As Gold collection, which benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The Kendra Scott brand manager's secret to being stylish? "Wear what makes you happy, regardless of what a magazine or a blog says is 'cool' to wear," she says. "I proudly rocked a ridiculous(ly awesome) sequin kimono jacket over my hospital gown with my chemo machine dragging behind me while in isolation for my bone marrow transplant. Having my inner style shine through helped me feel more like me during a time when I barely recognized or felt like myself."