Shirley MacLaine, Kendra Scott, Richard Linklater, Robert Rodriguez and more fete Texas Film Awards

http://www.chron.com/life/society/slideshow/Texas-Film-Awards-2017-142337.php

Shirley MacLaine thinks that the city of Austin should build a wall. Not necessarily to keep people out, but to protect the artists who live within the city limits from themselves.She pleaded her case before a sold-out crowd at the 17th annual Texas Film Awards.

"Art is probably man's attempt to preserve his imagination against time," she said upon receiving both the Star of Texas Award for the film "Terms of Endearment" and a lifetime achievement award presented by famed filmmaker Richard Linklater."Shirley, we consider you an honorary Texan," Linklater said of MacLaine's three highly acclaimed Texas-filmed projects. Memories of Fort Worth native Bill Paxton, who passed away last month, were another highlight of the gala which kicked off the South by Southwest 2017 Film, Interactive, and Music Festival on Thursday, March 9.

Rain wasn't in the fete's forecast, though in the end, the slight drizzle made little difference. Stars - from the small and big screens, stage, and more - shone big and bright inside the Austin Film Society's production studio number seven. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez - a surprise guest for most event-goers - led a powerful tribute for Paxton, his friend and "great actor." Rodriguez introduced the video of Paxton's humorous acceptance speech upon being inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame a few years ago. "Being from Texas, it has its currency," Paxton says in the clip.Rodriguez and Paxton first met on the set of "Titanic" while Rodriguez was visiting his friend James "Jim" Cameron. "Bill worked hard at making it look easy," Rodriguez said. Emotional videos of Kevin Bacon and Tom Cruise sharing their favorite memories with Paxton streamed overhead during dinner service.

http://society.blog.austin360.com/2017/02/23/soaking-up-the-glamour-of-the-texas-medal-of-arts/

PHOTO: Eloise DeJoria and Lance Avery Morgan at Texas Medal of Arts preview party under the new canopy at The Contemporary Downtown. Michael Barnes/American-Statesman

I could have chilled all night. And still have chilled some more.

These days, I’m looking for the exit earlier and earlier at Austin affairs. Chalk it up to social supersaturation.

Not this night. Or nights, if you include the preview party, and I do.

The Texas Medal of the Arts started and ended with big doses of luminous glamour. Dance great Debbie Allen hosted. Singer Vikki Carr was among the celebrities who introduced the honorees on the Bass Concert Hall stage.

RELATED: A-List: Texas Medal of Arts awards red carpet at Bass Concert Hall.

Although singer-songwriter Kenny Rogers — serenaded with his own songs by a scrum of fantastic musicians — took home the Lifetime Achievement Award from Texas Cultural Trust, let’s face it, all 13 awards were for lifetime achievement.

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/bryan-mays-talks-oscars-fashion/415602737

(Photo: Bryan Mays and Lance Avery Morgan)

The Society Diaries Editor-In-Chief Lance Avery Morgan was on hand once again this year to share some of the post-Academy Awards runway fashion re-cap with noon anchor Bryan Mays.

The hits? The misses? There were plenty of both and with all the festivities happening before, during and after the awards - who could forget? According to Morgan and the latest issue of The Society Diaries, the dresses were on trend and in style.

http://www.susanscovill.com/2016/12/ellas-grove/

On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Ella’s Grove, an eclectic women’s clothing store in Haverford Square, hosted its annual Men’s Night shopping event. Attendees stopped by with lists of ”naughty or nice” gift items and made their choices. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served. Owner Fran D’Ambrosio brings a love of design and a passion for beauty to Ella’s Grove. For almost 30 years, Fran has played many roles in the world of fashion, most notably as proprietor of acclaimed boutiques in both Connecticut and The Hamptons and now on the Main Line in Haverford Square.

http://austinsocialplanner.com/recap-dell-childrens-believe-gala/

This past Saturday the Spring 2017 gala season was kicked off in fine fashion as Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation held its Believe Gala, benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center. The annual event, held at the Austin Convention Center, raised close to $1.5 million dollars.

Chaired by Emily and Joe Price, the evening began with a grand cocktail party on the ground floor that transitioned into an enormous dinner upstairs. The program, as always, focused on families who have been personally affected by health issues and how Dell Children’s has become such a vital part of our healthcare community.

Among the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit, which will provide comprehensive mental health services. In this unit, child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists will treat conditions such as eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

http://blog.chron.com/coolkids/2016/10/15/fashion-x-houston-stakes-its-claim-to-fashion-crown/

(Photography: Fashion X Runway, Carolyn Farb and Lance Avery Morgan)

Bringing its successful fashion show franchise to Houston for the first time, founder Matt Swinney introduced the Bayou City to a different kind of show at Silver Street Studios. There seemed to be something for everyone at the opening night of Fashion X Houston (said as Fashion By Houston…not the letter X). From avant grade to elegant, the designers who showcased their collections left no one wanting.

The star of the night was Nicholas Nguyen of Mysterious by N.P.N, who closed out the show to a well-deserved standing O. He designs for both women and men, and I don’t think there was a single menswear item in his collection that I didn’t want. The women were equally “wowing,” with each piece looking more stunning than the last, especially the show-stopping (literally) wedding gown. It was truly a magical way to end the first night on the runway.

http://www.chron.com/life/society/article/VIP-View-Four-insiders-share-behind-the-scenes-9980583.php

(Photo: Rob Giardinelli, Carlolyn Farb and Lance Avery Morgan)

Fashion X Houston recognized local design talent and "it" philanthropists last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The first time fete named Caroline Knapp, twin sisters Hannah McNair and Joanna Hartland Marks, and Lucinda Loya "Style Setters" for their individual style and dedication to serving the Houston community.

In addition to the Neil Hamil models who models looks from the honorees' own closet, designers Abi Ferrin, Amanda Valentine, Arrogantly Elegant, Becky Hollands, Chavon Shree, Erica Dawn Woodmore, Flawless Honey, Gunnar Deatherage, Shalon B, Chloe Dao, Alantude, Bentley & Lace, Deanna Santiago, VICREN, MANA, Michelle Lesniak, Caycee Black, Korto Momolu, Sonjia Williams, Inclan, TropiCouture, Miles David, Jimmy Burner, SixChel: Sexy Chic Cool Chick, This is Sloane, Rask, Carlos Castillo, Shehla Rana, Daniel Esquivel, Sean Kelly, and Mysterious by NPN sent showstopping ensembles down the runway, too.

http://www.bethielife.com/thursday-night-fashion-x-houston/

Location: Silver Street Studios. Photo: Lance Avery Morgan and Carolyn Farb, Matt Swinney

The first night of the 3-night Fashion X Houston started out with a view of beautiful Cadillac cars, then led into a room filled with fashions everywhere! Hundreds of Houstonians came to the first ever Fashion X Houston and we were not disappointed. The evening started out with galleries from stores and designers where you could shop on the spot. There were several photo-backdrop opportunities and lots of food and drink. This all led up to the huge runway event that included Miles David, Jimmy Burner, Sixchel, This is Sloane, Rask and capsule collections by Carlos Castillo, Shehla Rana, Daniel Esquivel and Sean Kelly. Popular lifestyle blogger Caroline Harper Knapp, of House of Harper, was the “Style Setter” of the evening. We even got to see some excerpts from her closet, which were adorable! The show closed with a jaw-dropping runway presentation by young designer Nicholas Ngyugen of Mysterious by NPN, who exquisitely reflected his Vietnamese heritage in his designs. The energy of this entire runway show was intoxicating because each designer presented completely unique collections and all-over-the-map different from one another. David Peck’s collection was extremely elegant and timeless. Jimmy Burner’s collection was street-wearable and urban. Sloane’s pieces were colorful and way-out funky (which I loved), and Shehla Rana’s collection was exquisite with Indian influences. Nicholas Phat Nguyen, who received an award from Bernina for up-and-coming designer, received a standing ovation after closing the show.

http://www.mystatesman.com/entertainment/break-the-austin-social-marathon-for-romance/WQwEDLDpUTidqlbwH3E7cO/

By Micahel Barnes

HEALTH: Loyal to the man, the team, the school, the cause. Few letters spell out loyalty like DRK. Coach Darrell K. Royal died in 2012, but grown men and women will set aside all other pressing concerns to pause and honor the late Longhorns leader. They are especially generous to the DKR Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease. Coach’s widow, Edith Royal, was the steadfast calm at the center of the social storm during the Fund’s Links & Lyrics benefit at ACL Live. Whirling around her were Stratus Properties’ Beau Armstrong and Val Armstrong, Patron’s John Paul DeJoria and Eloise DeJoria, KLBJ’s Ed Clements and Betsy Clements, KOKE FM’s Bob Cole and Linda Cole, The Society Diaries’ Lance Avery Morgan and Rob Giardinelli. The musical attraction for the night? Vince Gill, who recently played a stripped-down concert at Austin Music Hall for Austin Smiles.

F-1 is revving up in Austin. Our Lance Avery Morgan weighs in...

By ABC/KVUE News

Posted on March 3, 2014 at 11:52 AM

The only thing more exciting than seeing who took home an Oscar last night was seeing what the celebrities wore on the Red Carpet. Editor-in-Chief of The Society Diaries Magazine, Lance Avery Morgan, spoke to KVUE about the most glamorous night in fashion. At http://www.kvue.com/video/featured-videos/Recap-What-the-stars-wore-on-the-Red-Carpet-248213411.html

The spring is gala season, which means you need to dress to impress.

If you're unsure of what to wear, check out this "Fashion Forward" segment. Our Anne Hudson has some great tips on what's "in" this gala season along with The Society Diaries’ editor in chief, Lance Avery Morgan…

See more at: http://austin.twcnews.com/content/search/297773/dressing-to-impress-for-spring-gala-season#sthash.ChWK7LQI.dpuf

(Photo: Lance Avery Morgan, Gray Hawn and Eric Copper)

The Hilton Austin sparkled with sequins, bright baubles and the spirit of fun as the glam, generous guests for the night’s Dancing With the Stars benefit for Austin’s Center for Child Protection gathered there Sunday night.

As gala goers, among them Lance Avery Morgan, Gray Hawn, Eric Copper, Todd Dugas, Lorraine and Stan Jackson, Sheila Bostich, Jan and Mitchell Kalogridis, Amanda Pope, Ryann Danford, Erin Jolly and Danielle Kress, transitioned from the outside chill into the warm glow of the festivities and doffed their bundled outwear, the shiny, sparkly and stunning gowns of the winter party season were revealed in their glory.

They had come to enjoy themselves for a cause — and that, on both fronts, they did; at evening’s end, they had donated a record-setting $1 million-plus to the center.

Event chairs Alex Winkleman and Carol Adams, lovely in complementary blue gowns, greeted guests — including Katie Rooke, Roxanne Wilson, Mia Cavazos, Amanda Freche, Bryn Spee, Meredith Davis, Ryan Nail, Vilma Mazaite, Dana Tomlin and Dr. Tanuj and Nidhi Nakra — and circulated during the lively cocktail reception before the dinner hour, when the party moved into the ballroom and got down to the fun business of the evening.

- See more at: http://austin.ynn.com/content/290582/fashionably-yours--prepping-for-the-oscars#sthash.gW9fUd5u.dpuf

The Academy Awards will be held this Sunday, and those headed to swanky Oscar parties will need to come prepared.

Those looking for a glamorous outfit should check out Feathers on South Congress. Vintage, unique and glamorous gowns are exactly up their alley.

AUSTIN, Texas -- This is the year high-end retail discovered Austin.

While Dallas and Houston have long tended toward gowns and spangles, this intellectual hub -- home of the University of Texas, the state capital and some 700,000 people -- had a jeans and T-shirt reputation. But now, as new technology wealth comes to town and the local charity-gala circuit booms, Austin has become one of dozens of U.S. cities undergoing a fashion and luxury-goods makeover.

This year, some 30 high-end retailers have opened boutiques in Austin, including Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton and Burberry. These names -- the vast majority represented in Austin for the first time -- are among the retail tenants of a $250 million shopping and residential complex, Domain, that Indianapolis-based developer Simon Property Group Inc. opened in March. Neiman Marcus, which has exclusive rights to sell Chanel and other labels here, is the anchor tenant.

As America gets richer, more people outside the traditional fashion strongholds of New York and Los Angeles are lining up for designer labels and accessories. While the country's affluent have traditionally splurged on homes, cars or jets, only recently have wealthy Americans developed enough of a taste for pricey fashions to support a coast-to-coast industry.

As Oscar fever cools down a bit, check out what our very own The Society Diaries editor in chief Lance Avery Morgan weighs in about with the red carpet recap on ABC/KVUE with Yvonne Nava and Bryan Mays, a segment that led into Good Morning America. Here it is:

http://www.kvue.com/video?id=193004451&sec=551407&ref=articlevidmod

On Friday, while SXSW's opening night film, Michael Winterbottom's "Code 46," was screening at the Paramount, former Texas governor (and political spitfire) Ann Richards held court at the active Austin Studios. The white-haired Democratic diva presided over the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards presented by the Austin Film Society. Dennis Hopper, Jonathan Demme, Elvis Mitchell, Treat Williams and Linklater toasted this year's inductees, Robert Duvall, Forest Whitaker, Ethan Hawke, Judith Ivey and the film, "The Getaway," at a gala event that featured plates of BBQ and plenty of cocktails.

"This the only awards show where we guarantee that 'The Lord of the Rings' will not win anything," quipped Richards, with a wry grin reminiscent of her countenance years ago at the Democratic convention when she so wonderfully roasted the man who would later succeed her as the governor of Texas.

[indieWIRE Editor-in-Chief Eugene Hernandez will report from SXSW Film again tomorrow.]

On the catwalk, yeah on the catwalk.

There is probably zero money in it for me, but I have identified my second career. Last week, initially with great anxiety, I modeled in Stephen Moser's fashion show, and it was one of the funnest things I have ever done. Thanks, Stephen!

Moser, who is best known as the style columnist for the Austin Chronicle, has been designing up a storm at his East Austin studio this year. He makes resortwear and loungewear for both genders, as well as evening gowns, under the label Made in Heaven. This was the second such collection he showed this year. Held at Antone's, the fashion show benefited the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The center's director, Cliff Redd, emceed.

Moser's use of hand-painted silk charmeuse from Austin's Felton Knorra Studio has become a signature. The fabrics are created by fine artist Channe Felton, who also unveiled a terrific painting of Clifford Antone after the show, and screen printer Daniel Knorra. My first outfit was an empire-waist sundress with a skirt made of orange and yellow Felton Knorra silk, and it felt divine.

I flirted with modeling only once before, and the rejection was so demoralizing that I vowed, "Never again." When I lived in New York, a teacher at my yoga center said the staff had been contacted by Nike about a casting call for Asian women adept in various physical activities such as yoga, and they thought I should go.

Candy Spelling (l) at her booksigning in Houston, hosted by Houston's grande dame, Lynn Wyatt (r).

Courtesy of 'Brilliant'

Hey, listen up, all you San Antonio style setters, followers and hangers-on counting the days to invade the 154-acre retail mecca, the Shops at La Cantera. This fashion service announcement comes to you from Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, stylish movers and shakers that hosted a crowd of curious, well-heeled fashionistas to dish about the Alamo city's style future.

Straight from their mouths to your eyes: Your voice — not to mention your money — dear customer, is what ultimately will matter to them. If you don't like the merchandise on Nordstrom's racks or would like to see more of a particular collection (Missoni, Burberry Prosum or Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Shouler), ask a sales associate to point you toward Lisa Frandsen, Nordstrom store manager. Chat her up. She's vivacious, new to San Antonio — straight from Florida, where she helped open a Nordstrom there — and a newlywed. She also wants to know what you're thinking.

"Customers will tell us what we have done right and what we need to work on," she says.

Ditto at Neiman Marcus, where Vice President and general manager Thomas Wensinger, here only three months, believes that fashion — selling it, buying it, wearing it, understanding it — is about knowing what the shopper wants and expects from the luxury goods provider showcasing, among other brands, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Ralph Lauren's Purple Label. Seek Wensinger out, too. "The cool thing about fashion is that it always changes and the best thing that we can do is to educate the San Antonio woman, who already has great style, about that," Wensinger says diplomatically.