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Designer Insider - Analea De Le Fuente

University of Texas graduate, Analea De Le Fuente has firmly stepped into a distinctive design niche.

Analea mentioned, "A bride from Houston that attended the UT Fashion show my senior portfolio semester. She loved my designs and commissioned me to design her gown."

Excited by the project and creative freedoms inherent to the "sketch-to-isle" process of one-kind gowns, Analea has found herself happy in Austin serving national clientele.

Of all the areas of clothing design to consider, Why have you decided to design wedding dresses?

A wedding gown is the ultimate canvas. It allows me complete design freedom and flexibility to use the finest of fabrics while incorporating timeless design elements you don't see in everyday fashion. There's something wonderful about the ceremony behind a wedding gown - I am intrigued by the layers and structure that are required to make a beautiful composition.

Who was your first client and can we see the sketch?

My first client was a bride from Houston that attended the UT Fashion show my senior portfolio semester. She loved my designs and commissioned me to design her gown. She kept the original sketch, but I do have the other conceptual sketches I drew that are centered on the same theme, and I have plenty of other sketches from other clients you can view.

How does the normal sketching process start idea or picture?

The sketching process starts with an idea. I begin by brainstorming through a series of conceptual drawings that address understanding the bride's style and transforming her into the bride she wants to be.

Where you do get your fabrics and embellishments?

My fabrics and embellishments come from all over the world. I look for the finest of materials, regardless of their origin, with the intent of providing my clients with the very best. Most of my silks, for example, come from Italy, whereas my laces usually come from England or France.

How long does the typical design process take (from sketch to isle)?

The design process varies depending on the complexity of the project, but I can usually design and complete a gown in less than 6 months, with 4 months being the average. We start with a couple of fittings in a sample gown called a muslin, and work on perfecting the fit before we cut and sew the actual dress. This process helps us avoid altering the gown, which inevitably puts stress on the fabric. It takes a little more time but the finished product is well worth the effort.

What is the most difficult part of designing bridal gowns?

Each gown I design is a work of art that has taken hours and hours to create. Like any artist or sculptor, the thought of never seeing my creation again is sometimes hard to bear.

Do you help the typical bride conceptualize the shoes, makeup, jewelry and hair?

Absolutely. With each design comes a different inspiration to complete the ensemble. We have partnerships with established vendors so we can ensure the bride has a good experience.

What is your ultimate goal for Analea De La Fuente?

Within a few years we'd like to create a collection of gowns sold nationwide so every bride can have access to our dresses. It will be difficult for me not to be able to personally consult with each individual bride, but we already have some ideas on how to make a nationwide collection more personable.

The only way to reach that level of success is to continue to do what we do best: provide our clients with the most gorgeous gowns and superior service to match.

Below Analea shares a few ideas for the Austin bride ...

How important is it to understand the theme and venue of the wedding before you create the dress?

Very. Understanding the theme of the wedding is just one of the many things that give me additional insight into my brides. I am interested in anything that inspires her, whether a pair of shoes or her favorite cocktail dress. It helps me understand her personal style, and it is this I am most interested in grasping.

Capitol
Rooted in tradition, I see this gown having Victorian elements, such as a dramatic, full skirt, a high cinched-in waist, and tucks of lace and hand embroidery. The delicate sleeves end just below the elbow, where there rests a column of daintily carved buttons.

Driskill
The Driskill, built the same year as the Capitol, would have many of the same elements as the gown above, but for a more modern bride. The silhouette will still be composed of dramatic, sweeping lines, with an emphasis on the intricately draped fabric. To finish it off, a satin sash sits at the waist, accented by a light Victorian hand-embroidered technique.

Vintage Villas
This venue comes across as soft and romantic, reminiscent of French or Italian countryside, with beautiful gardens and trellises, and breathtaking views. I see a gown covered in a delicate chantilly lace with pearl accents, and a train that lightly brushes the perfectly manicured lawns.

Destination - Colorado
For a Colorado wedding, I envision simple lines that mimic the natural environment and the clean, crisp mountain air. A gown composed of soft folds and tucks add subtle detail, while staying true to her natural silhouette. It moves with the bride and floats at the hint of a breeze.

Analea De Le Fuente, 4410 Burnet Rd. Suite, Austin, TX 78756 For immediate inquiries or to set an appointment call 512.944.3421 or e-mail design@analeadelafuente.com.

designer insider
posted - beth / 5:15 PM / 04.16.07

Styleshaker.com Interviews Matt Swinney

Beth Lambert Interviews Rare Austin's Matt Swinney. As publisher of the two year "young" quarterly magazine, Matt continues to "Keep Austin Weird".

Exciting and fun to read Rare Austin has launched a new social initiative, Rare Meet Austin. This membership based social club gathers the young twenty and thirty crowd together for quick meet and greets all over Austin.

(Matt is wearing a English Laundry shirt from Estilo and Yanuk Jeans from Hem Jeans.)

Matt and his crew thinks up such creative ideas for each event. The James Brown Tribute at The Peacock, an eastside lounge, provided the perfect backdrop to mix-n-mingle.

Matt and the Rare Austin crew have complied a packed schedule for the month of April with endless fun things to do. Check their calendar and attend one of the several events >

Here's is a quick audio with Matt recorded just before the James Brown Event:

Read more to learn how this born and raised Austinite continues to keep Rare Austin true to Austin.

How long have you had the idea to create Rare Austin?

I sort of have a take-no-prisoners attitude, so from the concept of Rare to actually having a media kit and selling for the first issue was only a few weeks. Once I had my head around it, I was ready to go. This was probably late-Summer 2004. I had pretty much decided I wanted to do a lifestyle magazine for Austin and I saw what the competition was and tried to find a niche that I felt no one else was really going after. Also, I had several friends that are retailers, restaurant guys, etc. and they told me what they would want out of a new publication. Hence, Rare was born.

How long has RareAustin been in publication?

I started the business in October 2004, but the first issue didn't hit until May 2005. It took awhile to get enough advertisers to buy in and get a really great concept. To this day, I bet I can still name ALL of the original advertisers without looking at any notes or magazines. Those businesses were THAT important to me.

What is the overall mission of Rare Austin?

We didn't sit down and create a Jerry Maguire-esque mission statement or anything. Honestly, we just want to create a really unique local publication that "feels" like Austin. I don't think anyone else really does that. We try to capture the essence of down-to-earth funky mixed with Davenport Village high-end. If you wander around Austin long enough, you'll realize that most people wear $200 jeans and a $10 vintage tee. Austinites are much less-concerned about price than people in most cities. We wanted to show the city the BEST local businesses and have people realize that it's much cooler to go to Hem Jeans instead of Nordstrom. The AIBA quotes a statistic that says that of every $100 spent at a national chain, the total local economic impact is only $13. That same $100 spent at a local business generates $45. Also, from a demographic perspective, we wanted to create a magazine that reached 20somethings and 30somethings.

What is this new raremeetaustin.com initiative about?

First and foremost, it's about having a good time and catching the Austin vibe. It started because I don't understand MySpace at all. What's the fun in having a community that never meets in real life? Rare Meet is meant to do that. We want people to catch local events where they can hang with friends, meet business partners, find new vendors, seek out the love of their life. Whatever your interest is, you should be able to find it at a Rare Meet event (or 10). We want to establish "community" in a way that no one has done it locally. Plus, it's a great opportunity for us to help show off local businesses, artists, designers, photographers, musicians, whatever. It's one thing to run advertising for a company - it's quite another to hold an event with 200 people at their physical location. I don't think any other magazine is looking out for its advertising base quite like that.

Do you consider you and your staff to be social connectors?

I don't know. I don't really think of myself that way. I'm just sort of a gregarious guy - I like people in general. I like knowing what makes other people tick and I LOVE entrepreneurs. I love anyone that is willing to really stick their neck out socially, financially, artistically, whatever and take whatever the city is going to throw back at them. I guess that want to be around people like that and to learn from them sort of makes me a "social connector." But, it's not like any of us set out to do that. It just sort of happens naturally.

Describe your typical reader?

I think that's the beauty of the magazine. There isn't a "typical" reader. That's like saying "define Austin." You can't do it - and if you can, then you're wrong and you don't get what this city is about. I think the "typical" reader is someone who's just as likely to buy a pair of $400 stilettos at Ven Shoe Salon and then you'll catch her wearing them with a deconstructed vintage denim skirt from Cream. That's what I love about our readership. Generally speaking, they're ok being out on a limb and they LOVE, and I mean LOVE this city. They want to support local business and they're willing to say "I like this but I don't like that." It would be much easier to go get a bunch of ad dollars from the super high-end, but a lot of Austin has already rejected that. They like the idea of the hodgepodge that is Rare and I like the hodgepodge that is our reader.

What do you consider to be Austin's single most important style influencer (music, art, artists/designers or lifestyle lake, BBQs etc...)?

Without a doubt, music is the biggest style influencer. Deep down, every Austinite wants to be a rock star. Come on, admit it. You know you're scared to death of it, but you want up on that stage wearing sunglasses at night with a $200 haircut that looks like you just rolled out of bed, tats on both arms, and a nasty sneer. That's why you see goofy white dudes like me hanging out at The Mohawk having had a little too much to drink looking at the stage like those guys are gods. They're not - I've met a ton of musicians and they all put their pants on one leg at a time - they just do it in a much cooler way. I like the idea of 2nd Street and The Domain and places like that, but it's not exactly Red River on a Friday night. I think that's where you'll find the true style that defines "Austin" as much any one style can. Course, I've said all that, but you could totally convince me of something else being a huge influencer - again, it comes back to the hodgepodge of styles and our daringness to simply be ourselves and not try too hard.

Matt, I am dying to know....

ACL or SXSW ?

Oh, ACL by far. SXSW is too damn hard.

New York or San Francisco?

San Francisco by a long shot. Skiing and the beach in the same day and perfect weather is hard to beat. Plus, the people are much nicer.

Statesman or the Chronicle ?

Again, neither, but I read the Chronicle more than the Statesman.

Who is your favorite local IT girl and why?

I've never understood the concept of "it" people. It's completely media driven. What most people think is cool usually isn't that cool to me. Other than my wife, the women that come to mind first that I have the most respect for are Aimee and Loree Lindgren (Hem Jeans), Chandra Michaels (Sugarluxe), Tricia Roberts (Adelante), Kathy Girling (Girling Health Care, Envie Boutique), Jyl Kutsche (Therapy), Cindy Hill (Love), Nicole Beasley (Dolce Baby), Erin Portman (Birds Barbershop), Barbara Kelso (Ann Kelso). God, there are probably 50 women I'm forgetting right now...this feels like an Oscar acceptance speech and I should mention my sister.

Who is your favorite local IT Guy and why?

Charles Ferraro (Gat5), Matt Luckie (Belmont, Red Fez, Lavaca Street etc), Taylor Perkins (512 Realty), Chris Marsh (Mean Eyed Cat), Rick Engel (Austin Java, Uncle Billy's, Paggi House), Jeff Strange (Upstairs, Downstairs, and about 1000 other things), Will Steakley and James Moody (Mohawk). Ditto on the men.
To me, at the end of the day, this city is FILLED with a bunch of people that most people will never hear about. Those people are the ones that I respect. Those who sit back out of the spotlight and just let what they do do the talking for them. All the men and women I've listed are that way and they each inspire me in some way. And, again, there are probably 50 other people that inspire me in the same kind of way - they just don't come to mind right now.

Need even more information on where to get your hands on a copy of Rare Austin click here >

(img source: Rare Austin cover by Charles Ferraro of Gat5)

designer insider
posted - beth / 8:58 PM / 04.09.07

Anthony Nak's Anthony Camargo

I sat down with Anthony Camargo, Co-Designer and Partner of Anthony Nak, to get the big international picture of Austin 's prized jewel.

The luxury line of fine jewelry has earned accolades from CFDA (the Council of Fashion Design and America), editors, designers and critics. Within only six years, Anthony Camargo and Nak Armstrong have set forth a new genre of jewelry that others work to duplicate.

Enjoy the insightful interview and fun audio recap.

What inspired you to start a line of fine jewelry?

Nak and I came from two different studies as designers mine being furniture and sculpture Naks being clothing. We wanted to design something that would incorporate both of these mediums, at the time in the industry we saw that there was something missing, looking at what was available in the market we felt that we could offer something that was unique, make an impact and create a luxury brand that could offer women a new take on jewelry and how it was purchased and worn.

Who were your biggest cheerleaders at the beginning?

We were very fortunate to be immediately welcomed and celebrated by the press and celebrities, as well as a local clientele in Austin who were our patrons and to this day support what we do creatively.

Have you always had distinctive point of views to fashion and beauty?

I would really credit that to Nak as he was from the fashion industry in NY therefore he had a true understanding of what it meant to have a distinctive point of view and has made sure that we have stayed true to our brand

Do you have formal education or training in design, fashion or architecture?

I was self taught, well I take that back I started in retail and was fortunate to have had an amazing visionary as my mentor, who took me under his wing and taught me the in's and out's of the retail business, that man was Fred Segal in Los Angeles, I spent many years under that roof and opened my first business there.

I eventually left but took the experience and applied it to my own creative ventures in many different cities San Francisco, Miami Beach and New York ...

Nak is a Plan 2 graduate from UT studying international business and Architecture, upon graduating he moved to NY and began his career in fashion working for a company that specialized in patterns for some of the biggest designers in the clothing industry, this is where he learned draping and form, and eventually developed his own clothing line sold to some exclusive stores in NY

When and where did you meet your business partner Nak?

We met in New York

What was the main reason for partnering with Nak Armstrong?

Nak and I partnered because we had the same aesthetic about design and we felt that our different backgrounds would be a good combination in pursuing our goals in developing a business and a luxury brand, we also are best friends and have remained each others champions over the years

What was your main point of validation (that moment you both took a deep breathe- and said MAN) during the last six years?

Winning the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) award was our biggest validation. To become a part of this elite group of designers has been such a rewarding experience. To be recognized by the top designers, editors, retailers, etc, and to have peers, unlike most jewelry designers who really only break ground in the jewelry industry, we were welcomed and received into the fashion industry and recognized as ones that actually changed the course of the business by developing a technique that had never been done before. Hence forth spawned an entire genre of jewelry designers that implemented our philosophy into their own collections, they say that knock offs are the biggest form of flattery, we agree that inspiring others to pursue their dreams is a blessing as long as they don't knock us off completely. Its the trickle down effect that happens, we sell our collection to the top stores in the world and then the designers that come up start selling look-alikes to the lower end stores but soon they forget where the original ideas come from, this is a part of the industry that the top designers have been fighting for years and finally reaping success for sticking to their guns and knowing that they have developed a brand that has set the standard.

And one of the other things happened the other day, Madonna sent an autographed picture to Nak and I along with a lovely note thanking us for making something special for her, that was awesome it was like Christmas day in the Anthony Nak office when that picture and note arrived.

What influenced your original design philosophy and how has it changed throughout the years?

Our original design philosophy was to incorporate our backgrounds together, to create a line of jewelry that had movement, that made the wearer feel sexy, sophisticated, and chic. We wanted to create something that did not look and feel like hardware, we never thought that it was sexy for a woman to wear something that looked like a door knob on her neck, we wanted the wearer to never feel like it was the jewelry that walked into the room. We wanted her to own her look, her power, I think that is also why Anthony Nak is a self purchase for women, our customers are confident, they are not looking for their husbands (although that is nice too and we have a lot of husbands, boyfriends who have been trained by their women over the years that if they want to do the right thing or make up for something that they did wrong is to come home with an Anthony Nak box) to buy jewelry for them nor are they influenced by what their friends or peers are wearing.

The thing that has changed for us over the years is keeping up with a growing business, this forces us to be cognizant of what we need to do to maintain our brand image, making sure that our integrity is in place that we do what we need to do to run our business, ignoring the naysayer or the ones that want to see you fail, we recently went down the path of going after some non ethical individuals in a legal context, which you have to do sometimes, but we realized and I remembered something that Fred Segal had taught me years ago, that was that if you are paying attention to what others are doing than you are not paying attention to what you need to be doing. So we took on a new approach of protecting what we are and what we believe in but not to spend our time being negative.
Do you carry items for men?

Yes we have a men's collection, that we sell only through our flagship Anthony Nak store here in Austin and because a friend of mine owns a men's store at Fred Segal in Santa Monica we have given him the exclusive on our men's collection for that store only. We are known for our women's collection therefore we want to make sure that we don't dilute our brand by going into to many arenas including men's jewelry except on a very exclusive level

What are the names of this year's three collections?

Signature
Specchio
Flora & Feather

What are the stores that will carry Anthony Nak for the spring and summer of 2007?

Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Saks Barneys Japan, Holt Renfrew in Canada, Harvey Nichols in the UK these are just some of the department stores or account list is extensive through out the world and in the US

Anthony Nak, 800 Brazos St. 512.454.7029 view the map >

*Listen to Anthony Camargo explain the ins and outs of Anthony Nak.
and

designer insider
posted - beth / 9:30 PM / 04.01.07

Anthony Nak's Anthony Camargo

I sat down with Anthony Camargo, Co-Designer and Partner of Anthony Nak, to get the big international picture of Austin 's prized jewel.

Enjoy the insightful interview and fun audio recap.

What inspired you to start a line of fine jewelry?

Who were your biggest cheerleaders at the beginning?

Have you always had distinctive point of views to fashion and beauty?

Do you have formal education or training in design, fashion or architecture?

I eventually left but took the experience and applied it to my own creative ventures in many different cities San Francisco, Miami Beach and New York ...

When and where did you meet your business partner Nak?

We met in New York

What was the main reason for partnering with Nak Armstrong?

What was your main point of validation (that moment you both took a deep breathe- and said MAN) during the last six years?

What influenced your original design philosophy and how has it changed throughout the years?

What are the names of this year's three collections?

Signature
Specchio
Flora & Feather

What are the stores that will carry Anthony Nak for the spring and summer of 2007?

Anthony Nak, 800 Brazos St. 512.454.7029 view the map >

*Listen to Anthony Camargo explain the ins and outs of Anthony Nak.
and

designer insider
posted - beth / 12:43 AM / 04.01.07

Designer Insider - Suzie Rapp and Amy Posevak

Austin's dynamic design duo, Suzie Rapp and Amy Posevak, first met while attending a Textile Design class at the University of Texas. After paying their individual dues to the fashion gods, Suzie left an internship within Marc Jacobs in New York and Amy turned down a design position in L.A.

Reuniting in Austin, Texas with one common goal, the two created Rapp and Posevak. A quality line of "lush-to-touch" handbags, wallets and belts which has caught the attention of fashion editors and celebrities alike.

Most recently seen on the shoulders of such A-list American celebrities as Kate Hudson, Teri Hatcher, and Cheryl Hines, the R&P style continues to cater to trend-centric style mavens.

Full of distinctive styles and void of flashy signature labeling or hardware, the R&P spring 2007 collection has something for those seeking individuality.

Read the following questions and answers to learn more about Amy and Suzie.

Q: What were you both doing before you began Rapp and Posavek?
Amy: I was actively interviewing for jobs and was offered a design position in LA. Initially, I accepted that job, but then I realized I'd rather start my own business than work for someone else.
Suzie: I was interning at Marc Jacobs in New York.

Q: How did you meet?
We met in Textile Design class at UT. From then on, we studied together and scheduled all of our classes together.

Q: Why did you decide to partner together?
We always joked that we were going to start our own business together and when it actually happened we already knew that we would work well as a team, since we had been doing that with great results all through college.

Q: Who stocks your stuff (i.e Factory People)?
Anthropologie, Factory People, Verve, Big Drop, Glo etc.

Q: You have such a varied collection with such distinctive style, I love the Candace bag but would be more likely to wear the Micah bag - Do you have a specific type of girl that you design the collection around?
Yes, our target customer is between 18 and 40. Our specific consumer is an independent, working woman who likes to travel and who embraces a fashion-forward philosophy when shopping for herself.

Q: Amy, When you go shopping with Suzie, what is the first thing she grabs?
Suzie's style is a downtown vintage feel so I would have to say anything vintage or unique--something that not everybody has.

Q: Suzie, If you had to pull three things out of Amy's handbag what would they be?
Amy carries so much in her bag! I would have to say her Rapp and Posavek wallet, her make-up bag, and she always has a Burt's Bees chapstick.

Q: What are your favorite things to do in Austin (shops, eats, drinks,music)?
Amy: My husband and I love to go to different places like Roy's and Flemming's and we enjoy great steak and wine. I definitely like the low-key lounges that play blues or jazz. My favorite boutiques in Austin are probably By George and Anthropologie. Favorite food: Anything Tex-Mex!!!

Suzie: Walking my dog Ollie around Town Lake, eating Tex-Mex, having drinks and attending art shows on the East Side, going to see bands and dancing downtown, shopping at Feathers and Factory People

Q: What are the next steps for Rapp and Posavek?
We would love to do a shoe line one day.

Shop online at http://www.rappandposevak.com.

designer insider
posted - beth / 12:11 PM / 03.26.07

Styleshaker.com Interviews Kendra Scott

Austin's Kendra Scott began her company with only five hundred dollars and a tea box. This risk taking entrepreneur sat down to explain the steps she took to forge her way into over 450 specialty stores throughout the world.

What appears to be an instant success is actually the result of a passionate hard worker who has paid her dues. Ms. Scott worked for five years as a boutique owner and three years within the world of advertising before blazing new trails towards her dream.

"I always knew I had a passion for fashion." I knew I couldn't sew but could make jewelry."

At the beginning, "I would go door to door to Austin boutiques with this little tea box filled with a small collection of jewelry. The Austin boutique owners were great. They embraced me and bought my things." The widely accepted line caught the attention of a Dallas sale rep. "She called and said, Listen. You're taking away my business; I want to rep your line. I made a trip to Dallas the next day and she picked up the line. An it was just gang busters from there."

Shortly after Kendra Scott was selected to attend the Coterie. "Within six month of launching the line we were selected to attend. It was an honor. The Coterie was a great place to get the word out and in front the big buyers. Within the first collection we landed our first big account which was Nordstrom."

Kendra mentioned her favorite part of owning Kendra Scott Design is "The fact I wake up every morning excited to go to work. I work with such a creative and dynamic people. We are a very close family"

Choosing to never listen to "dream stealers", she has accomplished so much in five years. Just last year, Kendra Scott was commissioned by Oscar de la renta to complement his clothing for the Spring 2006 couture fashion show. "It was a highlight. I had to stop myself and think wow."

Continuing her work with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, launching an online shop and starting new line of fine jewelry are just a few things on her plate for 2007.

Enjoy the complete audio interview with Kendra Scott. Proceed with caution, we both love to gab and giggle.

Make sure to preview the Kendra Scott's fine jewelry set to debut at Eliza Page in August 2007.

You can purchase Kendra Scott jewelry at the following locations or sites:

Online: Shoptwig.com laylagrace.com citizenrose.com

National Retailers: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Henri Bendel

Austin: A Touch of Sass, Adelante, Eliza Page, Fetish, Garden Room, Leisa Allen, Pique, Salon Bloom and Boutique, Scarbroughs

(img credit: Styleshaker.com, Kendra Scott is standing infront of her inspiration board and wearing Kendra Scott Tear Drop Earrings shown above and available online at Bloomingdale's)

designer insider
posted - beth / 10:50 AM / 03.21.07

Elisa Jimenez

Elisa Jimenez's expressive free cutting couture combines performance art and clothing design.

Creating performances which make people stop and think is nothing new for this free, open and expressive artist.

Described by Vogue as "one of today's emerging designers to watch", Ms. Jimenez made a rare appearance to present "Fairytales and Whispers: Sogni di Lupi / Dream of Wolves". The fashion event at Factory People quickly turned to a performance with several layers. I could only dare to recap, the intense fairytale deserves your individual perspective.

Ms. Jimenez's amazing respect for allowing the universal forces to construct outward expression is powerful.

The performance hosted by DJ Roxy Cottontail was followed by a free cutting styling event. Ms. Jimenez simply laid a square piece of fabric and began to cut and hand stitch a dress for the local mix master. The process appeared effortless. Ms. Jimenez completed the look within ten minutes. She was armed with only scissors, a needle and signature red thread.

Here is a rough audio with Elisa Jimenez recorded directly after her performance. Please excuse the background music and street traffic. Finding a quiet place during SXSW was impossible.

*You can purchase a few one of a kind pieces of Elisa Jimenez at the Factory People.

Factory People, 1325 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 512.440.8002 view the map >

designer insider
posted - beth / 5:01 PM / 03.20.07

Styleshaker.com Interviews Julia Othmer

Martin + Osa's GoodMusic™ Event presenting Julia Othmer was completely "in tune" with Austin. This atypical concept store has created something new, yet familiar to Austin. What a show, what a talent and what a way to a make an entrance into the Live Music Capital of the World.

Free CD's were flying and feet were tapping to the second thirty minute set of songs from Othmer. Othmer's amazing spirit, phenomenal voice, and polished performance left a lasting impression. This playful and happy box of talent sat down to answer a few of my questions just before her second show.

What inspires your performances? New talent adds a real free hand in creating a new sound.

I love performing live. I play to the strength of the artists which come together for any given show. I've been lucky and grateful to play to the strength of such top notch / world tour veterans as the Suicidal Tendencies.

"Connecting with people is key, the stage gives me the permission and freedom to do what you want."

Do you write your own lyrics? Yes. It's crazy. I do things differently then most within the industry. I write, perform and than record. Performance is key to the creation of that final song. The approach is opposite to most which record and than take their sound on the road.

Have you been signed by a label? Not yet. It's not as important as building the team of people that wants to create and market something which compliments my sound.

"I do what I love with the important goal to create a larger reach. "

How much thought goes into creating your personal style? My style hmmmm... I'm a low maintenance girl. I don't own an iron and wear clothes that allow me to rock. The one very important detail to my look is the stiletto. I love to wear a simple look and add a very colorful tall sexy heel.

Where can people find your music? I travel all over the nation and recommend catching a live appearance. You can view a complete list of shows on my site. If that is not possible, purchase my debut CD Oasis Motel on itunes.com, amazon.com or cdbaby.com.

*cdbaby.com is a exclusive retailer of independent music.

Catch Styleshaker.com's first moblog with Julia Othmer at Austin Bergstrom International just before she headed home. Here's the deal... this is a raw interview completely unedited. *We promise to get better so keep listening, but for now enjoy learning more about Julia Othmer through her own words.

You can read more about Julia on her myspace page or official site.

(img source: Alex Lowy, juliaothmer.com)

Daily Dish , designer insider
posted - beth / 7:43 PM / 03.12.07

Robert Verdi - A Stylish Stunner

Austin's Lance Morgan of Brilliant Magazine introduced me to Robert Verdi, the star of The Style Network's Full Frontal Fashion and E!'s Fashion Police TV.

Fresh off the plane, this real life stylish stunner made his first trip to Austin, Texas for The Domain Grand Opening sponsored by Cadillac. The event previewed both women's and men's fashions from Lacoste, Lilly Pulitzer, Tommy Bahama, Luxe Apothetique, Metropark, Calypso Christiane Celle and Diesel.

Excited to take a break from his most recent pet project, the re-design of his office, he entertained a full house of eager Austinites.

Styleshaker's Beth Lambert, sat down with Robert before the show to ask him a few questions. She wanted to learn more about the personality fueling the fashion world with two T.V. shows, expert interior design and fashion advice to the stars and a multitude of endorsement deals.

"My office houses eight employees who are all exact opposites to me. They are all very cool, calm, collected and super smart. I have to work in a very quiet orderly office. Although a Virgo, I'm a bit of Leo in that regard."

As a fully developed and sought personality, Robert carefully picks what he will and won't do. "At this stage, I know right away if the opportunity is a good fit. In my industry you may be known more for what you turn down then what you actually do. I love hosting events, dressing celebrities and making guest appearances on the occasional talk show."

He prefers dressing celebrities to the everyday person. The celebrity normally has an event or goal. "I simply define the reason for the appearance, the importance of event and play to the audience. I love creating that final look, I refer to it as "the scene-stealer."

Robert has worked for the best in the biz as a style consultant interviewing Tommy Hilfger, Cynthia Rowley, Ivana Trump, David Bowie. He continues to dress Eva Longoria, Kathy Griffin, Hugh Jackman for his events and Finesse Mitchell from SNL. He has also appeared as an interior design and fashion expert on The View, Regis & Kelly, and The Today Show, as well as on cable's CNN Headline News and VHI.

He shies away from dressing the everyday client realizing it's difficult to work with their surrounding core group of critics and limiting sensibilities (i.e. lifestyle, body image and budget).

Frustrating to Robert, who has a strong presence and rarely looks to others for approval. He prefers to work with those who trust him and want to invest in a signature style.

Within the first five minutes of speaking with him it was obvious this self-assured personality has earned his celebrity and the admiration of us all.

Noting his polished flawless head to toe style. I had to ask, "What is left for you to change... your outfit is perfect (texture, color and accessories), could this be analogous to your career?" "No at all, I'm never complacent and always challenging myself."

Robert's key tip for the spring: "It's all about the sunglasses, handbags and exciting accessories. Each will be key for the spring and should be coupled with neutral clothing."

(photo credits: robertverdi.com, Star Magazine, styleshaker.com)

designer insider
posted - beth / 1:11 PM / 03.11.07

So Proud

I'm so proud to be a part of the AOL StyleList. I recommend anyone interested in the story behind the designer to read this amazing collection of interviews. The initiative delivers an impressive list of all your favorite style influencers from San Francisco, LA, New York, Chicago and Austin.

The latest entry highlighting Tibi's Amy Smilovic by Rachel Felder made me smile. The down to earth interview with one of the hottest young designers made me proud. A strong reminder that AOL's Stylelist is spot-on and a rare find.

designer insider
posted - beth / 9:11 PM / 03.08.07

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