Social tip: Listen.
To others. To yourself.
It cures most social ills.
Melinda Perez, Krystal Lucero and Brittanie Duncan at Fashionably Pink Fashion Show
At the Noir Fashion Show for Austin Fashion Week at the strikingly post-industrial Brazos Hall, talk leaned toward apparel and gossip.
At dinner, Shelley Neuman explained her blog ATX Street Fashion. Meanwhile, other guests at our table astride the runway reacted to the two concise sets of white clothing worn by a troupe of smashing models. Layered looks by Linda Asaf and Stephen Moser prompted the most comment.
Regarding the meal, an elegant, black-and-white concoction by pastry chef Steven Cak lit up our tablemates’ pleasure centers. Looking forward to the rest of Fashion Week.
Raul Zavaleta and Jasmine Mann mix at Perfectly Pink for Komen Austin
At the perennially glorious Wildflower Gala, much was said from the podium about the new children’s garden seeded with money from Luci Baines Johnson and Ian Turpin.
Also, everyone praised the weather, which went from blustery and chill to calm and mild just in time for the outdoor dinner.
At past events here, much was gleaned from attorney Becky Beaver and photographer Nancy Scanlan, plus their friend, political advocate Susan Longley. This time, the discoveries poured from Longley’s niece and Scanlan’s cousin, cleverly placed on either side of your columnist.
Note to hosts: Table placement is critical. Don’t leave everything to fate.
Rebecca Price and Theresa Kopecky at Noir Fashion Show during Austin Fashion Week
Backers of Komen Austin, the breast cancer charity, have said repeatedly that they learned a world of lessons from last year’s scrap over women’s healthcare providers. In fact, they gained access to leaders who might have ignored them in the past.
As a measure of that success, the group’s Perfectly Pink gala doubled its attendance numbers in just one year to more than 400. The hosts tastefully rethought the feasibility of the Shoal Crossing center. Just enough color to satisfy the theme.
Haven’t encountered a more organized or better informed set of staff and volunteers at benefit party before. A dozen different people taught me something I didn’t know.
Alexis Frederick and Eric Johnson check out the art for auction at the Wildflower Gala
Fashionably Pink proved that the poolside lounging area at W Austin makes a glamorous runway venue. The breast cancer benefit, staged by Cheryl Conley Bemis of the unstoppable Fashionably Austin website, allowed for copious conversation before the local designs walked into the sunset.
Sometimes it appears that all the most gorgeous people in the world have settled in Austin. Or at least they visit. They pop up everywhere. And certainly at this charmed party.
Susannah Davis and Adam Price attend the Heart Ball for the American Heart Association
The Heart Ball is a well established benefit for the American Heart Society. A good 600 to 800 guests filtered into the Hilton Austin ballroom before dining and dancing to the ingratiating music of Clint Black.
Like some other older parties, though, the Heart Ball’s gravitational force attracts a whole different mob of Austinites than those who frequent the rest of the charity circuit. They listened intently to expertly produced video testimony about a new less-invasive heart procedure that turned around one guest’s life.
Listen. Just listen.