Kirby Allison
Kirby Allison, founder of the premium luxury hanger company Kirby Allison’s Hanger Project: www.HangerProject.com, has recently joined The Fashionistas as Chairman of our Limelight Group. Recognizing a void in the marketplace for a well-made luxury branded hanger, Allison, a graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, created the world’s first premium luxury collection. His interest in luxury goods goes back to a college course he took on tailored apparel. It spurred his interest in the refined classics. Pursuing a career as an investment banker, Kirby noted how the hangers that were delivered with his suit purchases were inadequate and often destroyed the shape of shoulders of the jackets. Thus began his quest to create the ultimate hanger. In just 14 months, it has been recognized by leading critics, such as The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, and The Culture Snob, as the best hanger for the best clothes.  

Kirby brings fresh excitement and energy to The Fashionistas’ Limelight Group. “I’m excited about being involved and help introduce The Fashionistas to the young, fashionable, and social Dallas crowd. There are so many of us that enjoy being on both the cutting edge of fashion and the Dallas scene, and The Fashionistas is a great organization to rally these leaders behind fashion as art,” Kirby states. The Fashionistas’ Limelight Group’s first large event co-hosted with LFT-The Universe Party-early September was a great debut onto the Dallas scene. “With over 1,200 people in attendance, The Fashionistas received some great exposure. Everyone there got it-they understood that The Fashionistas are as young, chic, and energetic as they are fashionable and trendy,” Kirby reported. With many new members from The Universe Party, The Fashionistas’ Limelight Group is looking forward to the next big event-stay tuned for more information.

The Fashionistas New Member Welcome Party
Thursday, October 16, The Fashionistas will be hosting a New Member Welcome at Dallas’s trendiest new bar—the roof-top, pool-side bar at The Joule (1530 Main Street). Please join everyone for drinks at 7:00 PM at The Joule and PM Lounge at 10:00 PM. Please RSVP to kirbya@hangerproject.com

Dallas Rocks
On Friday, November 7th Russell Simmons and Pat and Emmit Smith will host Dallas Rocks, an inaugural event benefiting the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF). Russell founded DEF in 2007 along with individuals and businesses in the diamond and jewelry industry. Their mission is to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. DEF endeavors to help young people achieve success through self-determination, focus and opportunity. The star-studded event will honor Earvin "Magic" Johnson and include a gala dinner chaired by Rozalyn and Robert St. Pe Colombo and after party chaired by Kirby Schlegel, Blake Andrews and Matt Nordgren. I attended the announcement party at Trece and had an opportunity to meet Russell and his people. I was impressed by their dedication to this cause and am honored that The Fashionistas have been invited to partner on this event. For ticket information contact Hamilton Sneed, Events to Envy at 214-454-5683, hsneed@eventstoenvy.com. or Annika Cail, 521 Events, 214-783-4966, annika.cail@521events.com.

Tiffany's and John Loring
Since its beginning 170 years ago, Tiffany & Co. has become synonymous with elegant design and extravagant, yet tasteful luxury, creating the world's most dazzling jewelry and decorative objects. On November 11 at Studios 1019, Tiffany & Co.'s beloved design director, John Loring will be here to give us a lecture and sign his book, Tiffany Style: 170 Years of Design. In this meticulously researched volume Loring tracks the evolution of American taste as seen through the eyes of the country's preeminent purveyor of luxuries.

Tiffany Style celebrates the designers' unique contributions to fashion and the jeweler's legacy with images by the world's top photographers. Tiffany Style is certain to appeal to anyone interested in the origins of American design and Tiffany's role in its ascension. John Loring has been the design director of Tiffany & Co. since 1979. In addition, he writes on art and design and is the author of 20 previous books. The Dallas Morning New/F!D Luxe is our generous sponsor. Watch for your engraved invitation in the mail. You can also purchase tickets on our website at www.thefashionistas.org.

The Fashionistas Artful Holiday Soiree
Join us on Thursday, December 4 for our Artful Holiday Soiree. We will be able to view the astonishing contemporary art collection of Dr. Rodger Kobes and Mr. Ernest Gallegos at their Highland Park town home. In addition to the Warhols and Harings, there will be fanciful foods, lively libations, festive music and courtly conversation. The event is black tie and the ticket price $100 per person. Look for your invitation in the mail, or go to our website at www.thefashionistas.org to purchase your tickets. A portion of the proceeds will go towards providing supplies for our local fashion design students.

Equinox Fitness
Fitness has been a passion of mine for the past 35 years, so I was very excited when I received a call from the people at Equinox Fitness to say that they are opening two centers in Dallas. The New York Times calls equinox Fitness Clubs “A Temple of Well Being”. They are known for their personal trainers, world-class group fitness programming, luxurious spas and award winning design. We are in the process of planning a unique opening event that will be held in January. All I can tell you now is - dust off your sneakers! You can visit their sales center at 3900 Oak Lawn Avenue, 214-443-9009, www.equinoxfitness.com

The Hanger Project
Kirby Allison’s Hanger Project is a natural offshoot of his penchant for timeless luxury and old-world traditions. These hangers are more than just functional; they are maple wood works of art, befitting the closet of a person who has taste and style. With the average price of suits running well over $500.00, these hangers, priced under $30.00, are the ideal way to ensure a garment keeps their shape for years to come. They also revitalize closets into sanctuaries.

Don’t take anyone’s word for it. Experience it yourself. For about $500.00 you can transform your closet and give your garments the support they require. Peek into your own closet and view how the garments limp through life in a cavernous corridor of cotton, silk and wool. Transform that experience as you grab a beautifully designed, handcrafted and carved wooden hanger. Reaching for your suite or dress, you will realize that something is different. It’s as if a Beethoven concerto is coming from the closet. Quite simply, it’s the perfect way to start the day. www.hangerproject.com

Green Bracelet
When you purchase a genuine rough diamond and malachite Green bracelet created by Simmons Jewelry Co., you are supporting the education and empowerment of African people and communities where diamonds are a natural resource. Simmons Jewelry Co. will donate twenty dollars or more from the sale of this green bracelet to the Diamond Empowerment Funds (DEF), a non-profit international organization that contributes all resources to educational programs in Africa. Visit: www.simmonsjewelryco.com