Naturally, D Magazine will be the media sponsor and I'm thrilled to have another opportunity to work with our adorable girlfriends Stephanie Quadri, Mary Poe and Ashley McGill.  Lancôme will present us with a check at the launch party to kick off our "Fashionista Museum Fund".   The money will go towards the expansion Fashion on Main.

I have been invited to attend a number of shows during the upcoming Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.  You can expect a full report when I return.  Who wants to volunteer to come over and cook dried up chicken and vegetables for Dallas and Bill while I'm away?  I'll leave the George Foreman grill on the counter.

There has not been a Balenciaga exhibition in the United States for 20 years and there has never been one outside of New York City. In 1986 there was a show at F.I.T. and in 1973 Diana Vreeland put one on at the Costume Institute.  That makes Balenciaga and His Legacy: Haute Couture from the Texas Fashion Collection, which opens at the Meadows Museum on February 3, a really important show.  Myra Walker has written a beautiful must-have catalog which can be ordered on www.amazon.com.  I'm told that her catalog is currently featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's bookstore.  

See you at Balenciaga,

                                                                  

NOTE FROM MYRA WALKER

Balenciaga and His Legacy: Haute Couture from the Texas Fashion Collection opens at the Meadows Museum very soon: Saturday evening, February 3, to all The Fashionistas and Fashionistas 2!  I think that Dallas will have never experienced an exhibition like this one:Beautiful clothing by Balenciaga, Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta, Ungaro, and Courreges presented in a

one of kind setting designed by Winn Morton. I can assure you that the Meadows are nervous about having vintage fashion images on the wall that's not ART you know. Well, I think we are going to show them what art and fashion are all about. It is not always something tangible but you know it when you see it! I look forward to your attendance and support of this major exhibition. Heidi and I will rely on your support throughout the spring, to promote this exhibition. Not just for the sake of being at the Meadows, but as a catalyst for our future plans for building a fashion museum at 1901 Main. Remember that Diana Vreeland joined The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum in 1972 - that puts Dallas 35 years behind them, for having fashion exhibitions.

Myra Walker, guest curator for Balenciaga

A FEW WORDS FROM HELLO KELLY AND VISUAL RAY
As a new year begins, we take a moment to reflect. When did a basic necessity, like clothing, become such an all-consuming passion? While sitting in front of a computer it's easy to be analytical and full of purpose. Yet, when confronted by the choices of what to wear, the romance and nostalgia of our wardrobes suddenly suck us in.

We can't separate the reality of what to wear from the memories of which we were when we wore that garment some magical time from many moons past.

56 pieces of clothing later, 2 boxes of tissues, for some odd subconscious reason the soft voice of Barbra Streisand singing "The Way We Were," we stand before our closets protecting the clothes that we will never wear again. Sentiment and Fashion, why do they go so fiercely hand in hand?

We know that our closets are finite. (There are only so many spare bedrooms that can be converted into extra closet space.) No matter the logic, we still cling to the outmoded garments and the fashion faux pas of our lives, like children embracing a beloved, but care worn toy. Hmmm? Couldn't my spouse dress in the garage, where he keeps all the sporting equipment that is necessary to him?

New styles beckon to us, like a Siren's song, from the glossy pages of magazines. We tell ourselves once again we must evaluate our wardrobes and ruthlessly edit to make room. Four hours later, we are sitting on the floor of our dressing room surrounded by mountains of clothing we can't bear to let go of. We stare at a small pile of garments we have struggled to cull from the closet, a pair of acid-washed jeans, two T-shirts from the last "Grateful Dead" tour and a faux Versace that we can't remember how it got into the closet in the first place.

Suddenly, you look up to see the Kilimanjaro sized stack of shoeboxes... Maybe the children could go to Boarding School? Not gonna happen, Sister! It's time to call in a professional! Oh wait! Shoot, I AM a professional! Call in the Fashion Assassin, no far too ruthless. Take that shot of Tequila in hand, you can do this. First, anything that no longer fits is out! Next, if it's the wrong color, needs to be mended or wouldn't flatter my worse enemy on her best day it's got to go! There will always be that important "nostalgic piece”; it gets 6 months to prove it's true value. If it does not make its mark, by summer, it must go! Donate what you can to good homes, like Fashion on Main. Atta Girl, You have done a great job! Now get out there and shop! You've got closet space to fill!    
By Ray Sauders and Kelly McCall

New Year's Eve at the Nasher was everything a New Year's bash should be - delicious food and great wine, gorgeous decorations, glamorous people, lively entertainment, and just plain old fun.  To read the entire review of the evening, visit www.pinkmemo.com.

DALLAS AUCTION GALLERY HOSTS THE FASHIONISTAS
Dallas Auction Gallery was founded in 2002 by Kathi and Scott Shuford and is one of the leading regional auction houses in the country, specializing in antique furniture, fine art, porcelains, art glass, silver and decorative accessories.  On Wednesday, January 24th, beginning at 5:00 p.m, they will auction off their first Couture Collection from the estate of Montine Wisdom.  This collection contains day and evening wear by Chanel, Galanos and Nina Ricci as well as sable, broadtail, mink and lynx furs by Galanos, Bisang and others.  There is a stunning set of Louis Vuitton luggage and some fine Chanel, Judith Lieber and Paloma Picasso handbags.  Other items of interest are the early and Art Deco beaded evening bags, costume jewelry by Schiaparelli, Hattie Carnegie, Eisenberg, Coppola, Dior, and Chanel.  

The Fashionistas will be the first to see this important collection from one of Dallas's great ladies of style.  Some of you, I'm sure, knew Montine well.  I always enjoyed seeing her at events and admired her impeccable taste.  Please join us for cocktails and couture on Wednesday, January 17 from 6:30-8:30.  1518 Slocum Street.  rsvpdallas@modernluxury.com, 214-880-0003 ext. 300.  You can view the catalog on line after January 14, www.dallasauctiongallery.com.  

Many thanks to Dallas Auction Gallery, and our devoted media sponsor, Modern Luxury.

THE FASHIONISTAS PICKS OF THE MONTH
As painful as it is, now is the time to start shaping up.  I am a die-hard exercise freak and have spent the lasts 35 years doing every kind of exercise program on the planet.  These are some of my current favorites:

EXHALE
Exhale has two types of classes - Core Fusion and Yoga.  The yoga classes are the best and most challenging in the city.  Julie Boyd is one of my favorite yoga instructors in the world and can do things with her body that would amaze even the Forty Deuce dancers.  Sabre Hanson teaches a killer Core Fusion class that works every muscle in your body, combining movements from yoga, dance and pilates.  After your workout you can treat yourself to a soothing massage. Tel. 214-295-2567, www.exhale.com

PERFORMANCE PLAYGROUND
If you are looking for the best personal trainers around, give Performance Playground a call.  Everyone over there is extremely knowledgeable and can design a program that targets your specific needs - want to improve your golf game, look a little better on the basketball court, or just want to whip yourself into enviable shape - they can help.  Jason Lazar is my favorite trainer at PP. Tel. 214-522-0611, www.performanceplayground.com

PARK CITIES YMCA
Good old Park Cities YMCA.  I have been going there on and off since I moved here 13 years ago.  What I like about it is that they are constantly updating their equipment and adding new, innovative classes to their schedule.  The other day I took a really fun new class called Zumba, which combines Latin dance and aerobics.  During the morning and evening rush hours, you'll have to beat your way through the crowds and probably park several blocks away, but the monthly fee is so reasonable, that it's hard to complain. www.parkcitiesymca.com

SUNSTONE YOGA
We all need a little more yin in our lives.  After a week of brutal workouts, I like to run over to Sunstone Yoga on Saturday mornings for their Fire class.  The room is hot, so you really work up a good sweat after a 1 1/2 hour session of stretching and balancing postures.  Their Wood, Earth, Water, and Metal classes are also excellent. www.sunstoneyoga.com

LANCOME

Don't forget, your face needs shaping up, too.  Give the Lancôme Boutique a call and book a facial and brow shaping session.  Also, on January 17, 10-5, Ross Burton, Lancôme’s National Artistic Director, will be in the boutique to give expert makeup consultations and tips on advanced techniques.  Reservations are extremely limited, so book your appointment with Ross ($250) or a Professional Makeup Artist ($100) now.  (Reservation fee is redeemable in product). Tel. 214-750-9364, www.lancome.com

OSCAR de la RENTA

Now that you have a hot bod, glowing skin and a few new makeup tricks under your belt, you'll need something to wear.  Check out the Oscar de la Renta boutique at NorthPark Center.  Say "hi" to fellow Fashionista and boutique manager, Mary Lou Connor and have her show you some of the stunning pieces from the Spring 2007 collection. www.oscardelarenta.com