YOUR ELEMENT by Kimberly Kroll
On January 17th, THE FASHIONISTAS were one with the earth ... (water, wind, AND fire, that is !) when D Magazine hosted a unique premiere event at F.I.G. properly called "Your Element," which benefited The Fashionistas. This distinctive event celebrated both the visual and fashion arts, with local artists creating one-of-a-kind pieces which honored and explored the four worldly elements: earth, water, wind and fire. Local artists Bob Poe, Mikki Mallow, Frankie Garcia III, and Zach Saucedo each individually created a painting that showcased a particular element and the four talents then collaborated on a piece that accentuated the interaction of the elements as a whole. These pieces were auctioned off, and the proceeds benefited The Fashionistas. In addition, up-and-coming student fashion designers Jonathan Aparicio, Taryn Hatcher, Kristin Hennessy, and Kahn Nguyen, all from the University of North Texas, created fashion pieces that reflected each element which were presented alongside the paintings. F.I.G was packed full of awestruck guests who marveled at the creativity of these talented mavericks, and everyone enjoyed eating a variety of fun foods out of chinese take-out boxes. The evening flourished with an overall aura of innovation. Needless to say, the event was 'Fashionista Fabulous!'

YLANG/23
"Aging sucks!" according to beauty and style expert Charla Krupp. I couldn't agree more, so when Ylang23 owner Joanne Teichman called to ask if THE FASHIONISTAS would be interested in doing a party with Charla I was ecstatic. Charla's book, How Not to Look Old, does not tell you how to grow old gracefully and celebrate your wrinkles (that would never occur to me), nor does it tell you run to your plastic surgeon for a complete overhaul. Instead, you can learn about 10 things you can do in the next 10 minutes to take off 10 years. Looking Y & H (young and hip in Charla speak) helps keep the grey-is-the-new-blonde set in the game when everyone around you is a kid. This is a must read for everyone over 40!

Charla is an adorable, petite and perky blonde of unknown age (she absolutely won't tell) who exudes a youthful exuberance and definitely looks Y & H. A number of our Y & H Fashionistas came out to get some valuable advice from Charla and drink exotic martinis including Kim Mathews, Joyce Goss Rhonda Chambers, Kim Whitman Claire Emanuelson, Monica Gross and Tracy Hayes. Joanne is a stickler for details - she arranged with the Galleria to have the Ylang/23 and Fashionistas logos emblazoned all over the ice rink!

BRADLEY BAYOU
Bradley Bayou and his ex wife, Twinkle Underwood, were the toast of the town in the 80's. In his mid twenties at the time, Bradley made a fortune as a real estate developer, working for renowned firms including Richard Meier and O'Neal Ford. He and Twinkle lived the high life, hanging with the jet set and entertaining Rock Hudson and Andy Warhol at their University Park home. When the real estate market crashed, Bradley's life changed dramatically and he, understandably, went into a deep depression. Now, the award winning fashion designer resides in Los Angeles and has gained widespread recognition in the fashion world as the past creative director for Halston and designer of his own eponymous line of couture clothes that celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Eva Longoria, Halle Berry and Beyonce Knowles can be seen wearing on the red carpet. Bayou also designs a line for QVC and has written a must-have book for everyone who wants to make the best of their figure entitled The Science of Sexy.

Modern Luxury sponsored a runway presentation and party featuring Bradley and his collection of couture dreams to Dallas at my Turtle Creek home. Furniture was moved into the garage and replaced with chick black benches. Behind the scenes the Lancome makeup artists, lead by artistic director Manny Villegasma, and my talented friends from Kevin Charles salon made the models runway ready. Loved the big hair! Sewell Cadillac generously underwrote the valet parking, thanks to Fashionista board member Jacquelin Sewell and Rikki Ehlert. Bradley's forte is understanding a woman's body and making them look and feel beautiful in their clothes. If you're ever in L.A., you can visit his salon at 127 North Ribertson Blvd., or check out his web site at www.bradleybayou.com.

MARTIN + OSA by Jackie Villacci
The Martin + Osa store at NorthPark center was the place to be Thursday evening during Fashion at the Park. I strutted into Martin+Osa^TM, the entrance was dressed with clothing and accessories that can be described as wistful with solids, pastels and crisp whites chosen by Martin+Osa^TM’s Store Director, Shauna Davison and brand manager, Leslie Smith. DJ Parker Lawson got the energy flowing while fellow Fashionistas sipped on champagne and cocktails called caparinhas made with Leblon Brazilian Rum – the perfect drink to wash down Lisa Garza’s chic bites. THE FASHIONISTAS business manager, Kim Kroll greeted me wearing a Martin+Osa^TM silk lemon cami and black pants. I immediately began to peruse over the merchandise. Everything from jeans, to vibrant colored polos for men, to classic navy dresses for women complete with a navy HOBO International vinyl handbag and Ray Band sunglasses can be found in the Martin+Osa^TM collection.

After eyeing a few adorable patterned silk skirts, Laura Colligan and Doss Alexander snapped up the Navy HOBO Clutch. Laura playfully insisted that I model it for a few moments. I played along without question and then hand it back, only for her to insist I carry the clutch for a bit longer, since it went so well with my A-line navy dress. The clutch, itself, is larger than the average dainty purse and has a magnetic clasp, which maintains a sleek, simple look for an accessory. This bag was a huge hit and was literally flying off the shelves. There is also a smaller version of it in the same popular navy color with a zipper closure.

After I had a few quick pictures and another cool glass of champagne, Heidi Dillon entered. She looks casual and chic sporting a v-neck Martin+Osa^TM Navy knit dress. She looked around the store and was very pleased with the turnout of evening’s event. Just as she excused herself, I tore myself away from the clothing for the first time since I came and understood why Heidi was so pleased - the store was absolutely packed with Fashionistas like Dave Lopez, Kim Askew, Debbie Denman, Monica Gross, Joyce Goss, Tifffany Hall, Greg Asher and David Martin - all enjoying the M + O vibe and clean, refreshing styles for spring.

At M + O, classic navy is the new navy. Navy makes an appearance with every ensemble. From knit pullovers, dresses, belts and shoes — navy is to spring as winter is to black and can be easily paired with pinks, Kelly greens and whites. This is definitely the “it” color of this season.

I walked through Martin+Osa^TM for a final look around and as much as I would have loved to stay, my feet had definitely expired. As I walked out I was handed a charming gift bag. I got home, took off my shoes and realized my fatal mistake: I was so overwhelmed by the fabulous evening I never got a chance to purchase that delightful HOBO clutch! Not to worry, I open my Martin+Osa^TM gift bag I saw that inside there was a generous coupon. I took the coupon as a sign to head back to Martin+Osa^TM the next day.

JEWELS IN THE JUNGLE by Kimberly Kroll
On May 16th, THE FASHIONISTAS will play host to an NGO out of Uganda called Caring Hands with a benefit entitled "Jewels in the Jungle." Caring Hands was started in early 2006 to provide income for the women of a small village outside of Kampala, Uganda. At Caring Hands, beautiful African bracelets, necklaces, and anklets are created out of recycled paper. This jewelry is then sold to other local villages and the profits are used to reinvest in the community into two separate funds. The first fund is an Emergency Fund that helps with immediate needs of the village such as hospital bills, rent, school fees, etc. The second fund is a Micro-Finance fund that helps provide start-up capital for local businesses in order to build and grow businesses, providing opportunities for those in need through additional jobs, resources, and money.

"Jewels in the Jungle" will take place from 8-10:30 pm at One Arts Plaza on May 16th, 2008. The theme of the night is jungle design with a keen focus on promoting “green” environmental consciousness. Models in African attire will be adorned in Caring Hands jewelry, and African-themed food and music will be enjoyed while video displays of Caring Hands play. Tickets are priced at $25, and $75, the latter including one "Runway" level membership to The Fashionistas and access to the event's VIP After-Party at ghostbar, graciously sponsored by the N9NE Group. For event information and tickets RSVP to: kim.kroll@thefashionistas.org

JOANNE TEICHMAN
Joanne Teichman has always loved fashion. A graduate of UT in Journalism, with a Masters in Advertising from Northwestern U, she worked in marketing for Procter & Gamble and then moved to New York ad agencies, working on Breck shampoo and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in the 80’s. It was in New York that she met Charles, who was consulting for Ylang-Ylang on Madison, and they moved to Dallas to open the store at Galleria.

Joanne’s outside passions, beyond her family- daughter and fashionista Alysa (Northwestern Junior) and son Jake (Greenhill 8th Grader)-include photography and writing, which can be found on her blog (Joanne’s Eye on ylang23.com), and in her occasional articles as guest editor for Paper City. She is also passionate about giving to favorite non-profits which include Food4Kids, Family Place, Art for the Bridge benefiting the Bridge Breast Network (Joanne is a 5 year breast cancer survivor), and most recently, THE FASHIONISTAS.

Joanne is the creative vision for Ylang 23, which is the top specialty account nationally for Cathy Waterman, Ten Thousand Things, Me & Ro, and others, and her “baby” is its website, ylang23.com. Her signature look is black, black, and more black – heavily sprinkled with Hermes, Chanel, Lanvin, Narcisso, Bottega and Armani, and most often accompanied by Manolos and yes, amazing jewelry. Ylang 23 will be celebrating 23 years this year. Why 23? Joanne & Charles met on the 23rd, were married on the 23rd and it is the family’s lucky number. So why not?

VEUVE CLIQUOT LA GRANDE DAME by Jackie Villacci
La Grande Dame is the heart and ultimate expression of Veuve Clicquot. Living up to the historic high standards established by Madame Clicquot, La Grand Dame produced by Moet Hennessy, is the favorite drink of THE FASHIONISTAS. This unique wine is produced with 8 different grapes from Grand Crus. Your palate will experience a complex bouquet of floral, fruit and sweet almond — overall, a basic blend of 64% Pinot Noir and 36% Chardonnay. Time is required to create such an exquisite balance for the 1998 Vintage and it is, indeed, worth the wait.

CAROLINA HERRERA by Jackie Villacci
March 27th, 2008 marks a memorable day fashionistas at Highland Park Village. It is the day that Carolina Herrera opened its 5,000 square foot store and Dallas became one of three cities to hold this exclusive designer boutique along with New York City and Los Angeles. In CH's spring collection you will experience a color pool of blues, petal greens, black, white, and reds that are taken from water colorist Jeremiah Goodman's art collection. It's all about layers - layering being the premise of this spring's collection. This collection also maintains what store manager Justin Ghirardi calls CH's 'signature trademark, embroidery that creates a sculptural effect. Ghirardi's hot picks for the season: Lizard and Python in neutral colors that can be worn with brown, black, or hot pink. Overall, customers will find that Carolina Herrera provides the luxury that comes with private shopping and will receive free alterations and full service assistance, by appointment only.

Our Mission

THE FASHIONISTAS FOUNDATION is a group of dynamic, talented people committed to transforming the social and cultural landscape of Dallas by celebrating the art form that is fashion.