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| photography courtesy of Lisa Garza |
DOMESTIC DIVA DUDS
Who: Lisa Garza, co-owner and special event planner of Suze Restaurant (husband Gilbert is Suze’s chef and owner of Pantry Organics) What: Haute Hostess, a fashion-savvy line of vintage-inspired aprons Where: The Revolving Door and www.hautehostess.com Price: $75–$350
Garza got her first apron from her grandmother when she was a young girl, imitating Julia Child. She now owns 50 (some that date back to the 1800s) and continues to grow her collection as well as design them for herself and other domestic divas who want to look haute both in and out of the kitchen. Garza pairs them with vintage clothing when managing events. She has collaborated with Texas Top Designer of the Year Abi Ferrin to produce her collection locally. The fall offerings feature eight designs in a variety of jewel tones, in addition to her signature white. The fine linen aprons are produced in silk and cotton voile, batiste, and organza with monogramming and decorative embroidery.
“You can be elegant or spicy. It all depends on the woman wearing the apron. It’s dress up for big girls with great taste for fine things,” Garza says.
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| photography by Elizabeth Lavin |
BESPOKE BALLADS
Who: Julie Michel What: Julie Michel Originals, hand-painted skirts Where: By order at 214-663-6002 Price: $250 and up
Inspired by her love of art (she has been painting for seven years), fashion, and a little romance, Michel put paint to fabric and began creating her artful wares. She scribes Italian and French love sonnets and poems (each skirt is unique) in metallic paints on denim, taffeta, and corduroy. “People would stop me to ask me where I got it. I even had one woman follow me home from a store so she could get one right away,” Michel says. “I find the poems in poetry books I have and recently started painting a friend’s poetry.” She can also create customized skirts using personal poems and words (for all you guys wondering what to get that special someone). The skirts are designed by Michel, produced by a local company, and then sent back for hand-painting. Each saying is translated on a tag that hangs from the skirt. Michel hopes to expand her line to include more fabrics and designs, as well as totes and clutches.
CHIC SHOP
V.O.D. opens this month in Victory Park. Jackie Bolin (former fashion editor for the Dallas Morning News), Liz Thompson (a seasoned buyer), and Elizabeth O’Mahoney have joined forces to present Dallas fashionistas with 1,000 square feet of stimulating styles by the likes of A.P.C., Luella Bartley, Brian Reyes, and Jenny Kayne. Expect a well-edited selection and a lot of personal attention from these ladies. Think personal shopping just for you, directly off the runways of New York Fashion Week. 2418 Victory Park Ln. www.vodboutique.com.
