Artist Dan Rees Exhibition at The Goss Michael Foundation

The artful selection of events that inundated the social calendar the weekend of April 12 included the reception opening for the exhibition of British-born artist Dan Rees at the Goss Michael Foundation.

As the first resident artist at The Goss-Michael Foundation, Dan Rees created the series of original works during his residency at The Foundation. Rocks, pebble-dash and oils, equate to a realistic use of dirty materials juxtaposed with fine art, clashing the boundaries and ideals of elitism and reality, Rees uses elements associated with the working class and crosses the concepts of paintings, installations and sculpture.

Co-Founders Kenny Goss and the lovely Joyce Goss introduced guests Ken Downing, Jessica Nowitzki, Anais Assoun, Anna-Sophia van Zweden, Joan Davidow, Christen and Derek Wilson, Walter Van Beirendonck, and Peter Doroshenko, to the artist and his debut ‘residency’ exhibition.

The exhibition continues till July 27 at The Goss Michael Foundation 1405 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas TX 75207.

Dallas-Based Design Label RubyBritt Debuts in Hollywood Film

Dallas-based design house RubyBritt will be taking over the big screen in the upcoming major motion picture, Rumors of Wars! Discovered by celebrity stylist Dusty Wilson at New Orleans Fashion Week, he immediately fell in love with the RubyBritt collection and selected several looks for the character “Claire” played by Kelsey Sanders.

We will see Sanders, also a RubyBritt fan, wear a range of adorable silk dresses from the spring 2013 collection, which are a perfect representation of the brand’s casual elegance. Lucky for us, these same fashions are available to shop online—a chance to dress like the stars!

The designer, Chelsea Stumo, founded the label after attending the prestigious London College of Fashion and making a serendipitous move to Dallas. Her design aesthetic is described as confident and classy with modern sophistication. All garments are proudly produced locally, from the initial sketch to final product.

Click here to visit RubyBritt online and view the full collection. Rumors of Wars is due to be released later this year.

Nikki Reed Chats About Her Exclusive Jewelry Collaboration with 7 For All Mankind

From Twilight to Starry Knight, Miss Nikki Reed, oh I mean, Mrs. Paul McDonald, (she married the ‘American Idol’ contestant October 2011) is emphatically adorable. The Twilight actress has collaborated with 7 For All Mankind on an exclusive jewelry collection. The capsule collection launched last week, but sweet Nikki arrived in Dallas to promote her collection at the 7 For All Mankind boutique in Northpark Center last night. Decked out in denim and jewelry, I sat sofa-side with Nikki and chatted about her latest jewelry venture.

Destroyed Denim Shirt in Vintage Indigo: $198, paired with their Pleated Short in Coated Black: $178.

Decked out with the 7FAM x Nikki Reed “Starry Knight” necklace: $78, and 7FAM x Nikki Reed “Starry Knight” earring: $48. All available at 7ForAllMankind.com

When you started designing the collection, how did you find inspiration?

A few of the pieces are actually revamped version from the previous collection, such as the Humility necklace, the bangles and earrings.

My grandmother made ceramic murals in the 50’s, she was designing—pretty much she was a pioneer. Women were wearing aprons, and she was out there on her own totally independent, divorced from her husband with my father as her only child at the time. She was making art and putting it on buildings—I always imagined a very glamorous interpretation of that. I love her work, and I love what she does, so I made a few of the pieces from the previous collection that were inspired from her Underwater Collection—great fish pieces.

For this collection I asked 7 For All Mankind to send me their lookbook; a lot of their denim tends to have really cool patterns, embellishments and lace. So I wanted to see what they had going on for the spring collection. I turned in one too many sketches, twelve ideas, and they picked a few, and we worked together to find that right number for the collection.

I knew no matter what that I wanted to design a necklace like Starry Knight that could go with a denim shirt. My husband and I do music together and we kinda have this thing where we wear a matching denim look. He’s from Nashville, and the music is kind of folky, country, so I’ve been wearing a lot of denim shirts, and I feel a little masculine. You can’t wear a long layer necklace, and I’m used to layering everything that I have, so I wanted to design, selfishly, a necklace that could go with what I’ve been wearing. I don’t wear long earrings they are not my staple, I am more of a necklace person, and so I wanted to make an earring that felt more like a stud. The earrings are like a stud with an extended dagger.

Describe pieces in the jewelry collection and how they compliment the spring collection?

I designed pieces that could be dressed up or down, mixing the metals, silver and gold, which goes really well with denim. I wanted to layer, I wanted bracelets so that with a denim shirt it could all go together, and slide and stack.

What is your favorite piece?

I don’t know, they all remind me of different things, and I love to layer and I like having a story behind everything. The Humility—the honeycomb pattern that I’ve done on a few of my pieces, I made for my brother because he introduced me to the idea of bee farming. Every time I wear something, it reminds me of somebody, so its hard for me pick my favorite. They are all really personal.

What’s next for Mattlin Era?

It all depends; the word ‘no’ has never stopped me in my life. This has not been easy, people think, ‘oh you’re in Twilight’ but it doesn’t work like that, for my first collection I was turned down, and turned down until I literally sat down with Glam Boutique and told them here are my sketches—I can do this by myself. You have to, really fight for what you want and prove you have a vision behind it, and a reason behind it. People don’t get excited, unless you’re excited about it, and that enthusiasm has to be genuine.

The collaboration styles perfectly with the 7 For All Mankind spring collection combining the necklaces, earrings and bangles. All available at the store in Northpark Center on online at 7ForAllMankind.

Photo: Peter Larson / WireImage

Join Fashion Group International of Dallas for Fall 2013 Trend Presentation

Fashion Group International of Dallas, is thrilled is host guest Fashion Curator Marylou Luther, Creative Director of FGI New York. Join program presenter Dallas board member Jennifer de Socarraz Fleming and learn the scoop on the Fall 2013 ready-to-wear trends.

The event is this coming Tuesday, so hurry to purchase your tickets on EventBrite. For more information on Fashion Group International of Dallas, and how to become a member visit FGI

Aftershock London Arrives at The Plaza at Preston Center

Aftershock London makes history today with the opening of their flagship store in The Plaza at Preston Center. With over 100 stores internationally, this Dallas location (lucky us!) will be the brand’s first foray into the United States.

Along with a stateside arrival, Aftershock brings an assortment of high-quality, fashion forward items that range from casualwear to evening gowns and accessories. The brand is even approved by Queen Elizabeth II—receiving an award by Her Majesty for representing British fashion outside the U.K.

In store, the spring collection features colorful chevron-striped knits on adorable maxi dresses and sweaters, along with trendy bright-hued jeans, and sunny shift dresses like the one pictured above. Evening wear is especially glam this season with sequins aplenty and ethereal floral details.

To add some international flair to your closet, visit Aftershock London at 8383 Preston Center Plaza, Suite 160, or click here to shop online.

Deborah Gaspar Spring Jewelry Collection

Deborah Gaspar is the eponymous Dallas-based jewelry designer with a signature for making exquisitely handcrafted pieces. Her creations often combine natural materials like lustrous mother-of-pearl, semi-precious stones, silver, gold and rose gold; mixing metals that result in ultra-versatile pieces fit for every occasion.

This spring, the Deborah Gaspar jewelry collection continues the natural aesthetic through the use of spring seasonal colors with pops of rose quartz and turquoise on a long chain necklace. Many pieces can be worn multiple ways, which is a great option to make those wardrobe dollars stretch!

Thoughtfully designed to fit the needs of every woman, Deborah Gaspar jewelry can be seen around town gracing Dallasites like Gene Jones, Clarice Tinsley, and Victoria Snee. Even best-dressed New Yorker Katie Couric dons Deborah! Click here to discover the collection online or visit local boutiques Julep and Sussie’s.

VBH Presentation at Och8 Kitchen + Cocktails

April set social schedules ablaze, with fashion and art events a plenty, and on April 12^th Bruce Hoeksema of luxury handbag and jewelry collection VBH, visited Dallas for a private presentation of his latest styles.

Yvette Ostolaza, Bruce Hoeksema, Chef Joel Haloff, and Paula North.

Hosted by Paula North and Yvette Ostolaza at Och8 Kitchen + Cocktails, guests included Lori Jones, Rachael Dedman, Simona Beal, Penny Reid, Diane Saslaw and Sonia Black. Shopping with nibbles presented by Chef Joel Harloff who served signature favorites, such as Ahi Tuna “Chimichurri” Ceviche, and BBQ Duck Confit Quesadilla with House Margarita on the Rocks.

Hoeksema stayed in Dallas for the weekend and graciously contributed a VBH bag to the Art Ball benefiting the Dallas Museum of Art.

You’re Invited: Aftershock London Official Launch Party

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II thinks Aftershock London is cool enough to honor with an excellence award, and with 100 stores internationally, Dallas gets a taste of its very own cool Britannia next month.

Brit-glam, and high fashion women’s wear and accessories arrives at The Plaza at Preston Center, so gather your girlfriends and celebrate at the official launch party of the U.S. flagship boutique.

RSVP: To attend email Aftershock

Visit: Aftershock London.

Take a Trip South of the Border for Cinco de Mayo

When we think of Cinco de Mayo our mind immediately goes to the typical cocktail of Mexico…and Texas, our beloved Margarita. And, though we love our tequila and Cointreau infused, limey and sweet drink, consider shaking your Cinco de Mayo up a bit this year with something a little Mexican with a hint of Spain, a Sangrita. Dating back to the 1920’s the idea behind a Sangrita was to create a non-alcoholic drink to sip alongside your favorite shot of tequila, blanco is preferred to help enhance the sweet and spicy notes of 100% blue agave tequila, but reposado is also delicious.

Filled with a combination of citrus and spice, similar to the Frutas y Verduras de la Calle, or simply sliced jicama, cucumber, mango, cantaloupe and pineapple tossed with lime, salt and chile powder often served by roadside vendors throughout Mexico, crushed with fresh orange or pomegranate juice. The combination with tequila, and sometimes with an extra shot of limejuice on the side, will transport you to a white sandy beach in Cancun for sunrise cocktails in minutes. If sipping this spicy drink isn’t enough, consider taking advantage of some of the incredible offerings at the JW Marriott in Cancun this spring, including their Mayan Discovery Experiences at JW Marriott Cancun Resort or their sister property CasaMagna Marriott Resort. The luxurious stay includes gorgeous accommodations; 80 minute couples massages, $50 daily resort credits and more, even a little authentic Mexican culture with tickets to the Mayan Museum in Cancun. Details with special pricing on their websites.

Sangrita: Courtesy of Omar López, JW Marriott Cancun Resort

1 part freshly squeezed orange juice

2 parts freshly squeezed tomato juice

1 part freshly squeezed limejuice

Worcestershire sauce

1/2-ounce grenadine

Dash of salt

Dash of pepper

Dash of Tabasco

2 ounces Camarena Tequila Reposado or Avion Tequila Silver

Directions: To prepare, mix all of the ingredients together in a container and let stand a few minutes; Chill before serving is best. Serve straight up or over ice with the tequila on the side.

Calypso St. Barth Re-launches Preston Plaza Boutique

Earlier this month, Calypso St. Barth re-launched their Preston Plaza location by merging the home and apparel stores into a one-stop shop lifestyle boutique. A popular resident of the plaza for years, customers now have the convenience of visiting a single shopping destination for their resort style needs.

The new boutique reveals signature Calypso St. Barth motifs, featuring natural wooden floors, shell chandeliers, and an open-air aesthetic—a living reflection of the brand’s free-spirited yet exotic design.

The product selection is equally as interesting with items ranging from breezy maxi dresses to embellished caftans, all pieces that transition easily from vacation wardrobe to everyday wear. Home furnishings include rustic furniture, brightly printed pillows, and unique accessories with vintage appeal.

To get in on the island infusion, click here or visit the Calypso St. Barth boutique at The Plaza at Preston Center, 8312 Preston Center Plaza in Dallas.