Dish This

The latest nightlife delight comes by way of Dish. Proving to be quite the mash-up of venues, it’s where gourmet gets its groove.  A sophisticated and sleek restaurant by day, the place to see and be seen by night.  From dream team Tim McEneny (known for his nocturnal know-how) and Doug Brown (culinary genius), Dish serves up contemporary comfort cuisine for the Dallas nightlife scenesters.  Chandeliers sweep elegantly over a sexy, modern space, as LED lights change colors almost to the beat of the bass seemingly pumping through your smoked pecan brownie.  In short, its dish-licious.

What: Dish Restaurant and Lounge

Where: 4123 Cedar Springs Road

Visit: www.dish-dallas.com

Boy. Meets girl.

Boy. by Band of Outsiders is one of my favorite labels: the menswear inspired blazers, skinny pants, and most coveted, last fall’s necktie bandage skirt, are always at the top of my must have list.

Designer Scott Sternberg has created a cult brand, even winning the best-menswear-designer award last year from the CFDA in a tie with Calvin Klein’s creative director Francisco Costa. Quite a feat for a former Hollywood talent agent with very little design training.

Unfortunately for us, the line ranges from $135 for a T-shirt to $1,750 to a blazer – a less than affordable price for ‘basics’. If you’re also a fan, you’ll be pleased to hear that Sternberg is launching girl., a less expensive diffusion line with more feminine touches.

The designer wants to push his $12 million business into a $40 million one in the next three years, which he knows requires a broader client base, and to expand in the world of womenswear.

For him, that means going from two women’s collections per year to four, and meeting with equity investors to find financing for the expansion. For us, it means more Boy. inspired clothes for the girl.’s.

Taste of the Nation

Where celebrity meets charity the Share Our Strength’s Annual Taste of the Nation event will be hosting a table preview and Patron Reception this Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 from 6-8pm.  Join Stephan Pyles this year’s honorary chef, host chef Blythe Beck, and Event Chair Terri Provencal at The Patio at Samar by Stephan Pyles.  This precursor party will set the mood for the main course event held on May 16th, which begins with a lavish cocktail reception at the Palomar, followed by a four-course dinner with wine pairings personally prepared by a chef from restaurants such as Stephan Pyles, Central 214, Fearing’s, Abacus, Charlie Palmer, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Nick and Sam’s, Nobu, Bolsa, Acrodoro Pomodoro, The Place at Perry’s and John Tesar.  100% of ticket sale proceeds will be distributed locally in the fight to end childhood hunger in North Texas.  Beneficiaries include:  The North Texas Food Bank, The Wilkinson Center, and the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

Chef Stephan Pyles

What: Share Our Strength’s Annual Taste of the Nation Table Preview and Patron Reception

When: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 from 6-8pm

Where: The Patio at Samar by Stephan Pyles, 2100 Ross Avenue at Pearl

RSVP: Terri Provencal at 214.642.1124 or terri@provencalconsultinggroup.com

Rock On B. Rawlings

B. Rawlings is the perfect love child of gunmetal and glamour.  This ultra luxe jewelry line by New York based, Brittany Rawlings, shows some major rockablity, with pieces that are anything but tone deaf.  Multi-textured chain necklaces, killer baubles on bracelets, and color that calls for an encore will undeniably turn you into an instant groupie.

What: B. Rawlings by Brittany Rawlings

Visit: www.brawlings.com

Tom Ford’s New Hires

Not a newsflash: Tom Ford is launching a women’s collection sometime in the next year (despite the aura of secrecy that the usually media-friendly designer has attempted to create around it).

Newsflash: Joining Ford’s team as consultants will be Caroline Tixier, women’s RTW designer at Givenchy and Pablo Coppola, accessories designer at Alexander McQueen.

But the real cherry on the sundae is his new cobbler: Michael Lewis.  You may not recognize his name, but you probably know his work, because the Brit footwear phenom has designed shoes for the likes of Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, Christopher Bailey at Burberry, Tom Ford at Gucci, Luella and Loewe.

If Lewis puts his own quirky aesthetic into the shoes, expect to see ornate, architectural heels and bold, graphic color combinations — the exact opposite of Ford’s clean, sleek look.  Hopefully Ford will finally give this designer the recognition he deserves rather than keeping him hidden behind the seams…

The Limited and Jodi Arnold at NorthPark

MISS the GLOSSY?  You’re invited to a fashion fête celebrating the exclusive new spring collection by The Limited and fashion designer Jodi Arnold. Meet, greet, and sip with Arnold at the fashion show, cocktail, and dessert party as she unveils spring’s sweetest pieces at The Limited at NorthPark Center. The Limited’s VP of Design, Elliot Staples, will be joining Jodi to offer style advice and give you the best tips on how to mix and match your favorites in the collection.

Be sure to RSVP and arrive early to grab one of the fabulous gift bags (*supplies are limited) valued at over $50.00 each!  An added bonus, guests will receive 40% off The Limited’s regular collection during the event and the first 10 shoppers who show their event invite receive a $25.00 gift certificate (*first ten shoppers must bring their email invitation & make a purchase to receive the card).

What: The Limited’s Exclusive Fashion Event with designer Jodi Arnold as she unveils her exclusive collection for The Limited: cocktails, dessert, a fashion show, and more!

When: March 30th, 6-9pm

Where: The Limited, NorthPark, 8687 Northcentral Expressway, Dallas, TX 75225

RSVP HERE.

Pink About It: Alyssa Nicole

It’s time to think pink! Alyssa Nicole by Alyssa Casares is a flirty, fun and finance friendly line that has captured the attention from punks to princesses alike.  This FIDM student’s main muse is where dress up meets rock and roll; her line boasts beaucoups of bows, chiffon cocktail dresses, and radiant ruffles.  Hitting the fashion floor during NYC’s Fashion Week 2010 she made quite the impression without batting an eyelash, needless to say everyone was tickled…pink.

Cotton Candy

Bows and Arrows

Cupcakes

What: Alyssa Nicole by Alyssa Casares

Visit: www.alyssabird.com

Acne: Shoes I Want Now

Never has there been a brand whose every step I covet, but Swedish label Acne continues to send their girls stomping down the runway in perfectly structured shoes. There is nothing I want more right now than the beauties from Acne’s SS10 collection, but what to choose? From the platform hoof-like boots that have become a fast classic over the last couple seasons, to the suede open toe wedges, they’ve got the ideal bootie down pat. And for those seeking sandals, there’s everything from sexy straps to a rusty nail-like heel and everything in between. All I know is, I want Acne.

Atacoma Black Metal, $599

Brace Goat Suede Ankle Boots, $479

Sapphire Rusty Nail Sandal, $899

Maya in grey leather, $529

Visit: www.acnestudios.com

CFDA Honors McQueen, Announces Nominees

Following his death last month, the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been honored with numerous awards, runway tributes, and most recently, Britain’s top accolade with his win in the Brit Insurance Design Awards.

This summer, McQueen will win our fashion equivalent to the Oscar’s when he is honored posthumously with a Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Board of Directors Special Tribute award.

Other award recipients include American sportswear aficionado Michael Kors, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, model Iman, who will be named Fashion Icon, and Christopher Bailey of Burberry for the International Award.

In other awards categories, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, and last year’s winner for up-and-coming talent Alexander Wang will duke it out for womenswear, while Tom Ford, Michael Bastian, and David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone fight for the menswear category, and Marc Jacobs may be a two time winner, as he is also nominated for Accessory Designer of the Year alongside Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler and Alexis Bittar.

Other award nominees include:

Swarovski Award for Womenswear
Jason Wu
Prabal Gurung
Joseph Altuzarra

Swarovski Award for Menswear
Richard Chai
Simon Spurr
Patrik Ervell

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design
Dana Lorenz for Fenton/Fallon
Alexander Wang
Eddie Borgo

Eugenia Sheppard Award
Kim Hastreiter from Paper Magazine

Eleanor Lambert Award
Tonne Goodman from Vogue

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen and Barrel 27

Where good food meets good wine, Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen is pairing up with Barrel 27 wine company to serve Southern cuisine with style Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 6:30pm.  At $75 per person, each course is charmed with a chosen wine that complements each dish.  Reservations are required for this homegrown get-together where people are sure to relax and “unwined”.

What: Barrel 27 Wine Dinner at Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen

Where: Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen, 6130 Luther Lane

Cost: $75 per person

Contact: Shannon Boruk at 214.250.7664