Austin Fashion Week Kick Off Party – Shift Into Style

By Cheryl Bemis — July 16, 2012

By: Johnny Cardoza

Lead Picture: Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas and Stephen Moser, The Austin Chronicle - Photographer: Sparky Anderson

Austin Fashion Week 2012 jump started with the Shift into Style Kick-Off party Friday night. The Bob Bullock State History Museum was packed with Austin’s fashion fans and socialites, including an appearance by the first lady of Texas Anita Perry. The red carpet was put in high gear showing off super short dresses, to casual Austin comfortable. The focus of the event was two-fold, one was to feature the Formula 1 race cars which were displayed at the entrance of the Bullock Museum (note that the race track is schedule to open November 16. The second was to feature some great runway collections from The Danes Collection, Keeper’s Menswear Store and the premier of Ross Bennett’s collection for the COTA girls (stands for Circuit of The Americas girls). They are the good-will ambassadors for the organization…and of course they need to look stylish! Ross said he was honored to be the first American designer to create the first COTA girl collection. All garments from his collection were sewn in the USA.

The Danes Collection showcased a colorful evening wear collection. Designed by Robert and Rachel Danes from New York, the married pair also have a collection for the working girl. Keepers, a high-end downtown boutique presented a trendy men’s fashion show, focusing on fall fashions, demonstrating how every man can pair a fabulous sports coat with a solid button down shirt and jeans, appropriate for any central Texas event. The night was not complete without the exciting collection by Ross Bennett, NBC’s Fashion Star and hometown designer and his collection for the COTA Girls. The winter white fringed skirts paired with vibrant red blouses were accessorized with Texas inspired belts and boots. Ross’s collection was styled by Austin stylist Edith

VIP ticket holders were treated to a private showing of fashions presented by Austin designer Linda Asaf. The collection, Evolution of Glory, featured ornately constructed cocktail dresses to brocade gold and black pants.

The Shift Into Style Kick Off party successfully showed that Austin is definitely evolving its fashion sense from 0 to 100mph. If this is any indication of what’s to come in the next week, I am more than excited to see what else Austin Fashion Week 2012 has in store!