For the first time since Tribeza started their Style Week event they featured a show entirely for men! In previous years, the annual shows have always been focused and geared for women.

The dry spell has ended and in my opinion it was a nice new addition that I hope continues. And who wouldn’t want to see more good-looking guys strut down the runway.

The Men’s Fashion Show took place at ND studios and fashions were provided by Estilo, Service Menswear and Stag.

Our Fashionably Austin photographers, Gerry Hanan and Melissa Weston were at the end of the runway to take a few shots. Thanks!

The “Through the Decades” fashion show was presented at the Art Museum of Austin by the Art Institute of Austin’s Event Fashion Show Production Class of 2010.

The show was comprised of twenty-two looks that spanned a fashion timeline from the early 1900′s to present day and beyond.

To get more information about the Art Institute of Austin click here.

I always get excited when it’s time for our Fashionably Connected networking events. It’s a chance to see friends and get acquainted with new fashion faces.

Melissa and I just attended Fashion Week in New York and I introduced the hard-working photographers/writers who not only accompanied us in New York but who also helped Fashionably Austin cover nearly every event during Austin Fashion Week. (last count was about 75 events) Melissa Weston, Gerry Hanan, Ashley Andreano, Gregg Cestaro, Maurice Barnett, Ed Lehmann, Rita Quinn, Kathleen Fatta, Rebecca Gonzalez.

Our NY fashion week supporters were also a big part of our fashion week trip…Art Institute of Austin, Dress Shop, Bon Bon (Micah Yancey) Designer Clearance House, Hair stylist Giacomo Forbes and Robin Campbell of Cupidz Clozet. Robin so graciously sponsorsed our stay while in New York and her generiosity is so appreciated. Thank you to all. Your support is sincerely appreciated.

The real highlight of the night was to have Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season 2 winner with us. How fun to be a part of Chloe Dao’s new national laptop bag launch with Staples. She is one of the selected designers for Nuo, an Austin based travel/accessories company. Chloe was not alone on this trip, she was accompanied by her wonder assistant and stylist Adam. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Chloe for a couple of years now and she is probably the most down-to-earth people I have met. She fits right in with the Austin fashion crowd. An announcement was also made regarding the upcoming Houston Fashion Week. Chloe, Christian Siriano, Lauren Bush and several other notable designers will be featured during the October 11-14 event.

Ty Rarick from Nuo said a few words about the new collection then Chloe took the mic and thanked the crowd for coming. She also featured a wonderful “burnt” orange bag that is currently being auctioned off to benefit the New York City food bank during their “Go Orange” campaign.

The organizers for the Stiletto Stampede for the Cure were also on hand to help educate attendees about the October 16 event at the Hill Country Galleria. What could be more fashionable than to run 100 yards in heels to benefit the Komen Austin chapter! Fashionably Austin is a proud media sponsor.

Lisa Kennedy was the lucky winner of one of Chloe’s bags.

Enjoy the gallery pictures from the event shot by Ed Lehmann.

Thank you to Urban Grill for some great appetizers and Bite It, Lick It or Both for the mini cupcakes and the Aloft for providing our space for the event.

The next Fashionably Connected networking event will be in January 2011.

Austin Fashion Designer Valeri Jinxy is part of a independent organization NY Fashion Connect. This fashion outlet assists young and driven designers to help get their fashions noticed and a few times a year they produce fashion shows.

Valeri was on the plane with me to New York along with Diya of In Her Stilettos blog. While waiting for the plane Valerie told me the inspiration for her collection was from Alphonse Mucha, a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist. He is known for his distinct style and his images of women.

You can see more of Valeri’s collection on her etsy website.

While Beauty and Bras was going on inside; outside Launch 787 had a little post post post AFW appreciation mixer with 787 staff , volunteers and guests who enjoyed the serene park like backyard patio, food, cocktails, and conversation.