Compared to how I was at last year’s event, I was much more tame at this year’s Strut 5.12 fashion show. Maybe it was the indoor brightly lit atmosphere compared to last year’s nightly outdoor event, or the fact that I attended this year’s event solo. But whatever the reason, I did not walk stumble out of this year’s event from too much free tequila. Not that there wasn’t plenty of that to be had at Strut 5.12 this year. The free booze flowed like the recent Austin rain fall.
Of course, I didn’t totally say no to the party libations. I think Michele Utt, founder and creative director of MKV Productions which was responsible for the the event, was worried when she saw me walking away from the runway right before the show was about to start. “The show’s about to start” she said. To which I replied, “I know. But I gotta get a new drink, I party fouled mine.” But, my drink was not actually spilled because I had drank too much (I just like scaring Michele.) I actually blame the spillage entirely on the fact that I was struck by this locally made Manic Trout necklace which was being auctioned off for CapCity Kids. I got a little too excited about the seahorse necklace that I accidentally swung my purse into my drink spilling most of its contents onto the table (and my friend Cathy’s purse.) When you knock a cocktail over onto a table that is holding auction items for charity, the best thing to do is be very apologetic and then walk the hell away. Luckily nothing was damaged in my spaztic excitement.
Although the main attraction at this charitable event was supposed to be the fashion show, I’m afraid the show was stolen by a guitarist named Luis Banuelos. The crowd seemed to have been put into a trance with his titillating solo performance. I honestly didn’t know one person playing one guitar could sound like that! (*insert sexual innuendo about solo guitar fingering here*). After such an awesome musical performance, it would have been nice if the fashion show itself had been driven more by the music. I usually like to dance while I take runway photos, and the music during the runway show was a little lacking, both in volume and energy. As far as the fashions went, the mens clothing from Capra and Cavelli was particularly a snooze fest. There were a few standout dresses from St.Thomas, and 81 Poppies always has some safe and cute, well tailored clothing. But, I don’t think any of the womens clothing would have been that exciting without the statement jewelry by Sugar Gay Isber. Her pieces are always really runway friendly and make every-day wearable clothing more artful. Thank you Sugar for providing a little bit of spice to this show. Sugar and spice make everything nice!
Check out the fashions from the Strut 5.12 show:
Spring Frost shoes, St.Thomas dresses
Joanna Wilkinson
Keep Austin Stylish