April 24, 2007
Shopping for a lovingly restored period home? This one is on the market now at $325,000 from the unofficial "Mayor of Bishops Arts", David Spence.
Long before the Bishop Arts area of Oak Cliff was cool, Spence was out pouring sweat equity into his vision of what this neighborhood could be. We're still reaping the rewards today. Spence and architect Trey Bartosh purchased this 1925 prairie-style at 900 N. Bishop as part of their efforts to assemble land to build several new homes on the street.
"We’ve spent several months addressing all the needed maintenance items, upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems, and reworking the site plan and landscaping. The result is a gracious 2,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home that carries no punch list," says Spence.
Find out more at www.goodspace.com
Posted by Christopher Wynn 
at 11:19 AM (E-mail this entry)
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Two of our fave local stylemakers Andrew Bayer and Doug Voisin are hosting a huge trunk show tomorrow night at their store -- House of Dang!
Their self-proclaimed "alternative to terrible" shop opened in the fall with a tightly-packed shindig that had us jamming to Michael Jackson into the wee late hours. The store -- home to lots of unusual and unique finds -- was also named them the best new indie boutique in our 2006 roundup last year in F!D Shops. (We loved the retro feel of the store, also filled with colorful vintage furniture for sale!)
They're promising another smashing party and a peek at some of their newest fashions and accessories from local artisans/labels including Mamas Dirty Pillows, Kelly Lane Jewelry, Cahoots, Orotoro, Aphesis and more. The duo will also be showcasing a new "re-worked" menswear line for their signature House of Dang! label.
Bayer promises us that we'll see everything from cute baby onesies to cool flasks. We're sold...
House of Dang! 4219 Bryan Street, trunk show and party, Wednesday, 6 to 9:30 p.m. 214-827-1146
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Posted by David Ninh at 8:37 AM (E-mail this entry)
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April 23, 2007
We at F!D love to support young talent and this Saturday's Night Mare Ball (dubbed "a superconscious art party") had all the cute, young hipsters out in full-force.
The invite requested all black attire and upon entrance to a dimly lit loft space downtown filled with black candles, we knew we were in for a special treat. The party showcased wares from local artists and concluded with a 10 p.m. "fashion performance" -- showcasing some haunting looks from designer Matt Jalili's fashion line Mattamorphis.
Instead of a traditional runway show with thumping music, models solemnly walked out, dazed and zombie-like in pale white face to a soundtrack of scary sounds (doors creaking and shutting, subtle screams) wearing distressed/reworked ghostly-looking fashions. When asked why he is inspired by the darkness, the self-taught designer tells us that he grew up in a gothic-like home and loved horror movies (he also takes inspiration from avant-garde designers like Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake and John Galliano).
We're all about young designers who thinks outside the box. You can find some of his designs at downtown boutique Crimson in the City (where he also happens to work).
Click here to see footage of the show!
Posted by David Ninh at 1:41 PM (E-mail this entry)
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Photographer Teresa Nasty acted as unofficial mistress of ceremonies at the Night Mare Ball on Saturday. She's planned parties in the past to help showcase local designers and artists (we're sad to have missed the last one called "Hot B****") and for this go around, took it to the dark side.
For the Night Mare Ball, she gathered some talented friends, including designer Matt Jalili who also showed his latest fashion collection "Mattamorphis", and showcased their wares at a studio loft downtown. The theme may have been morbid, but the energy was anything but. Guests, who were encouraged to all wear black, mingled, sipped wine and took in the eerie "fashion performance".
More pictures to come later today!
Posted by David Ninh at 1:39 PM (E-mail this entry)
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The opening of Robb & Stucky Interiors at NorthPark (right next to Barneys) means fans of cushy, oversized furniture no longer have to make the pilgrimage to Plano. The store's newest home -- all 40,000 square feet of it -- offers furnishings and accessories for everything from HP manses and Uptown townhomes to Hill Country cabins. And since this is NorthPark after all, expect a few designer names. The RS roster includes Barbara Barry, Thomas O'Brien, Alexa Hampton, even Ralph Lauren and Nicole Miller. And yes, those fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies you smell are free for the munching in the first-floor RS cafe.
Posted by Tracy Hayes at 12:32 PM (E-mail this entry)
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Consider this a personal testimonial. About a year ago, I received a pair of ProFoot Bottom of the Foot Cushions in a fashion show goodie bag. New York Fashion Week is notoriously hard on feet (among many other things), and the ProFoots instantly became my fave "shock absorbers" ever, shuttled from Pradas to Miu Mius to Chloes and back again while I vainly searched for a source to by more. This week, I learned they were at the last place a retail snob would ever look -- WalMart. So I stocked up as if it was a 75% off sale at Barneys New York. Bring on sandal season!
Posted by Tracy Hayes at 12:03 PM (E-mail this entry)
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On Saturday, hoardes of fans/women lined up at Nordstrom NorthPark to meet and greet Steve Madden. The outspoken shoe designer tells us women have asked him to sign shoes, backs and even chests at past appearances. I lingered around to see if any of that would happen (it didn't), but we did spot plenty of excited fans who hollered and cheered when he came out. He did graciously autograph free tees and posed for pictures for fans -- although he had a tough time posing for our DMN photographer exclaiming, "The best pictures are always candid!"
Posted by David Ninh at 11:30 AM (E-mail this entry)
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We caught these two fashionable Richardson High Schoolers in line at the event. Melanie Brockway (left) and Haley Woerner (right) squealed with delight when we asked to take their photo for the blog.
When asked what they loved about Steve Madden shoes, Melanie exclaimed, "He should be the only one allowed to make shoes!". Haley added, "They're all so cute and go with everything!"
Posted by David Ninh at 11:30 AM (E-mail this entry)
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Contributing guest bloggers Steven Thompson and buddy Darin Robinson (lead guitarist for The Mumbles) took our advice and pounded the pavement at the Dallas Guitar Show this weekend.
They file this report:
- Dallas rocker Rhett Miller (Old 97's) was rumored to have been a surprise guest on Saturday night. But our boys went on Sunday, so no scoop on one of my all time fave musicians. (But I'm not bitter.)
- The guys did catch Monte Montgomery play, saying he was "awesome".
- The show was filled with everything from metal players and emo-rockers (sensitive singer/songwriter) to alt country hell-raisers. After a day of shopping the thousands of guitars on display for sale, Robinson says the next guitar in his collection will be the Rickenbacker 340. Sounds like an old car to me, but then I play the piano so what do I know?
- Showstopper: The 1959 Gibson Les Paul "Black Beauty (above), available for a mere $110,000
Nice work, Bloggers. And for those about to rock, we salute you.
P.S. (Would you like to contribute a guest blog re: a cool shopping experience or style tip? Email me).
Posted by Christopher Wynn at 6:59 AM (E-mail this entry)
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April 22, 2007
Pay your respects to Mother Nature this Earth Day by actually getting outside. Smink Modern Living helps you get at least as far as your back patio with 20% off all Kettal (“keh-TALL”) outdoor furniture.
You’ll find a few pieces in the showroom, but expect to special order most items for delivery. Our fave? The low-slung Kettal Maia deckchair in screamin’ orange mesh (above). The sleek frame is durable aluminum with a stretchy hand-woven mesh support, and the cushion is crafted from something called “3D thermo melted textile”. To quote Jessica Simpson: “I totally don’t know what that means, but I want it.”
Kettal outdoor furniture sale, Smink Modern Living, Inwood Shopping Village, 214-350-0542, www.sminkinc.com
Photo: Kattal Maia Deckchair in orange mesh, $2,359, on sale for 20% off
Posted by Christopher Wynn at 12:01 AM (E-mail this entry)
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