Designer Dish
Runway to Reality: Bravo for Galindo, Taquitos for Fashion Houston & a littleSeverance play
Ro Tamez and Cesar Galindo will be contestants on the Bravo reality series, "TheFashion Show," premiering Nov. 9.Photo by Michelle Watson/LastNightPics.com
Backstage, Ceron puts finishing touches on a model's hairstyle.Photo by Michelle Watson/LastNightPics.com
A team of makeup artists surround a model before a show.Photo by Michelle Watson/LastNightPics.com
Cesar Galindo and Gwen Stefani in New York last month.
Galindo designed these looks for Stefani's L.A.M.B. show that closedMercedes-Benz Fashion Week last month.Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
As expected, the inaugural night of Audi Fashion Houston was uniquely, well Houston. There were audible gasps at gorgeous gowns and yes, some whooping as well. Night No. 2 is highly anticipated with shows by David Peck and Elaine Turner, Lauren Bush, Lela Rose and Net-A-Porter and event organizers are expecting a big crowd. I just hope no one decides to start the Wave.
Runway to Reality, Bravo Style
With an impish sense of humor and major design skills, it's no surprise that Cesar Galindo has made the jump from New York-based designer to reality show competitor. After presenting his spring 2011 collection, Galindo told the audience that he is one of 12 designers competing on the Bravo reality series, The Fashion Show, which debuts Nov. 9.
Galindo also introduced fellow competitor, Houstonian Rolando “Ro” Tamez, whom Galindo called “an amazing designer.” The two were roommates on the show.
"We were like in a reality prison," Galindo said, with a laugh, about their time on the show. "They took away our money, our cell phones, even our IDs."
"And we were in New York," Tamez mock-lamented.
Tamez wouldn't reveal the outcome, but said he learned so much from Galindo during the run of the show.
Galindo Takes New York & Mexico, Too
When the runway cleared, several designers headed for the Green Room where Galindo was surrounded by members of the Mexican media, who couldn’t get enough. Quien?, Reforma and Epous publications clamored for Galindo, who is fashion rock star in Mexico and throughout Latin America.
“These women are such global travelers. They have homes in France and Spain and they love color. That’s fun for a designer to get to work with instead of neutrals,” Galindo said.
He took that same fervor and applied it to his costume design work for Houston Grand Opera’s Mariachi Opera to Cross the Face of the Moon, which debuts Nov. 13 at the Wortham Center.
You would think Galindo has world domination on his to-do list. He created eight looks for Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. spring 2011 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week last month, including the African tribal prints that opened and closed the show.
He made the connection with Stefani through her stylist, Paula Bradley, and the design duo hit it off immediately.
"She's really cool," Galindo said. "I like working with her."
Wonder Twins Activate
When Elaine Turner takes her end-of-show turn on the runway Tuesday, she will be wearing a short, one-shoulder dress in a blue abstract print, designed by David Peck. The duo collaborated on custom heels for Peck’s show (you can get a close-up Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at Turner’s boutique) and Turner confessed they were holding their breath.
“As with custom work we were on a tight schedule and with a few production problems, we thought we might not get the custom shoes in time. We ended up getting the shoes the day before the fittings,” Turner said. “That’s how the fashion industry works. Needless to say, something exciting is always going on.”
Cocktails and Taquitos
So where do fashion show producers go after a long day and three shows? Well, in the case of the Fashion Houston team, it was Hearsay for cocktails and then Whataburger, the ultimate post-cocktail/exhausting day nosh spot. Plus, there’s some kind of amazing irony about eating onion rings at 2 a.m. after being around models all day.
Severance Play
Model Joan Severance, who at 51 still looks hot in a tight-fitting burgundy dress and knee-high boots, came in for Monday night's shows to support her good friend, Fashion Houston organizer Nancy Golden. Severance, who was born in Houston and attended Westbury High School before embarking on a successful modeling and film career, was impressed with the runway looks.
"I like the fact that shape is coming back into fashion," she said. "The styles are fit and cut well. It's real fashion and I love it."
Hot Sleeper Accessory
Secret Service style earpieces may turn out to be the must-have accessory of Tuesday’s show. Lauren Bush will be showing her collection and rumor has it that she may be getting support from her presidential family.
