Gregg Asher is working hard to bring reality TV back to Dallas

Dallas has been in a reality TV slump lately. Two years ago, you couldn't round a corner without bumping into a film crew. But now... Big Rich Texas? Their network got sold and it died a sudden death. A-List Dallas on Logo? Not renewed. Courtney Loves Dallas. Fans didn't love it enough to bring her back. Texas Multi Mamas? Apparently motherhood isn't exciting enough for reality TV, even when you are parenting multiples. We can lay claim to the hot 'n hunky Richard Rawlins of Discovery's Fast 'N Loud and a few chefs who are still spotting the culinary competition shows... but I miss the days of the bawdy drama that these cat fights brought to my pages.

Enter Gregg Asher, who is making a valiant attempt to save the day. The fashionable set is all to familiar with Asher who is known about town for dressing in couture women's wear and 6" stilettos. The rest of the world met him in last year's Million Dollar Shoppers on Lifetime where he appeared as part of an ensemble cast about the world of luxury personal shoppers. Alas, the concept was not renewed after its inaugural season, but Asher appears to be hard at work to lay claim to a new series.  Once you've been in the red hot glare of the spotlight, it is mighty hard to let it go... According to his Instagram feed, he's currently in New York in "serious talks about my new project with Weinstein Company and Lifetime TV."  Let's wish him luck.

Photo: courtesy photo from Lifetime's Million Dollar Shoppers. Pictured Tayler Carson Sandvick and Gregg Asher

Big D Spooktacular: Halloween 2013

You know what they say. "Everything's bigger in Texas!" From our big hair to our big cars to our big personalities, Dallasites love to go all out when it comes to living life. Halloween is no exception, which is why it's my favorite holiday of the year! (Plus it's a free ride to eat boatloads of candy). Here are some of my favorite looks from this year's Halloween festivities:

J-Si Chavez, Jenna Owensand Kellie Rasberry act out The Shining

photo: @KellieRasberry on Twitter

Dallas stylists to star in Million Dollar Shoppers on Lifetime

Sandvick and Asher at the opening of LUBLU
photo: Jason Acton, August 2013

Project Runway producer The Weinstein Co. has teamed with Lifetime for another fashion-themed reality series. Lifetime has greenlighted Million Dollar Shoppers, a six-episode hourlong series set in the exclusive world of personal shopping.

Natch, Dallas plays a part with our own Gregg Asher & Tayler Carson Sandvick! According to the press release, the pair met at the Christian Dior grand opening party and instantly clicked. Together, they use their fierce fashion sense and outgoing personalities to take the fashion scene by storm for clients who live in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. People often think they are siblings because they fight like brother and sister, but with Sandvick’s couture background and Asher’s crazy eccentric style, the two complement each other perfectly.

Each episode of Million Dollar Shoppers will feature three personal shoppers as they try to meet the fashion needs of their rich, famous, powerful and often high-maintenance clients. With their pride, reputation and, ultimately, final commission on the line, the shoppers take close inventory of their clients’ closets and homes before consulting with them about the task, ranging from finding an outfit for a specific event, packing for an upcoming vacation or an entire wardrobe makeover.

With the customers’ credit cards in hand, the shoppers use their retail sense and fashion connections to purchase what they believe fulfills their clients’ vision until the clients meticulously review all purchases before approving each and every expense. Each week, viewers will follow the driven shoppers to see who rakes in the most commission and the ultimate bragging rights.

Million Dollar Shoppers will premiere on October 10, at 10:30 PM, immediately following Project Runway, before moving to its regular time slot at 10 PM on October 24.

Cattle Baron's 2012: The Good, the Bad and the Muddy

Can you believe that until Saturday night, I had never been to Cattle Baron's Ball. Although this is a legendary event around these parts, I have just never had a burning desire to dress up in western wear and drive out to Parker, Texas for some boot scootin'.

This year, I felt like it was something I needed to man up and do, just to cross off the list - when I received an invite to sit at the table of Pucci Lisenbee (I swear to God, that's his real name) and be a guest of Burberry.  Coincidentally, I had just aquired a smokin' hot pair of Bonafide Boots. I took it as a sign that I was meant to go. This was the year.

As you all know, the flood gates opened up and it poured rain all day and into Saturday night. The best thing I can say about this year's Cattle Baron's Ball was that the poor event Chairs, Skye Brewer and Kristen Johnston, did the best they could under the circumstances.

Christian Siriano brings Fierceness to Fresh Faces of Fashion

Five minutes into last night's Fresh Faces of Fashion event, I was quite sure of two things:

1. I was just certain that my $100 investment in a raffle ticket was going to pay off and I would win the grand prize for the evening - a new Mercedes from Park Place Motorcars.
2. Project Runway alumni, Christian Siriano was previewing his Fall 2011 Collection and I was one of only two journalists (I use that term ever so loosely) that was going to have a private interview with him. 

The night was off to a great start...

Fresh Faces of Fashion for 2011: Teffy Jacobs, Lisa Petty and Piper Young

The evening started off like many others. I arrived at Park Place Mercedes and air-kissed and chatted  with many of Dallas' A-List fashionistas like Gregg Asher, Piper Young, stylist Jim Duran, Amanda Sterett and LeeAnne Locken.

click here view a gallery of photos from this event

 (top left) Juan Lerma and Christian Siriano (top right) Grant and Moanna Mower

(bottom) Gregg Asher, Nini Nguyen, Khanh Nguyen, LeeAnne locken, Tara Harper and Pamela Chao

Tara Harper was so relieved that filming for her upcoming Bravo show Most Eligible: Dallas had wrapped filming on Monday.  When I asked her how she felt about what was in the can, she threw her hands up to the heavens and said, "It's all in the hands of editing now! I hope for the best."  Me too, Tara. Me too! Juan Lerma and partner Eric Oliver, Jr. were very excited to tell me about an upcoming show they are working on for Scion. Yes, that Scion - the car company.  This event will be a designer showcase featuring undiscovered designers. Save the date: June 22 at Scion of Lewsiville. It will be worth the drive... I promise!

Let me just brag for a moment, and tell you that I was one of only two people allowed to interview Christian Siriano. Oh, I already said that? Well, I'm sayin' it again!  The only downside was that I was not alerted to this opportunity in advance.  I walked into the event and was immediately informed, "Okay, you are first in line to interview Christian." Um, excuse me? I was totally not prepared.

                                                                                         Photo Credit: Sylvia Elzafon for The Feast

I was prepared to do my usual thing, which is to walk backstage and act like I'm supposed to be there, take some photos, ask inappropriate questions and then leave.  Thank goodness, I saw Lisa Petty who quickly gave me some suggested questions to ask.  And let me borrow her amazing photographer, Sylvia Elzafon, so I could get the photo above!

Yvonne Crum

All of them you hear in my video interview with Siriano above.  Except she told me to ask about "what was coming up next" and I forgot to ask that one. Dang it. I totally buckled under pressure.

I was thrilled to run into Grant and Moanna Mower (pictured above). If you recall, I introduced you to Grant a few weeks ago and told you about this beguiling 12 year-old fashion designer. He had met Siriano years ago... when he was 9! Grant had already been backstage and chatted it up with Siriano, who remembered him (because how could you forget such cuteness!)

Sadly, I did not win the raffle and drive home in a new Mercedes. That honor went to Lisa Muder Stapp.  But, my money did go to help raise funds for the beneficiary of the evening, which was the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. 

Yvonne Crum had to choke back tears as she announced that in the five years since this event had been created, Fresh Faces of Fashion has earned over $1 million dollars for this cause.

It was a spectacular evening. My favorite kind of night, full of fashion, frivolity and fun - all for a cause. It's what Dallas does best!

Nha Khanh roars back to the 20s for their Fall 2011 Collection

The inspiration for the Fall 2011 Collection from Nha Khanh was the style of  legendary vaudeville performer Josephine Baker. In her heydey during the 1920s and 30s, Baker was known for her bold and exotic stage costumes.  She favored feathers and shocked the world when she once appeared in a "skirt" made of 16 bananas.  The Hall of State provided a jaw-dropping Art Deco background to this amazing presentation.

 Matthew Gilley and Alison Volk of Tootsie's with Cynthia Smoot. 

I have dubbed them Dallas' version of Rachel Zoe and Brad Goreski.

Elaine Agather, Ana Pettus, Toni Duclottni and Cathy Vieth were among the fashionistas all dressed to impress last Thursday for the presentation of the Fall 2011 Collection from Nha Khanh.  But it wasn't just the ladies that turned it out! Jim Duran rocked it wearing a gold lame jacket, Dan Pritchett looked dapper in a bespoke suite with a bright purple tie but, of course, no one could out-shine Gregg Asher who took the best of both of these looks and killed it in purple satin harem pants with a gold jacket. You go, Gregg!

Left: Gregg Asher and David Martin

Top Right: Holly Pellham Davis and Jamie O'Banion

Bottom Right: Abby Gregory and Kevin Fougerousse

Cindy Rachofsky (honorary chair along with her husband, Howard), introduced the show and encouraged everyone to purchase, as proceeds from the evening benefitted Two x Two for AIDS and Art. Co-chairs Sue Gragg and Brian Bolke were also on hand to watch the Jan Strimple-helmed runway show.

I'll leave the technical reviews to others who are more qualified to speak on the fashions.  But as a lover of fashion and beauty, I give this collection high marks for being elegant but edgy.  The peek-a-boo lace and low-cut backs leave you covered but are still incredibly sexy.  Nha Khahn did an amazing job of taking the romance of the 1920's and bringing it into 2011 for today's woman.

 Nini Nguyen + Khanh Nguyen = Nha Khanh

You can meet the dynamic duo behind Nha Khanh (pictured above) and see these marvelous designs up-close on April 7-8 at a Trunk Show held at Forty Five Ten.