Save the Date: Trend Next on November 23, 2013

Trend Next is holding their second annual fashion show on November 23rd and promises a showcase of eclectic fashions and interior design revealed. The Trend Next event will showcase looks from emerging designers such as Lucy Dang, Jesse Thaxton, Binzario Couture, Shavonne Dorsey, TaTa Jolie and Andre Terry styled by celebrity fashionistas, introduce HGTV designer Hilari Younger's new home interiors line, and feature the culinary talents of top local chefs. 

Cason at Trend Next 2012
photo: C. Rene Designs & Photography

I hope you'll join me as I host this fun and fashionable night in the heart of downtown at the ultra-posh and sleek art gallery Life In Deep Ellum. Joining me will be celebrity guest, HGTV Design Star Hilari Younger who will reveal her new home interiors line.  Although fashion is the main attraction, the purpose of this event has a much deeper significance.

The aim of the event is to create visibility and financial support for the Baylor Health Care System Foundation, while keeping organ donation a relevant conversation. The event, benefiting Baylor Health Care System Foundation is the brainchild of Dallas based fashion entrepreneur and transplant survivor, Shamequia Cason.

"Trend Next features the hottest fashions and interiors born in Dallas and this year, I am looking to expose how the event is shifting into a community recognized organization in support of charity,” said Cason. A recipient of a kidney transplant, Cason suffered from kidney disease for 9 years - 5 of those years was as a dialysis patient - and was featured in Baylor Hospital’s promotional campaigns.

The Elisa Project Dished Out a Healthy Dose of ESTEEM

2013 Runway Participants for ESTEEM

For the second year in a row, I was fortunate enough to participate in ESTEEM.  This event was created as an awareness event to bring light to the cause of disordered eating. The show is formatted around celebrity and volunteer models who volunteer their time to help with the event. This year it was held at TOOTSIES and leading this year’s efforts were co-chairmen Pam Skaggs Frank and Bridget Frank. Dr. Stephanie Setliff gave an agency overview explaining that eating disorders is not selective in its victims. It is a disease that effects many and can strike at any time. Debbie Denmon served as celebrity hostess again this year and TOOTSIES store manager Nerissa von Helpenstill led the audience through the fall trends as the models showed off a variety of fashions. Among those stomping the runway for this year's event were Brian Cuban, Yvonne Crum, Holly Pellham Davis, Ayo Fashola, Pam & Bridget Frank, Nancy Gopez, Jackson, Courtney Kerr, LeeAnne Locken, Elise McVeigh, Scott Murray, Lisa Petty, Cynthia Smoot, Hamilton A. Sneed and Hilari Younger.  The event was produced by Rhonda Sargent Chambers with RSC Show Productions.

For more information about the Elisa Project and their work to prevent treating disorders and promote a healthy body image, visit http://www.theelisaproject.org/ 

Here's a photo flashback of what you missed:

The Elisa Project gets a heaping dose of ESTEEM

Rudy Gatlin worked the crowd, while Miss Texas USA Ali Nugent was the epitome of style and grace
Photos courtesy of Joseph Brewster Photography and Design

The 3d annual ESTEEM Fashion Show held at at Saks Fifth Avenue this past Saturday was a celebration of positive body image and self-esteem. Local Dallas celebrities joined girls and women, boys and men, of all ages and sizes, to embrace healthy, balanced lifestyles and self-acceptance to raise funds for The Elisa Project. By helping to increase awareness about eating disorders and the importance of positive body image, ESTEEM encourages people to love themselves while striving to be healthy.

Highlights from Fashion's Night Out 2012

We came, we saw, we shopped! Last night was the 4th annual Fashion's Night Out event and shops all across the Dallas-area (and around the world) held runway shows, had designer and celebrity appearances, special gifts-with-purchase, parties and more to celebrate the Fall shopping season. I was partnered with NorthPark Center and they pulled out ALL the stops producing three amazing runway shows showcasing stunning fashions for Fall.

I caught up with Pat Smith at Gregory's, sipped champagne with Heidi Dillon in The Fashionista's lounge, ooh'd and ahh'd over outifts with CBS reporter Teresa Frosini, socialites Carmaleta Whiteley, Doris Jacobs and Barbara Daske and journalist Jane McGarry.  I wrapped up my night at Highland Park Village noshing on sushi with celebrity chef Tre Wilcox, Bravo TV's Courtney Kerr and HGTV's Hilari Younger and Mikal Welch.  FNO 2012 did not disappoint!

Click here to see MANY more photos from the evening. 

Runway at NorthPark Center

D Magazine's Raya Ramsey and Oh So Cynthia's Cynthia Smoot

Performer from Cirque Du Soliel's Kooza

Pat Smith and Cynthia Smoot at Gregory's

Photographer Bob Manzano

Teresa Frosini from CBS/Ch. 11 captures the fashion frenzy for the 10 o'clock news

Jewelry designer, Shona Gilbert, shaking her money maker for the ladies of Simply Summer Fashionably Fall.

Shona Gilbert, Bravo TV's Courtney Kerr, Scot & Kristi Redman and Bri Crum at Highland Park Village

HGTV's Hilari Younger and Mikal Welsh at Marque Grill

My dress and earrings:  Lela Rose, Highland Park Village
photos: Peter Wynne/Plano Pete

Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Counts Down with Cocktails and Fashions at Tootsies

Courtney Kerr, Steve Kemble and Rhonda Sargent Chambers

Shona Gilbert, LeeAnne Locken, Ashley Burghardt and FOX 4's Fiona Gorostiza
strut their stuff in the fashion presentation

Hamilton Sneed, LeeAnne Locken, Parris Rigby, HGTV's Hilary Younger and CW33's Danielle Vollmar

Tootsies was the site of the Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Countdown Cocktail Party held on Wednesday, August 22nd. This fun event offered guests a fashion presentation featuring Dallas celebrities and media personalities who will appearing as Celebrity Waiters, as well as complimentary cocktails and appetizers.

Maggie Kipp and Shay Geyer are co-chairing this year's Celebrity Waiter Luncheon benefiting Family Gateway. Not only is this event the most fun you will ever have at a charity event, they raised over $100,000 at last year's event and plan to double that goal this year.  If you want a seat to the best luncheon in town, you'd better act quick. I am being told that there are only about 4 tables left. Click here for more information or to purchase a table or individual tickets.


photos: James Edward Photography