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News Feed for Clifford Pugh - CultureMap http://houston.culturemap.com/feeds/author/Clifford_Pugh/ 2014-11-25T11:15:07-06:00 Frequent online shopper puts together glam look — all from the web — for closet cocktail party 2014-11-25T11:15:07-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-25-14-frequent-online-shopper-puts-together-glam-look-all-from-the-web-for-closet-cocktail-party/
 Theresa Roemer's first charity event in her closet since it was burglarized a few months ago called for cocktail chic, so Dominique Collins put together a glittery ensemble that matched the occasion.

 Collins paired an ASOS black sequined dress with a white sleeveless jacket with black satin lapels from Nasty Gal. Black leggings from H&M, booties from Zara, a Tory Burch clutch and a BCBG cap complete the ensemble.

 "Since the temperature dropped, I wanted to wear a black outfit with texture," she explained. "During the fall/winter seasons, I love to layer pieces. I added a cape blazer in white as a crisp contrast. The hat is a playful nod to the children's charity event."

 The 29-year old University of Houston student purchased all of the items online from various designer sites. "I'm a habitual online shopper," she confessed.

 Collins describes her look as "street style" with an international flair. "My travels to Europe made my style unconfined and expressive," she said.

 Check out CultureMap's Style File to see to see what some of Houston's most stylish women and men are wearing.
 Stylish muses rock the Fashion Houston catwalk in one-of-a-kind creations at Little Black Dress Designer runway show 2014-11-23T12:00:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-23-14-stylish-muses-rock-the-fashion-houston-catwalk-in-one-of-a-kind-creations-at-little-black-dress-designer-runway-show/
 One of the highlights of Fashion Houston took place when some of the city's most stylish women rocked the catwalk at the Little Black Dress Designer runway show.
 High drama, glamorous gowns and sexy models send Fashion Houston off in style 2014-11-22T15:55:05-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-22-14-high-drama-glamorous-gowns-and-sexy-models-send-fashion-houston-off-in-style/
 When David Peck showed at Fashion Houston for the first time four years ago, the fledging designer could barely scrape together 20 looks for the runway at the Wortham Center.

 This time he was the star.

 Peck was given the prime final slot on the closing night of the fashion extravaganza Friday and he delivered with a fast-paced show that combined dozens of practical looks with moments of high drama.

 But he wasn't the only designer to offer a twist on traditional fashion.

 The last night included a Lebanese designer who specializes in flashy evening wear for women and men, a Russian designer who is a favorite of Lorde and Laverne Cox, a laidback designer who offers the coolest menswear I've seen in a long time, and a young Houston designer who may emulate Peck's success five years from now.

 Rami Salamoun: From Lebanon with love

 Salamoun got the final night of FH off to a glam start with a parade of evening gowns that blended illusion tulle and strategic beading to cover key body parts. I'm guessing there must not be a sequin or beaded crystal left in Beirut, where the designer is based, because each gown — and many of the menswear jackets — were covered in gems that sparked in the runway light.

 I 'm guessing there must not be a sequin or beaded crystal left in Beirut.

 While some of the looks seemed more suited to beauty pageants, Las Vegas shows or the 1980s camp classic TV series, Dynasty, many styles had the crowd awestruck. Ericka Bagwell and Ursaline Hamilton, on the front row, seemed particularly taken with a body-hugging purple beaded gown with squiggly waves that showed just the right amount of skin.

 To close the show, Salamoun sent out a man in a gigantic sequined cape that represented the flag of Lebanon. Despite all of the strife in the Middle East, Beirut remains a center of glamour and nightlife fun. Cheers to the designer for continuing the tradition.

 Fabrice Tardieu: Laid back luxury

 Backstage before his runway show, Tardieu gave his male models some runway advice. "I want all the ladies screaming their lungs out," the charismatic designer said.

 The models, indeed, seemed to have a sexy good time on the catwalk, displaying Tardieu's collection of luxurious urban street wear, ranging from woven loafers and zippered high tops to light cotton blazers with leather shorts, leather sweatpants and jackets in quilted fabrics.

 "I want all the ladies screaming their lungs out," the charismatic designer said.

 "I decided to do a little more about what my personal style is about," said Tardieu. "It's a laid back luxury. Everything is inspired from a jogging suit. It usually comes with a drawstring. There is no lapel on the jacket, so it makes it a little more easy to wear."

 "When you see that today in the fashion world that Kayne West, who is a hip hop person, is doing clothes for Louis Vuitton, you understand what fashion is about. It's become something very different," he said. "Leather has become the new silk. The sneaker has replaced the boot. Everything's more laid back now."

 While developing his new collection, Tardieu also works as creative director of Boggose, a line he developed with his brother, which doesn't leave him much free time. But he doesn't mind the double duty.

 "When you work in fashion you always find time to do what you love." he said.

 Amir Taghi: Two shows in one

 Though only a high school senior, this is the second appearance at Fashion Houston for Taghi, who was showcased as an emerging designer last year and and who recently unveiled his collection at New York fashion week.

 Even at his young age, Taghi recognizes that fashion is a business, so he featured fall looks that can be purchased now, along with his spring 2015 collection, which can be pre-ordered. His aesthetic features unadorned styles with clean lines, so that many can be worn now or still look classic five years from now.

  "If you don't have knowledge, you can't really get anywhere," Taghi said.

  "I'm doing two shows in one," he said backstage before his show.

 For fall, Taghi mixes shades of red in skirts, blouses and an eye-catching strapless gown. For spring, he features high-waisted pants, crop tops and short shorts in pastel shades, and a black racer back dress that flares at the hem, offering just the right amount of sexiness and modesty.

 Taghi plans to show in New York in February, but then hopes to hone his craft at the prestigious Parson's School of Design in New York or Central St. Martin's in London after graduating from Episcopal High School next spring.

 "I'm going to stop for a couple of years because I really want to go and study and learn more," he said. "If you don't have knowledge, you can't really get anywhere."

 Valentino Kova: First runway show

 In her first full-scale runway show, Kova mixed primary colors with clean shapes for a fresh take on fashion for her hip customer. Included in the mix were languid robes, high-style military coats, bright orange or green gowns, tempered with pastel motorcycle jackets and a black evening gown with lace sleeves, emphasizing Kova's sweet and tough look.

 David Peck: Several surprises

 Having just shown his collection in a big show at the new JW Marriott Downtown Houston a couple of months ago, Peck added several surprises to close out Fashion Houston's fifth year with a flourish.

 At one point, he sent out a bevy of models in snow leopard faux fur vests that are the hallmark of his fall collection. Then he featured his made-to-measure evening gowns interspersed with a performance by Houston Ballet dancers Jessica Collado, Melody Mennite, Deanna Pearson and Linnar Looris.

  Peck also revealed some thrilling news: He will soon become a father.

  For the grand finale, models came out wearing gowns with beaded masks as a salute to the Houston Ballet Masked Ball next February. (Proceeds from the masks, which Peck designed and are available at his boutique, will go to the Houston Ballet.) Among the stunners for evening were a draped plum velvet V-neck gown and a gray trumpet skirt and printed longsleeve blouse.

 Peck's bread and butter remain his day dresses and the collection features a variety of styles from those in color block patterns and patchwork sheaths to his take on the wrap dress, which he calls the "faux wrap dress," in two-tone patterns. Most are under $300 and everything on the runway is available at his boutique.

 Peck was excited about how his collection — and Houston's fashion week — has grown.

 "I feel like everything has gotten bigger and better and a little bit more grand. The fashion actually made here in Houston has more of representation than it ever has before, which is really exciting to see that we're not just importing it, we're exporting it, too," he said.

 He also revealed some thrilling news: He will soon become a father. His wife, Michelle, is pregnant with a son, who is due in April.

 "Who knows? I may create a boy's line," Peck said with a laugh.
 Catwalk mania! Exclusive video view of Fashion Houston offers fresh look at runway action 2014-11-20T12:45:45-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-20-14-catwalk-mania-exclusive-video-view-of-fashion-houston-offers-fresh-look-at-runway-action/
 Now I know why young models look a little nervous at a big runway show. As the co-emcee of <a href="http://Naeem Khan always loves to come to Houston. "QUOTE" Khan's fans were rewarded with a stylish show on the second night of Fashion Houston that combined his intricate evening gowns with glamorous sportswear. He was joined by designers Rubin Singer, who debuted his pre-fall 2015 collection, and Rene Ruiz, another favorite for his figure-hugging gowns. Perhaps the most excited designers in attendance were four students from the Art Institute of Houston, who showed on the Fashion Week runway for the first time. Even after the evening ended and the">Fashion Houston Wednesday night, I was quaking in my John Lobb's as I helped FH CEO Jared Lang introduced a stellar lineup of designers who specialize in glamour on the second night of the city's big fashion extravaganza.

 Seeing style trendsetters like Diane Lokey Farb as well as excited friends of Art Institute of Houston students, I realized everyone was there because they love fashion.

 But looking out at the eclectic crowd calmed my jangled nerves. Seeing style trendsetters Diane Lokey Farb, Beth Muecke and Becca Cason Thrash as well as excited friends of Art Institute of Houston students who were showcasing their designs for the first time on the 80-foot-long fashion Houston runway, I realized everyone was there because they love fashion.

 The highlight of the evening was Naeem Khan's sparkling spring collection. Khan's many Houston fans in the audience were rewarded with a stylish show that combined his intricate evening gowns with glamorous sportswear.

 But there were plenty of other beautiful styles to see, including those from Rubin Singer, who debuted his pre-fall 2015 collection, Rene Ruiz, another Houston favorite for his figure-hugging gowns, and jewelry designer Matthew Campbell Laurenza who displayed his collection in a unique runway show.

 Perhaps the most excited designers in attendance were the four students from the Art Institute of Houston. Even after the evening ended, Breccia Demartini, Paola Contreras, Clarence T Lee and Lee O Yates were milling around with big smiles after each having their big moment. Good for them. Who knows, one day, one of them may be a fashion star?

 In the video above, Khan, Singer and Ruiz talk about their designs, with some wonderful runway shots from ace CultureMap videographer Joel Luks. Look for a full review of the evening's activities later today from CultureMap contributor Heather Staible.
 Inside Fashion Houston: Exclusive video of backstage antics and runway dreams come true 2014-11-19T15:59:22-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-19-14-inside-fashion-houston-exclusive-video-of-backstage-antics-and-runway-dreams-come-true/
 No, that wasn't Rihanna at Fashion Houston Tuesday night, although several starstruck fans were convinced that CultureMap contributor Nicole Hickl, the on-air personality for our "Up To Speed" special series, is a dead ringer for the pop superstar.

 But if the singer/style icon had been at the Wortham Theater Center, there was plenty on the 80-foot-long runway to entice her.

 That wasn't Rihanna at Fashion Houston but if the singer/style icon had been at the Wortham Center, there was plenty on the runway to entice her.

 Fourteen eclectic designers showed their collection on the opening night of the Houston fashion extravaganza, ranging from the relaxed looks of Tibi designer Amy Smilovic, whose new creation for spring is the "scant" (a culotte-like piece that is a combination between a skirt and pant), to the over-the-top creations of Alexis Monsanto, who closed his show with a Game of Thrones groom in chain metal armour and bride in a see-through column gown.

 (Nine of the designers are students participating in the Little Black Dress Designer project, taking inspiration from nine of Houston's most stylish women to create a unique take on the iconic LBD. The muses each walked the runway, too.)

 In this exclusive "Up To Speed" video, Nicole and I slipped in backstage to see the frenzied preparations for the relatively short runway shows, talked with Monsanto and Houston designer Sameera Faridi, the first designer of South Asian descent to show at Fashion Houston, who is making a name for herself with beautiful, intricately beaded gowns.

 "I started working on this collection since July," she says. "I just wanted everyone in the audience to relate to it."

 And then we discuss our favorite looks of the evening. Let us know if you agree in the comments section below.
 Magic moments at Fashion Houston: Opening night brings exotic styles and surprises 2014-11-19T06:00:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-19-14-magic-moments-at-fashion-houston-opening-night-brings-exotic-styles-and-surprises/
 The beauty of fashion is that, when done well, it can transport you to another place and time. That's what happened during the opening night of Fashion Houston Tuesday at the Wortham Center where a host of eclectic designers carried the stylish audience into a world of magical fantasy.

 Los Angeles-based designer Alexis Monsanto got the evening off to a mesmerizing start with a wildly staged runway show that evoked the Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Among the eye-catching looks were colorful gowns with billowy trains, often accessorized with sparkly skullcaps or headdresses, jackets and leggings lined in metal chain detail, feathery skirts and pleated dresses in harlequin patterns. One gown even had 3-dimensional gargoyles at the waist.

  "I'm a dreamer and a visionary. There's always has to be a bit of drama to it," Monsanto said.

 His showstoppers included a bit of theater as a model dressed in a stark black gown with silver fasteners weaved among a group of men swathed in see-through hooded capes and tight trunks. And the finale, in which a princess in a blush column gown adored with feathers was carried on a palette by four shirtless men, whose already sculpted torsos had been airbrushed for more definition, to meet her king, who was covered in a chain-metal robe.

 "I try to deliver entertainment and fashion as well," Monsanto said backstage after the show. "I'm a dreamer and a visionary. There's always has to be a bit of drama to it. But I design a collection that sells. I like balance. You take off the styling, it's all wearable pieces."

 Later in the evening, Houston designer Sameera Faridi evoked a similar spirit of mystery and fun with a stunning collection that combined her two cultures, American and South Asian. Faridi, a native of Pakistan who emigrated to the United States when she was 18, features sari-like tunics with elaborate beading over modern skinny pants and elaborate evening wear that sparkled in the runway lights.

 Afterwards, Faridi said one heavily beaded red gown took three months to complete. But every piece has a ethereal, almost royal quality.

 "It needs to depict royalty and royalty doesn't run, it glides," she said.

 Having worked as a designer for a decade, Faridi appears to be coming into her own with her signature style. She also presents a roadmap of how Houston might become more of a fashion center by offering designs that can't easily be found anywhere else.

 Little Black Dress Supermodels: Work it girls

 For sheer enjoyment, nothing beat the participants in Little Black Dress Designer runway show. Earlier this year. Neal Hamil Agency director Jeff Shell paired fashion design students with some of Houston's leading women who served as their muses. The results were displayed on the Fashion Houston catwalk as each muse appeared in a black dress created by the designer, preceded by a model in an LBD based on the designer's inspiration from the muse.

 The dresses were first rate, but it was more fun to see real-life models Yasmine Haddad, Ursaline Hamilton, Lucinda Loya, Beth Muecke, Judy Nyquist, Theresa Roemer, Roseann Rogers, Jessica Rossman, Holly Waltrip and Donae Chramosta work the runway with the confidence of a pack of Victoria's Secret supermodels.

 A Grungy good time

 Though the evening ran long by the time the Grungy Gentleman collection hit the runway as the last show of the night, the depleted crowd was roused by rapper Jadakiss, who preformed live on stage as male models in hip styles took to the catwalk while designer Jace Lipstein, in a checked coat and baseball cap, peeked observed intently from just behind the stage opening.

 GG features too-cool styles — I lusted over the slacks gathered at the ankles like sweatpants, a navy business coat with a hoodie, quilted sweats and a gray wool jacket with pockets ont eh shoulders and couldn't wait to check out the GG website. Among the models, former Dynamo player Mike Chabala stood out in a wine colored quilted sweatpants and coat.

 Casual splendor

 Amid the flashier shows, Tibi designer Amy Smilovic's stylish casual collection offered plenty of easy-to-wear styles in a subdued color palate that her twenty-and-thirtysomething fans crave, while hometown favorite Jonathan Blake, whose designs are made in Houston, featured a collection peppered with green digital prints, soft leather jackets trimmed in croc or python, shiny blue party dresses and slinky evening gowns.

 Blake looked like he could barely keep his eyes open, but there was a reason: He had just arrived from Bora Bora only a few hours earlier." I'm really tired, but I had a lot of fun and it was great to do this," he said.

 A Big Surprise

 Before the parade of fashion began, the night opened with a surprise as Fashion Houston CEO Jared Lang, who co-hosted the evening with KHOU Morning News anchor Lily Jang, who looked stunning in a lavender embroidered gown by Faridi, announced that the stylish Vivian Wise had joined Fashion Houston as president.

 "I thought I was just going out for a hamburger at lunch with (Jared) and by the end of lunch I was a business partner. Did not see that coming," Wise said. "We have a lot great things tonight and for the rest of the week and I hope you keep coming back. And next year, oh boy, buckle up."
 Fashion Houston Preview: Style extravaganza promises combo of Project Runway and Victoria's Secret 2014-11-17T18:03:12-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-17-14-fashion-houston-preview-style-extravaganza-promises-combo-of-iproject-runwayi-and-victorias-secret-1/
 Fashion Houston is growing up and coming home.

 The style extravaganza, which kicks off four nights of activities Tuesday at the Wortham Theater Center, is celebrating its fifth birthday with some big changes. As usual, a number of top designers will show their collections directly from the New York runways, with trunk shows afterward at leading Houston stores and boutiques.

  Organizers are touting the lineup as "some from around the world, some from around the corner."

 Among the noted designers who I saw in New York in September are Naeem Khan, a favorite of Houston socialites, who has added glamorous sportswear — think glittery track pants and sequined tops — to his spring 2015 collection, along with his staple of gorgeous evening gowns, and Bibhu Mohapatra, who will show a sophisticated collection based on the travels of glamorous shipping heiress Nancy Cunard.

 Sprinkled in will be hip runway looks from new and interesting labels like Grungy Gentleman — creative director Jace Lipstein is featuring live music from a big-name rapper during the show, along with flashy looks from Lebanese designer Rami Salamoun and a glam evening collection from Alexis Monsanto.

 But this go-around, there's much more of local presence, with more than a dozen Houston-based designers showing on the runway, several for the first time. They include Sameera Faridi, who excels at creating South Asian attire, Jonathan Blake, who is carving out a clientele among Houston socialites, Art Institute of Houston designers Breccia Demartini, Paola Contreras, Clarence T Lee and Lee O Yates, and a host of local designers who are taking part in the Little Black Dress Designer project created by Neal Hamil Agency director Jeff Shell.

 They will join well-known Houston designers Chloe Dao and David Peck, along with up-and-comers Amir Taghi and Jio'zei Reyes, both of whom showed at Fashion Houston last year.

 Organizers are touting the lineup as "some from around the world, some from around the corner."

 "We've brought in designers from Lebanon, the Philippines, Russia, Haiti and Latin America," said Fashion Houston founder and CEO Jared Lang. "Houston is such a melting pot as the Energy Capital of the World that it only makes sense that we're diverse."

 Streamlined and tightened up

 The Fashion Houston program has been tightened up and streamlined this year, Lang said, with entertainment replacing intermissions where the audience sat idly and often slipped away. In past years, there were several nightly intermissions, in which the crowd steadily declined, so by the end of the evening the massive Wortham lobby, where the shows are held, was nearly empty.

  The program has been tightened up and streamlined this year, Lang said, with entertainment replacing intermissions where the audience sat idly and often slipped away.

 "I feel like fashion is part of the creative community," Lang explained. "We have a lot of other talent in Houston to enhance the experience of Fashion Houston. We're not catering to (store) buyers. We're catering to the people with a 'Project Runway/Victoria's Secret' kind of show. It's fun."

 The talent line-up includes singers Rocko Steady, who created a theme song for Fashion Houston 5, and Tamár Davis on Tuesday night, the MET Dance Company and Latin singer Manuel Noe on Wednesday night, singers Kristine Mills and Ashley Toman Thursday night and singer Taylor Crowley and Crashing Colors on Friday night.

 For those who want to party after the runway shows are over, there will be opportunities for the fashion crowd to mix and mingle at late-night events.

 On Tuesday night, New York rapper jadakiss will be the featured performer at Hughes Hanger; Wednesday night at South Beach will feature Houston DJ/drummer Don Vaughn and America's Next Top Model contestant Will Jardell, Thursday night at the new Prohibition will showcase The Floozies and a big grand finale party will take place Friday night at Crimson.

 Focus on clothes

 Even with the added entertainment, the focus will still be on the clothes. Traditionally, top stores have brought in top designers who show at Fashion Houston and rack up sales at trunk shows the next day. That continues this year with a packed lineup of designers who will meet and greet customers at stores the day after they show at Fashion Houston.

  "Five years ago there was no real fashion presence here. But now we are turning the corner."

 Elizabeth Anthony is showcasing Mohapatra, as well as designers Rene Ruiz and Rolando Santana. Neiman Marcus is bringing in Rebecca Minkoff, Fabrice Tardieu, Rubin Singer, who is debuting his pre-fall 2015 collection in Houston, and Tibi designer Amy Smilovic.

 Tootsies is hosting Khan, jewelry designer Matthew Campbell Laurenza and Peck, while Chloe Dao will be at her Rice Village store. Sloan Hall is bringing in Valentina Kova, a young designer whose New York presentation in a hotel penthouse drew a jammed crowd and whose clientele includes Lady Gaga, Lorde, Miranda Lambert, Julianne Moore, Glenn Close and Laverne Cox. This will be Kova's first full-scale runway show.

 "We have been carrying Valentina's fine jewelry for some time and had been watching the development of her apparel collection. We loved the attention to detail and craftsmanship and started carrying the ready to wear this fall. Bringing her for Fashion Houston seemed like a good way to introduce Valentina to Houston," Sloan Hall co-owner Shannon Hall said.

 To start off each evening of Fashion Houston, Mayor Annise Parker, who is not noted for her fashion prowess, will nevertheless offer her style do's and don't's by video.

 Lang believes that Fashion Houston has come a long way since it launched in 2010.

 "Five years ago there was no real fashion presence here. But now we are turning the corner. We have more than 400 people who are involved putting on this event, from the mayor to the students at HCC and all the artists. In order for to be sustainable, it can't be about only on demographic. It has to be for the whole city."

 ------

 For information or tickets, visit the Fashion Houston website.
 Lavish Saks Nutcracker Market Fashion Show goes glam with Carmen Marc Valvo furs 2014-11-15T10:00:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/11-13-14-fur-sure-carmen-marc-valvoslavish-saks-nutcracker-market-fashion-show-features-carm/
 Talk about great timing.

 On one of Houston's chilliest days of the year, the long, zig-zagging runway at the Saks Fifth Avenue Nutcracker Market Fashion Show was overflowing with a full range of furs from Carmen Marc Valvo guaranteed to provide the idea of warm comfort against the plunging temperatures.

 Slinky gowns, glittery cocktail dresses and crisp slacks and sweater combos were accessorized with furs of all types, from full-length sable coats to mink vests and chinchilla jackets in a natural champagne color that had the audience of more than 1,400 — larger than some Texas towns — who were shoehorned into NRG Center buzzing with the urge to try one on.

 "It's a huge collection," Valvo explained. "Some we make multiples of. Some we buy stock. Some are only one-of-a-kind. We do it (because) it's special, it's expensive, let's see what happens."

 Emcee Deborah Duncan didn't want to take off the luxurious fur coat she showcased on stage, humorously begging Saks general manager Bobby Dees to work out a deal.

 The first segment of the lavish runway show, which featured more than 60 looks styled by producers Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar, had a languid tropical island attitude, in keeping with this year's "Nutcracker Market in Paradise" theme. Models in bright floral print caftans, print shirts and sleeveless dresses cruised the catwalk as the reggae tune, "I Like the Christmas Music" played.

 Then it was onto a series of fashion vignettes as the fabulous furs were showcased with a full range of the store's designer styles, including an array of silver cocktail dresses for the grand finale.

 Valvo recalled visiting Houston more than 16 years ago as a featured designer at one of the first Nutcracker Market fashion shows. "It was much more intimate. It was a rounder space less than half this size. That's when I met many of the Houston ladies," he said. "Now look what it has evolved into. It's amazing."

 With a 10:30 a.m. start time, the event seemed more like a brunch, allowing guests to shop at the downstairs market before and after the runway festivities. A portion of the large audience already had overflowing shopping bags at their tables, while others appeared itching to do some power shopping as soon as the fashion show ended. Leading the throng were luncheon chairs Jo Furr and Vicki Kanaly and Market chair Cecilia Campbell.

 Spotted in the big crowd were Lynda Transier, Kristy Bradshaw, Beth Muecke, Sharon Erskine, Sheree Frede, Tua Burke, C.C. Conner, Jim Furr, Karen Hartnett, Peggy Burke, Cynthe Hughes and Julie Pincus.
 Glam evening with fab designer draws fashionable crowd to glittery runway show 2014-11-12T09:39:21-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/11-12-14-glam-evening-with-fab-designer-draws-fashionable-crowd-to-glittery-runway-show/
 Where: Elizabeth Anthony.

 What: An Evening with Pamella Roland and Jordan Alexander.

 The 411: Bobbie Nau and Elizabeth Anthony owner Julie Roberts welcomed guests to the first runway show inside the expanded boutique, showcasing Pamella Roland's spring 2015 collection, accessorized with Jordan Alexander jewelry, to support the American Heart Association. (Last month, the store hosted an unveiling of the revamped store with a tented runway show featuring Escada. For this runway show, workers installed a temporary gleaming white runway that snaked through the store.)

 Roland and her team easily mingled with guests, who sipped on cocktails and light bites and admired her collection.

 Who: Ilene Allen, Hallie Vanderhider, Jana Giammalva, Helen Perry, Martha Adger, Cathy Fitzpatrick, Jane Wagner, Brandon McClendon, Nancy Herzog, Janice Babel, Jeff Shell, Beth Wolff, Linda Reid, Jan McMillan, Missa Sutton, Harriet Gertner, Justin Makris and Jeanne Ruberti, who directed the runway show.
 H&M vs. Zara: Who comes out on top in battle of The Galleria's cheap chic flagship stores? 2014-11-11T16:15:44-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-11-14-hm-vs-zara-who-comes-out-on-top-in-battle-of-the-gallerias-cheap-chic-flagship-stores/
 Houston fast-fashion shoppers should be in heaven now that H&M has opened a big two-story flagship store — finally — in the Nordstrom wing of The Galleria. Not be outdone, Zara has expanded and revamped its store, located in Galleria I, into a two-story flagship that sparkles with the latest styles.

 So, naturally, CultureMap had to scour both stores to see who's comes out ahead in the battle of stylish, inexpensive fashion.

 Our verdict: Houston shoppers are the big winners, although waits can be daunting and the quality can vary. Here's the scoop from recent visits.

 H&M

 Background: H&M already has three stores in the Houston suburbs, but serious shoppers have waiting for a flagship store that offers more of the trendy looks that has made the Swedish retailer a fashion powerhouse. The new Galleria store is indeed a step above the others, with a wide of array of trendy fashion, along with pieces from the new Alexander Wang X H&M collection found in only a select few United States stores.

  A big sign saying "H&M ♥'s Houston" flashes on a stairway linking two floors that are jammed with clothing and accessories.

 Store tour: A big sign saying "H&M ♥'s Houston" flashes on a stairway linking two floors that are jammed with clothing and accessories. Upstairs is devoted to women's wear, while downstairs includes more women's wear, with an emphasis on party clothes, along with a sizable men's and children's area. The decor is blindingly bright white, with mannequins in groups of eight or nine wearing holiday styles in red, white and black at store entrances.

 How to navigate: The store, which has been open barely a week, is incredibly popular, with waits of 90 minutes or longer in the checkout lines and waiting rooms. "I've never seen a store this busy," says one Houston socialite who had accompanied her granddaughter to the store over the weekend.

 Making the way through the aisles is akin to navigating an obstacle course because the store is so packed with merchandise and shoppers. Best bet is to get there early; the store opens at 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays. And wear minimal clothing so you can try styles over your clothes without waiting for a changing room.

 Style index: H&M is known for making cheap trendy fashion. On close inspection, a lot of it doesn't look well-made and the fabrics aren't soft to the touch, but at $14.95 for a holiday dress, who cares?

 Amid the overload of merchandise there are some incredibly stylish pieces, such as a navy pencil skirt with floral embroidery that looks like an Oscar de la Renta knockoff, black lace tops, leopard jeggings and a gray pullover sweater with a sequined perfume atomizer on the front.

 For men, there is some terrific outerwear, including camo puff jackets and black military-style coats with zippers and a faux-leather collar, along with cool accessories like socks emblazoned with skulls, Elmo caps and a sweatshirt emblazoned with the words, "Don't Push Me Because I'm Close to the Edge."

 On the day were were there, these cheap chic pieces were going much faster than the remainder of the Alexander Wang collection, which retails at a much higher price point. Wang-designed leather jackets at $399 each were languishing on the racks, while dresses and jackets priced at under $25 were gobbled up.

 Zara

 Background: Zara is the flagship chain of the world's largest apparel retailer, the Inditex Group. Headquartered in Spain, it was originally named Zorba after the classic Greek movie, but there was a bar by the same name two blocks away, so to avoid confusion, the owners changed the name.

 Store tour: When Zara came to Houston a few years ago, the store was frankly a disappointment, with an outdated layout and a selection that didn't seem to live up to its reputation as a cheap chic leader. But things have changed with a recent major revamp.

 The store, expanded to two floors, now has a much richer look, with gray slate floors, black marble trim and nifty electronic signage. It resembles the New York flagship, and a store employee bragged that the Houston store was now No. 2 in sales in the nation, behind two New York stores.

  When Zara came to Houston a few years ago, the store was frankly a disappointment. But things have changed with a recent major revamp.

 The entire first floor is the women's department, while upstairs an expanded men's department and a new children's department offers lots of stylish, low-cost options.

 How to navigate: The Zara store is much less jumbled than H&M, with fewer selections presented in a more inviting way. However, with fewer sizes on display, harried store clerks with Bluetooth headsets were constantly calling for additional merchandise to be brought out when a customer asked for a pair of stylish men's boots in a different size. Dressing rooms are easily accessible and the check out lines move quickly.

 Style index: There was always a previous feeling that the Houston Zara store didn't have the latest merchandise carried in New York and other global centers. But now an abundance of hip styles are on display. Some, like black sweatshirts with swaths of metallic gold threading and Donna-Karan like wrap coats for men, might be a little too fashion forward for the Houston male, but it's refreshing to have the choices.

 The range of hip women's clothing is extensive, from paisley tunics to nubby pastel coats and a distinctive shift in wool and leather like-fabric. For nighttime, a black Jackie O sheath is a classic at $100.

 The kid's department is among the best we're shopped in, with selections including adorable pint-sized velvet tuxedos, pink faux fur vests, puffy pastel jackets and an sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan, "I am not a Morning Person." Wish they made that in adult sizes.

 Final verdict: H&M certainly has more selection and a wider variety of stylish looks for a younger audience than Zara. Prices tend to be a little higher at Zara but the quality seems to be better and, on our recent visit, there appeared to be more "I've got to have it" pieces at the revamped flagship.

 Fortunately, both stores are within walking distance of each other in the mall, so serious shoppers can hit both in a single outing. And there's more to come as the British fast fashion retailer Topshop plans a big two-story store in the Galleria, opening next spring.

 We can't wait.
 Socialite opens up most famous closet in America for 1st time since infamous burglary: 3-story palace does good 2014-11-10T14:54:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/11-10-14-socialite-opens-up-most-famous-closet-in-america-for-first-time-since-infamous-burglary-3-story-palace-does-good/
 During all the hoopla this summer over the most famous closet in America, Theresa Roemer insisted that it wasn't just a vanity project. Even after reporters around the world breathlessly described the three-story, 3,000-square-foot closet, with its rows of Louboutins and Hermés handbags, and the brazen burglary of her Woodlands home, Roemer asserted she had built the over-the-top space so she could host charity events there.

 She figured guests would jump at the opportunity to see the closet up-close-and-personal. And she was right.

 Roemer figured guests would jump at the opportunity to see the closet up-close-and-personal. And she was right.

 In the first charity event held in the closet since "the enormous amazing treacherous summer we've had here," Roemer and her husband, Lamar Roemer, opened their palatial Carlton Woods mansion to benefit MoRE Camp Adventure, a New York-based camp for children with cancer, one of several charities for children she has devoted her time to since her son was killed in an automobile accident several years ago.

 "It just goes to show we're back on track, we're fundraising like crazy. They can try to knock me down but I'm not going to stay down," Roemer told around 100 guests to big applause.

 Guests had free reign to peruse the house, including the closet's champagne bar, vanity station and spiral staircase leading up to rows of luxury items, including neatly stacked Louboutins with their signature red heels in full view. Roemer's close friend, Dallas jeweler Mark Pharo, set up shop in the closet with a wide selection of dazzling jeweled necklaces, earrings and bracelets, which guests were encouraged to try on and purchase, with a portion of proceeds going to Camp Adventure.

 Pharo also donated a pair of ruby earrings valued at $14,000 for a raffle benefiting the charity. In picking the winner, he selected six tickets, dramatically announcing that each ticketholder had not won the raffle, before drawing a seventh ticket with Alex Martinez's name on it. Martinez was so excited that he leapt from the sofa and danced around the living room.

 Joining in the fun were Beth Wolff, Gigi Huang, Dr. Bruce and Soly Lachterman, Lori Freese and Dan Zindler, Laura Cook, Sandra Winters, Dan Carnahan, Billy Jackson, Roy and Beth Garcia, David Arpin, Michael Pearce and Matt Burrus, and J. Michael Soliz.

 Also enjoying the unique fundraiser were Tuula Carnahan, Marisela Hudgeons, Natalie Gunderson, Bella Eni, Patrick Bell, Michael Pilie, Dominique Collins, Lauren Smith, Britta Oliverez, Veronica Oliverez, Natalie Gunderson and Brian Beard.
 Whataparty at Whataburger! Doc celebrates birthday with blowout bash at classic Texas burger chain 2014-11-09T17:05:56-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/11-09-14-whataparty-at-whataburger-grodoc-celebrates-birthday-with-bash-at-classic-texas-burger-chain/
 As a kid growing up in south Texas, Dr. Roland Maldonado longed to celebrate his birthday at a fast food restaurant, but his mother always nixed the idea. So when the popular Houston family practitioner was asked at what trendy restaurant he wanted to celebrate his forty-mumblesomething birthday, he told friends that he wanted to keep it simple — "just a patty melt from Whataburger."

 And a great idea was born.

 Maldonado's friends, Edward Sanchez and Raul Diaz, broached the idea of throwing the birthday celebration at a Whataburger restaurant with James Brown, the manager of the popular Texas burger chain's location on the Southwest Freeway, across from Lakewood Church. Soon afterwards, Diaz got a call from area manager Lou Smith, who loved the idea and even welcomed guests to the restaurant on the big night, along with other Whataburger executives who also showed up to offer best wishes.

 More than 70 of Maldonado's friends filled the dining room — many dressed in orange, the signature color of the Whataburger chain. Of course, everyone dined on selections from the menu, with an birthday cake with orange icing for the occasion.

 Maldonado, proudly wearing a birthday sash that was a gift, agreed it was a celebration he will never forget.

 Among those in the throng were Enid Sanchez, Scott Miller, Elizabeth Whitehead, Sofia van der Dys, Patti Murphy, Ryland Holmes, Brittany Zucker, Abigail and Howard Reiner, Lanny and Debbie Griffith, Glenwood Weber, Steve Henry, Iory Ortiz, John Dascoulias, Salvador Flores Gil and Therese Landa.
 Model mogul's wild "double nickle" party has guests channeling Tina Turner and Dancing With The Stars 2014-11-08T11:46:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/11-08-14-model-moguls-wild-double-nickle-party-has-guests-channeling-tina-turner-and-idancing-with-the-starsi/
 To celebrate Neal Hamil's "double nickel birthday," his pals Rosmarie Johnson and Courtney Hopson pulled out all the stops. The duo took over Up restaurant in Highland Village for an over-the-top Sunday afternoon celebration that went on for several hours to celebrate the longtime New York and Houston model agent's milestone day.

 One huge, long table, dramatically covered in white cloth and vases of white flowers, took up most of the main dining room, as more than 60 of Hamil's nearest and dearest friends gathered to toast the birthday boy.

 While guests dined on brunch delicacies like lobster beignets, gruyere mac and cheese, crab cake Benedict and beef short rib hash, downed with generous supplies of champagne, Bubba McNeely and Greg Giacona, who make up the singing duo Bubba & Greg, performed standards like "At Last" and "Me and Mrs. Jones."

 As the party appeared to wind down, the duo swung into more up-tempo tunes like "Billie Jean" and "Proud Mary" that had guests up and dancing. Among the standouts were Claire Cormier Thielke, who performed a wicked Tina Turner imitation, and Diane Lokey Farb and Fady Armanious, who danced with the finesse of contestants on Dancing With the Stars.

 Among the passel of A-list guests were John and Becca Cason Thrash, Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliand, Annie Amante, Fred Smith, Jacob Sudhoff and Jerry Hooker, Lennart Kulke, Greg Fourticq, Holly Moore, Jeanne and James Ruberti, Jeri and Jim Moore, Dr. Jacob and Nicki Tai , Valerie Sarofim, and Hamil's sister Karen Hamil Stueck and her husband, Chris Stueck.
 A movie star's intimate Houston lunch with Lynn Wyatt ends with a Shakespeare ode to love 2014-11-06T11:02:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/11-06-14-a-movie-stars-intimate-houston-lunch-with-lynn-wyatt-ends-with-a-shakespeare-ode-to-love/
 When Lynn Wyatt learned her good friends, actor Michael York and his wife, Pat, were headed to Houston for a screening of the remastered classic, Cabaret, she gathered friends for an intimate luncheon at her River Oaks home, which she modestly refers to as her "teepee" since it is smaller than her former mansion on River Oaks Boulevard.

 Guests, including Museum of Fine Arts, Houston director Gary Tinterow, MFAH curator of film and video Marian Luntz, Patty Hubbard, Franci Crane, Judy Nyquist, Wendy Wattriss and Fred Baldwin, Carl Palazzolo and Vance Muse, sat at two round tables in the dining room, where wait staff served pumpkin soup, avocado with poached egg and salmon (a refreshing favorite that Wyatt often served at her home in the south of France) and a dessert of apple tart topped with vanilla yogurt and whipped cream.

 Tinterow related a number of the scenes in the film to paintings by Otto Dix and Hans Beckmann of 1930s-era Berlin while images of the artwork played on the screen.

 Amid a wide-ranging conversation, Crane told York about the upcoming Houston Cinema Arts Festival honoring director James Ivory. The actor, whose eclectic acting career has ranged from Romeo and Juliet to the Austin Powers movies, recalled starring in the 1969 Merchant Ivory film The Guru.

 In recent years, York has battled amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder caused by the abnormal production of insoluble proteins that clump together in different parts of the body. He has undergone a stem-cell transplant to fight the disease and was in great spirits and strong voice as he honored Wyatt by reciting William Shakespeare's most famous ode to love, "Sonnet No. 116," without notes.

 Wyatt, who had just returned from a quick trip to New York to offer condolences to Annette de la Renta, the widow of famed fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, was visibly touched by York's kind gesture. "I've got goosebumps," she said. "I wish I would have had that taped. I would play it every morning."

 On Monday night, a sold-out crowd at the MFAH Brown Auditorium watched the 1972 Oscar-winning film and gave the Yorks a standing ovation. In a conversation with Tinterow that preceded the movie, Michael and Pat York offered up stories from the set of the movie and told how the cast, including Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, became close and have remained friends.

 Tinterow related a number of the scenes in the film to paintings by Otto Dix and Hans Beckmann of 1930s-era Berlin while images of the artwork played on the screen. While the conversation continued, stills taken on the set by Pat York — a portrait of Michael York with Minnelli, Marisa Berenson waiting for a scene to start shooting, director Bob Fosse and York sitting on the lawn of a palace estate — flashed on the large screen, along with images from the film.

 Michael York also spoke about how special it was to work with Fosse. At the end of a day of filming, the director invited the actors to see the rushes and discuss them, offer their feedback, he said.
 Houston fashion designer is a budding reality star: New series reveals Elaine Turner's wacky and real side 2014-11-06T08:02:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/11-06-14-houston-fashion-designer-is-a-budding-reality-star-new-series-reveals-elaine-turners-wacky-and-real-side/
 Elaine Turner isn't a household name yet, but she's getting there. The Houston accessories designer has launched a web series called Elaine's Big Life that details a funny, warts-and-all, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a fashion brand in today's fast-paced world.

 The first episode, which was previewed at a recent party at Turner's flagship Rice Village store and can be seen on YouTube, had guests laughing as Turner candidly explained what she does and how she does it in humorous ways before turning more serious.

  "Whatever you're passionate about, figure out a way to make money doing it, and do it in your own way."

 "Whatever you're passionate about, figure out a way to make money doing it, and do it in your own way. And don't feel like you have to conform to the masses or to another person's idea of what success is because all of us define success in a different way," she says in the video, which was produced by Jenna Jackson, founder of P&R Productions.

 "Jenna and I are close friends and we decided that maybe there is something worth telling here about this brand and this entrepreneurial story," Turner told the crowd. "Ultimately I'm just wanting to raise the consciousness about women and what we can all do and empower each other while we are wearing all these different hats.

 "I feel like we are run around the world thinking we're not enough and we are. We do that through heart and humor and hard work."

 For YouTube subscribers, a new episode will be emailed to their email address every Wednesday through April.

 "We're hoping Bravo doesn't pick up our star of our show before then," the company's executive vice president Heather McLeskey said to much laughter. "One of the things that I'm most excited about is this really showcases who Elaine is and that's the person I've known for 11-1/2 years and have had so much fun with in building this dream of ours."

 The first episode, which introduces Turner's team and shows a glimpse of them at design meetings, runs for more than five minutes, but future episodes will run around two minutes and will cover parties, product meetings and other aspects of Turner's daily life both professional and personal.

 Joining in the celebration were Jim Turner, David Peck, Roz Pactor, Heather Staible, Jackie Fair, Jennifer Lasida, Lisa Graham Garza, Loren Hamilton, Alyssa Craig, Brittany Boone, Lauren Sanford, Jess Rogers, David Bamford, Luis Perez and Shawn Conerly.

 See the first webisode of Elaine's Big Life here:

 Texas remains true red: Greg Abbott trounces Wendy Davis in governor's race 2014-11-04T22:46:22-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/11-04-14-texas-remains-true-red-greg-abbott-trounces-wendy-davis-in-governors-race-1/
 Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott trounced his Democratic opponent State Sen. Wendy Davis to become the next governor of Texas, although the vote count was much closer in Harris County.

 Statewide, Abbott outpolled Davis by 20 points (with 88 percent of the vote counted) but in Harris County, he nipped Davis by 51 percent to 47 percent.

 "The people of Texas have spoken and I am deeply honored to be your next Texas governor," Abbott said to a cheering crowd, adding that he had spoken to Davis. "I thanked her and told her what I want to tell you, whether you voted for me, against me, or didn't vote at all, I am going to work every single day to keep Texas the best state in the United States of America."

 Republicans won all contested statewide races and virtually all such races in Harris County. In the most hotly fought race in Harris County, District Attorney Devon Anderson appears to have staved off a tough challenge from attorney Kim Ogg to win election. Anderson won 53 percent of votes to Ogg's 47 percent.
 Movie-mad designer creates Taylor-made collection for an island getaway (or Orange Is The New Black star) 2014-11-03T13:45:00-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/10-30-14-thakoon/
 NEW YORK — With fake sunlight streaming through window slats and models in luscious silk prints moving languidly down the runway, the Thakoon spring 2015 runway show seemed like a scene out of the classic Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall movie, Key Largo.

 Schilling, in a black-and-white polka dotted suit that mirrored the collection, posed for photos with Panichgul, who has called the star his fashion muse.

  Actually, designer Thakoon Panichgul, whose eclectic clientele includes first lady Michelle Obama and Orange Is the New Black star Taylor Schilling (who admired the collection from a prime front row seat), said he was referencing the 1959 Brazilian movie Black Orpheus, set in Rio during Carnaval. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

 The collection, which marked his 10th anniversary at New York fashion week, has the exotic feeling of a film noir travelogue, with a loose robe dress, cropped pants and pajama-like trousers in a wine-colored tropical bloom pattern and dresses and slacks in palm fronds prints on a turquoise background.

 Known for his unique manipulation of fabrics, Panichgul embroiders slim skirts with raffia-woven stripes and pullover sweaters with feathery fringe yarn in contrasting shades — often worn with thick-heeled sandals that promise to be one of springs biggest trends.

 While many of the looks seem ready-made for a tropical getaway, the designer closed the collection with a series of black and white ensembles in graphic shapes that evoke a more urban attitude. A long-sleeve mini dress in braided black and ivory seems ready made for New York or Houston streets.

 After the show, Schilling, in a black-and-white polka dotted suit that mirrored the collection, posed for photos with Panichgul, who has called the star his fashion muse. At the 2013 Emmys, she wore an emerald-green gown that he designed for her.
 Divine Miss M's first major tour in a decade includes Houston stop with tribute to girl groups 2014-11-03T11:25:18-06:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/11-03-14-divine-miss-ms-first-major-tour-in-a-decade-includes-houston-stop-with-tribute-to-girl-groups/
 Bette Midler is coming to Houston.

 The legendary singer announced Monday she will return to the stage for her first major tour in a decade, coinciding with the release of her new CD, It's the Girls!, on Tuesday. The concert will include Midler's greatest hits as well as material from the new album, which pays tribute to girl groups through the ages, from the Andrews Sisters to the Supremes to TLC.

 The 22-city tour kicks off in Hollywood, Fla., on May 8, 2015 and makes a Houston stop at the Toyota Center on May 18. Houston is the only Texas stop on the tour.

 Tickets will go on sale beginning Nov. 24 online at Live Nation and Toyota Center, as well as at most area Randall's stores and by phone at 1-866-4-HOUTIX. Every online purchase will include a copy of Midler's new CD.

 American Express card members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning beginning Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. CST through Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. CST.

 New Mrs. B Collection reflects Borlenghi's Italian passion for fine jewelry 2014-10-28T15:48:27-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/10-28-14-new-mrs-b-collection-reflects-borlenghis-italian-passion-for-fine-jewelry-1/
 Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi are a power couple who can't keep still. While he builds some of Houston's most glamorous high-rise towers (Four Leaf, Villa d'Este, Montabello and the new Belfiore), she has created a sparkling new jewelry line, the Mrs. B Collection, that features one-of-a-kind pieces made from Scaramazza pearls.

 "I was known for my handbag business and I retired," Borlenghi explained on a recent afternoon at the Hotel Granduca. "Then I got out of retirement. So when Giorgio teases me about getting out of retirement, I say, 'You be quiet.' Because he was retired for three weeks. Now he's building all over the place."

  "Like they say, 'Everything is bigger in Texas,' " Borlenghi said with a laugh. "We kept the smaller version, but we also produced a bigger version."

 She says she had long thought of creating a jewelry collection, because "I like fun things." It all came together about 18 months ago, when her husband bought her an unusual ring made of 18-karat rose gold and irregular pearls when they were in Italy during one of their many frequent visits to their homeland. She met the designer Antonella Aquilino, a fourth generation goldsmith and gemologist, and they immediately hit it off and decided to collaborate on a new jewelry line.

 "I love pearls. But the regular perfect round pearl doesn't reflect me because I color outside the box," Cathy Borlenghi said. "These reflect me. They're one of a kind. Every one is different."

 The signature pieces in the collection, handmade in Italy, are necklaces featuring a strand of white pearls and onyx, galaxy or hematite beads that can be worn long, layered, wrapped around the neck or transformed into a choker. "It goes with anything. You can put it on a pair of jeans or a white shirt or you can put it on a little black dress and it works," she said. "It's classic and it will never go out of style. Pearls are timeless."

 She and Aquilino have expanded the collection, with "Love Knot" earrings of carved stones and bracelets that can be linked to the necklace to make it longer. They also work with small fresh water pearls and semi precious and precious stones, including diamonds, amethyst, citrine, jade, onyx and quartz. Prices range from $1,400 to $10,000.

 After an initial showing of the jewelry at Valobra last fall, Borlenghi decided to design larger pieces when customers asked for bigger rings and earrings. "Like they say, 'Everything is bigger in Texas,' " Borlenghi said with a laugh. "We kept the smaller version, but we also produced a bigger version. But you go to another part of the country and it could be a different story."

 To showcase the collection, she recently opened a small boutique in the lobby of the Hotel Granduca in Uptown Park where the full collection is available. "We want to grow into something that people are eager to know what is the new thing this year we have added to the collection," she said. "Once you get start getting basic pieces, it's easy to add on."
 Rave on: Marc by Marc is hip again, thanks to designers with subversive spirit 2014-10-26T14:30:00-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/10-25-14-rave-on-designers-with-subversive-spirit-help-make-marc-by-marc-hip-again/
 NEW YORK — Marc Jacobs finally realized one designer can't do everything. So as he poured more of this energies into his namesake label, he handed off design duties for his more youthful Marc by Marc line to two fortysomething Brits — Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley.

 It sure has paid off.

  The duo won raves for their initial Marc by Marc fall collection that's in stores now. And in their second collaboration for the brand, now dubbed MBMJ, the British duo have recaptured the spirit that made the collection so appealing to Jacobs' core teens and twentysomething audience in the first place and injected a needed dose of enthusiasm into the line.

 A series of "patched" dresses mix pleats and prints, sweatshirt fabric and bubble wrap in ways that are truly innovative if not terribly practical.

 The spring 2015 collection, which debuted amid a sound and laser light extravaganza that emulated a '90s rave, has a fresh attitude. Bartley, who was a fashion darling when she showed her own collection in New York over several seasons before shuttering the line in 2008, and Hillier clearly don't take themselves — or their clothes — too seriously. They believe, particularly for the brand's young customer, dressing up should be fun.

 They update fetish gear in a playful way, with latex fabrics in black polka dots over pastel blue and yellow — wildly exaggerated at times in caplets, folded pencil skirts and dresses with excess fabric gathered at the waist. Rubberized boots and molded handbags, also in Jetson colors, have an impish cartoon quality.

 Colorful satin dresses, three-quarter pants and blouses in pink, yellow and blue also have a sunny subversive spirit, along with oversized ninja pants, T-shirts emblazoned with the words "New World System" and cropped hoodie shirts.

 A series of military-influenced looks — a trend for next spring among designers who aim at a young audience, like Rag & Bone and Band of Outsiders — are a bit more serious but offer a unique take. Rather that utilize Army green, the designers create crisp flight suits and jackets in white canvas.

 A series of "patched" dresses that look like nothing I've ever seen closed out the show. They mix pleats and prints, sweatshirt fabric and bubble wrap in ways that are truly innovative if not terribly practical.

 At the end, when the two designers came out for their runway bow, Jacobs, who was seated as a spectator, enveloped them in a joyous group hug.
 Amid echoes of the past, former Texas governor honored for courageous decisions 2014-10-26T11:30:00-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/10-26-14-amid-echoes-of-the-past-former-texas-governor-honored-for-courageous-decisions/
 More than 150 guests turned out to salute former Gov. Mark White at Hughes Hangar as he received the Clarence Darrow Award from the Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association. White, who served as Texas governor from 1983-1987, Texas Attorney General (1979-1983) and Secretary of State (1973-77), was honored for devoting his career to preserving fundamental fairness in the rule of law for everyone, no matter how unpopular or difficult in the tradition of Darrow.

 Speakers noted that White changed Texas' education system by instituting "No Pass, No Play" requirements and raised teacher's salaries significantly. He also appointed the first Hispanics to the Texas Supreme Court and other Texas courts and the first African American to serve as Texas Secretary of State.

 As his wife, Linda Gale White, son Mark White III, daughter Elizabeth White Russell and husband Seth Russell looked on, White spoke about the importance of doing the right thing and gave a nod to attorney John Raley, along with the Innocence Project, who obtained the release of Michael Morton from prison following a 1987 wrongful conviction in Williamson County.

 White, 74, has become a strong advocate for criminal justice and immigration reform. Earlier this year, he wrote an article titled "America's Capital Punishment Crisis" in Politico magazine, urging improvements in the death penalty system.

 Music from Willie Nelson, one of White's favorite singers, played throughout the evening as photos of White in earlier years with such notables as Prince Charles, Walter Cronkite, Ann Richards and Nelson flashed on nearby screens.

 Among those in the throng were HCDLA president Tim Riley, Harris County Democratic Party chair Lane Lewis, John Odam, Jim Peacock, Harold Landreneau, George Barnstone, Barbara Radnofsky, Chris Bell, Judy and Jim Daughterty, Steven Duble and HCDLA board members Lee Arellano, Sam Houston, Bruce Johnson, Donna Roth, Dion Ramos, Tasso Triantaphyllis and Steve Wisch.
 Alexander Wang mixes sporty spirit and sexy attitude in high-tech collection 2014-10-24T12:16:31-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/10-24-14-alexander-wang-mixes-sporty-spirit-and-sexy-attitude-in-high-tech-collection/
 NEW YORK — Between designing for the famed French fashion house Balenciaga and creating a special collection for H&M, Alexander Wang has had an usually busy fall. But I get the feeling the 30-year-old wunderkind designer still gets the most joy out of spending time on his namesake line that started it all.

 That seemed to be case at the end of Wang's spiffy spring 2015 show, when he came bounding out onto the runway like a young colt, his shoulder-length hair flapping in the fan-made breeze, with a joyful smile, to receive warm applause from the mix of seasoned fashion pros and admiring hipsters. It's hard to fake exuberance.

 Wang's collection features attractive high-tech urban streetwear that's bound to be gobbled up when it appears in stores.

 Unlike his fall show, which featured a finale in which all-black pieces turned into bright shades thanks to thermal color-changing technology from the heat of overhead warmers, Wang's spring collection doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. It just features attractive high-tech urban streetwear that's bound to be gobbled up when it appears in stores.

 The collection has a sporty attitude, incorporating perforated fabrics and mesh netting in skirts, jackets, flowing colorblock dresses and even in nifty sandals. All-white made-for-Wimbledon skirts and jackets with green collars provide a fresh riff on tennis togs while body-clinging Nike Flyknit-type fabric is reinterpreted in form-fitting bandage dresses in eye-popping neon shades.

 For dressier occasions, terrific high-waisted slim pants, some with contrasting trim at the pockets, look smart. One such pair of satin pants, worn with a white cutaway jacket, offers a chic alternative to the usual gala attire. And for the woman who wants to be a little more daring, Wang offers red-and-gray pleated bra tops that look like high-tech flames licking the upper body.

 The shoes also are interesting, with colorful woven flats that are sure to be big sellers and black sandals of techo-fishnet fabric.
 Rena Lange sees the light with art-inspired collection that's a little mod 2014-10-23T17:11:55-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/10-23-14-rena-lange-sees-the-light-with-art-inspired-collection-thats-a-little-mod/
 NEW YORK — Most fashion designer showrooms are located in stuffy midtown Manhattan towers. But Rena Lange is in the center of the trendy Meatpacking District, in a second floor corner of a brick building with large windows that allow sunlight to flood in.

 If visitors didn't know better, they might think they are in a new boutique, not in a space open to store buyers only.

  Turrell's cool colors and vivid shapes are instantly noticed in a white silk sheath with floating red and pink panels.

 Perhaps the sunny surroundings have rubbed off because the Rena Lange resort and spring 2015 collections have a bright attitude, with graphic sheaths, dresses in abstract floral patterns, spiffy crop jackets with magnetic snaps, eyelet dresses and tailored tweed jackets in a blue, white and black weave. "We're known as the House of Tweed," says James Fletcher, vice president of sales.

 The design team for the German label, a big seller in Houston for its feminine yet classic styles, looks to the work of artists James Turrell, Francois Morellet, Kazimir Malevich and Steven Naifeh as influences for the new collection. Turrell's cool pastels and vivid shapes are instantly noticed in in a white silk sheath with floating red and pink panels or a shift in strips of black, white, purple and blue.

 Parts of the collection also have a '60s mod feeling, particular in dresses emblazoned with Morellet-inspired black and white test pattern images.

 Look for even more changes in fall when new creative director Ludwig Heissmeyer unveils his first collection for Rena Lange. As the former design director at Carolina Herrera, Heissmeyer is expected to put his sophisticated stamp on the brand.

 ---------

 A trunk show of the Rena Lange resort and spring 2015 collections continues at Elizabeth Anthony through Oct. 24.
 Acclaimed directors, Oscar contenders and street scenes highlight Houston Cinema Arts Festival lineup 2014-10-21T18:00:00-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/arts/10-21-14-acclaimed-directors-oscar-contenders-and-street-scenes-highlight-houston-cinema-arts-festival-lineup/
 Two acclaimed directors with contrasting styles will headline the sixth annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival, organizers announced at a launch party at the Sam Houston Hotel Tuesday night.

 James Ivory, whose much praised drawing room films include Room With a View and Howard's End, will receive the festival's Levantine Cinema Award on Nov. 14, where he will showcase his newest film, City of Your Final Destination.

 Ivory will also screen his 1990 film, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, on Nov. 15 and his classic 1993 film, Remains of the Day, on Nov. 16.

 "The festival program is unbelievably dense, but it doesn't look like a thicket to me; it's a garden. There are paths to take through the wilderness, kind of like Reese Witherspoon traveling through Wild."

 Julie Taymor, the director of Broadway's cutting-edge The Lion King as well as the controversial Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, will open the festival on Nov. 12 with her new film, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and discuss it afterward with Alley Theatre artistic director Greg Boyd.

 The festival, which combines films, live performance, music, dance and photography, will run from Nov. 12 - 16 with a full slate of offerings at such locations as the Museum of Fine Arts, Sundance Cinemas, The Aurora Picture Show, Rice Media Center, Miller Outdoor Theater and two new venues, The Menil Collection and Brandon Gallery, next to Cafe Brasil.

 There is so much packed into the five-day festival that it can sometimes overwhelm participants, festival artistic director Richard Herskowitz acknowledged. His solution: Concentrate on the areas that interest you most — there are films on literature, theater, architecture and design, fashion, the cinema, photography, music and dance — many with a live performance component.

 "In our catalogue and on our website, we list films by art form," Herskowitz says. "So if you are passionate about dance you can go see Elizabeth Streb present Born to Fly or you can go to Revolve on Camera, a live dance on film (featuring the Spring-based Revolve Dance Company).

 "There's a mini-festival of dance woven throughout the festival, a mini-festival of music. That's something we're very conscious of. The festival program is unbelievably dense, but it doesn't look like a thicket to me; it's a garden. There are paths to take through the wilderness, kind of like Reese Witherspoon traveling through Wild."

 Oscar contenders

 Witherspoon's new movie, which details the real life story of a woman who hiked the Pacific Coast Trail alone, and The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch who portrays one of Britain's most extraordinary war heroes — both considered to be major Oscar contenders — are part of the festival schedule.

 Other distinctive films include The Sound and Fury, directed by and starring James Franco, Clouds of Sils Maria, from celebrated French director Olivier Assayas and starring Juliette Binoche and Kristin Stewart, and the U.S. premiere of the Houston Ballet/Lang Lang collaboration Sons de L'âme ("Sounds of the Soul").

 The festival's other featured guests include legendary avant-garde filmmaker Ken Jacobs, Dee Halleck, founder of Paper Tiger TV, and acclaimed Brazilian director Marcelo Gomes, who will present two of his films.

 Unique "live cinema" performances will take place each night of the festival, including the Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Roadshow with Thomas Allen Harris, in which attendees are asked to bring family photos, and Wolf: A live performance by Deke Weaver, where the actor takes on the roll of an animal.

 "We've expanded that component of the festival — live performances, a theatrical experience you can't get at home, unique one-time events that you have to see when we show them, that's your only chance," Herskowitz said.

 Street life

 A large chuck of programming centers on street photography, with films, like Cheryl Dunn's Everybody Street, and a gallery exhibition featuring the street photos and videos of guest artists James Nares, Jem Cohen, Ken Jacobs and Dunn.

 "Zeroing in on this fascinating aspect of art that is made outside of confined spaces is really a rich way of looking at film and the interrelationships between films," Herskowitz said.

 "Street art is artistic expression, uncurated. It's out there in the streets becoming the museum. Street photography is people finding wondrous things to behold in the streets that we take for granted. Reactivating democracy is what really excites people about the street."

 For more information about the 2014 Houston Cinema Arts Festival, visit the festival's website.
 A favorite of first ladies and Houston's social set, Oscar de la Renta was always a gentleman 2014-10-20T23:47:09-05:00 Clifford Pugh http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/10-20-14-a-favorite-of-first-ladies-and-houstons-social-set-oscar-de-la-renta-was-always-a-gentleman-1/
 An Oscar de la Renta runway show is always a highlight during New York Fashion Week. The clothing is remarkably crafted, with a big "wow" factor, and frightfully expensive; the setting is civilized, without the hordes of hangers-on at many other fashion shows: the models are gorgeous and the beloved designer with a perpetual tan, impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, always shyly takes a bow at the end that is so quick that if you look away for a split-second you miss it.

 So naturally, there was a buzz of excitement about the showing of his collection on Sept. 11, 2001.

  At every big Houston gala, a sizable contingent of women wouldn't think of wearing anyone else but Oscar.

 But, as we all know now, terrorists struck the World Trade Center that day, and de la Renta, of course, canceled his show.

 "With what happened, showing a collection is of such little importance," he told me a few months later as we traveled in the back of a limousine from Bush Intercontinental Airport to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where the collection was shown for the first time after the attacks. "But nevertheless we had a feeling of defeat in a sense. You work so hard to try and put something together and then it did not happen. It's like a movie without an ending."

 As I wrote while working for the Houston Chronicle at the time, "(De la Renta) was so eager to see how the collection looked on a runway, with the same Caribbean backdrop and music planned for the original presentation, that he hopped a plane to Houston, saw the show, which was presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, and returned immediately to New York. 'This is the busiest time for me,' he explained."

 During his few hours in Houston, de la Renta charmed the audience, mingling with good friend Lynn Wyatt and other Houston women who are loyal customers. Then he was on his way, content that fashion could survive dark times and remain relevant with a picture-perfect movie ending.

 De la Renta died Monday night at his Connecticut home after a long bout with cancer. He was 82. The fashion world is mourning him while also celebrating his outsized impact on American fashion. In a career that spanned more than half a century, de la Renta was the favorite of first ladies on both sides of the political spectrum as well as social lionesses in Texas and across the nation.

 Designer to the stars

 De la Renta first made a name for himself when he designed for Jacqueline Kennedy in the early 1960s. Thirty years later, he became a close friend of Hillary Clinton, helping to transform her fashion image when he dressed her in a black velvet gown for the cover of Vogue in 1998. (Clinton was the first first lady to appear on the cover of the premier fashion magazine.)

  He is so popular in the Bayou City that at one gala, three women showed up in the same Oscar gown.

 He was the go-to designer for Nancy Reagan in the 1980s and Laura Bush during the first decade of the 21st century, designing the winter white cashmere coat and matching dress that Bush wore to her husband's 2005 inaugural as well as the beaded gown she wore to inaugural balls that night.

 Retrospectives of de la Renta's work have been shown at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock in 2013 and at the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, where the exhibit closed October 5.

 Recently, de la Renta also made headlines when Amal Alamuddin wore a custom-designed Oscar de la Renta gown when she married George Clooney in Venice. And after six years in the White House without wearing a de la Renta creation, first lady Michelle Obama recently made a fashion statement in a black cocktail dress with blue embroidery from a recent de la Renta collection at the White House Fashion Education Workshop before many of the designer's peers.

 Throughout his storied career, Houston's social set continued to remain some of his biggest fans. Diane Lokey Farb and Pat Breen were regulars at his New York shows; Noelle Sakowitz, the daughter of Robert Sakowitz and Laura Sweeney, is de la Renta's textile development supervisor and young Houston designer Amir Taghi interned in de la Renta's New York studio one recent summer.

 At every big Houston gala, a sizable contingent of women wouldn't think of wearing anyone else but Oscar. He is so popular in the Bayou City that at one gala, three women showed up in the same Oscar gown.

 Earlier this year Houston Ballet Ball chair Shawn Stephens scouted out a magenta de la Renta gown with gold embroidery because it matched the Aladdin theme of the gala. "I watched the video (of the runway show) online and I thought, 'I have to have that dress,' " Stephens told CultureMap.

 The power of femininity
 Even though he was rumored to be in failing health in recent years, de la Renta didn't appear to be slowing down. Two years ago he revived his children's clothing line, showcasing it in a runway show before an unusually attentive audience of celebrity moms and their kids in his midtown Manhattan showroom during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

  "A woman knows that putting on lipstick and dressing and looking pretty in the workplace is important. And that is what I have always done best," he explained.

  "We started using some of our leftover fabric (from the womens collection) and started making dresses and selling them. And I said, 'Why not?' So we started doing it again. And we've been very successful," he told me after the show.

 He also was the first to reach out to John Galliano, inviting the disgraced Dior designer to work with him on his fall 2013 collection. Although de la Renta was widely criticized for lending a helping hand to Galliano, the collection was praised and some wondered if Galliano would become de la Renta's heir apparent. Instead, the designer turned to Nina Ricci designer Peter Copping, who just last week agreed to join de la Renta.

 Over the years, as women's roles in society changed, de la Renta's clientele expanded from the ladies who lunch and go to charity balls to include professional working women. His secret? The power of femininity, he said when we talked in 2001.

 "A woman knows that putting on lipstick and dressing and looking pretty in the workplace is important. And that is what I have always done best," he explained.

 He also said, even back then, that he had no plans to quit any time soon. "People ask me, `When are you going to retire?' I say, `The day I no longer feel that I have the passion for doing it,' " he said.


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Atlanta Hawks (3-3) at Charlotte Bobcats (3-3), 7 p.m.
(SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of .500 teams clash in Charlotte Monday night
when the Bobcats welcome the Atlanta Hawks to The Time Warner Cable Arena for
a Southeast Division battle.
Steve Clifford returns to the bench for the Bobcats. He missed Friday's loss
at home to the New York Knicks after a procedure placed two stents in his
Clifford complained of chest pains Thursday night and checked into the
hospital. The procedure occurred on Friday and Patrick Ewing took Clifford's
spot in the loss to his former squad.
On Friday, Ewing did his best, but the Bobcats got buried by the Knicks,
"I was nervous at first but once the game started I was able to calm down and
do my thing," Ewing said.
Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 25 points and five assists. Gerald Henderson
chipped in 18 points, followed by 14 from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. They were
the only Bobcats in double figures, but Bismack Biyombo pulled down 11
The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Bobcats, who will be
without star center and prize free agent Al Jefferson, who has a bone bruise
in his right ankle.
The Hawks have rotated wins and losses this season and the latest was a 104-94
victory over the Orlando Magic Saturday night at home.
With 3:50 left in the game, Atlanta trailed by one, but closed the game on a
10-0 run. That victory pushed the Hawks to 2-0 at home in the early part of
the season.
"It's a game of runs. You always want to have the last run. So tonight we
did," said Kyle Korver, who has hit a 3-pointer in 79 consecutive games, which
tied Michael Adams for the second-longest streak in NBA history.
Six Hawks scored in double figures on Saturday, led by 19 and 13 assists from
Jeff Teague. Paul Millsap also contributed a double-double with 18 points and
11 rebounds.
Mike Scott (17), Al Horford (15), Korver (14) and DeMarre Carroll (12) all
cracked the 10-point plateau against Orlando.
The Hawks only committed 13 turnovers in the victory. Atlanta leads the NBA in
assists (28.3) and steals (10.5).
The Hawks have won eight straight against the Bobcats, spanning the last two
seasons. Atlanta has taken four in a row and five of its last six in Charlotte
and has home tilts against the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers this
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- Follow HabsWorld
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- With a $5 M cap hit, Sergei Gonchar is one of the most expensive d-men in franchise history. The only ones higher are P.K. Subban ($9 M), Andrei Markov ($5.75 M), Mathieu Schneider ($5.75 M), and Roman Hamrlik ($5.5 M).
Profile: Dustin Boyd(2010-09-08 15:50 posted by B. La Rose)
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'0
Weight: 187 lbs
Birthday: July 16, 1986
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Acquired: Trade with Nashville, 2010
Draft Team: Calgary
Draft Year: 2004
Round/Overall: 3rd/98th
Salary: $650,000
HW Prospect Rankings: N/A
Scouting Report
Strengths: A strong defensive forward that can play on the PK; he also has good speed and can chip in offensively from time to time as well.
Weaknesses: Is somewhat of a streaky forward, he scores in spurts and then goes quiet for a month. Faceoffs are an area that is improving but needs to be better, as does his physical play.
Projected Role: 4th line forward/AHL call-up
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text:
NFL plans Play 60 spots for Thanksgiving Van Wagner hires Nelligan Sports trio The Lefton Report: Red Sox head start R&A refreshes British Open identity Guinness renews soccer tourney deal NHL teams go solar Omaha Steaks sees sizzle in reality show The Lefton Report: Data on tap IMG restyles European operations Daily fantasy goes big
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SBJ/Jan. 17-23, 2011/Marketing and Sponsorship
Shot-tracking tech firm renews with PGA Tour
Published January 17, 2011, Page 8
TrackMan, co-founded in 2003 by an engineer and a doctor fond of golf, measures the launch angle, ball flight and other characteristics of a golf shot. Many of those measurements are used on the TV broadcast of PGA Tour events.
Terms of the arrangement were not available, but Klaus Eldrup Jorgensen, co-founder and CEO of TrackMan, said the money really isn't as significant as the exposure TrackMan receives on the broadcasts.
"The brand gets mentioned quite often," said Jorgensen, who practiced as a physician for five years before returning to school for an MBA and eventually running TrackMan from Vedbaek, Denmark. "That's primarily what we get out of it."
TrackMan has found its technology useful in baseball as well, where it has made sales to the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, among MLB teams, but golf remains the core business.
Most of TrackMan's $8 million a year in annual sales come from the manufacturers that buy TrackMan to improve equipment, while also providing a more accurate fit for the club-buying public.
Jorgensen said practically every club, ball and shaft manufacturer is a buyer, and more than 60 tour pros internationally have bought the TrackMan system for their practice purposes. They include Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer and Ben Curtis, Jorgensen said.
For the tour, TrackMan provides information to both aid the broadcast and help the tour deliver its product to the consumer. Steve Evans, the tour's vice president of information systems, said the information enables the tour to provide more than just the scores to the fans. "It helps demonstrate the abilities of PGA Tour pros," he said.
Among the stats that are kept: club speed, ball speed, shot trajectory, carry, launch angle, launch direction and ball spin rate. The tour collects this information annually, which provides a year-to-year measure in those categories, and also uses it for ShotLink and other elements online at PGATour.com.


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Lead J.D. Edwards Integration Engineer Jobs in Washington
2 Washington Lead J.D. Edwards Integration Engineer jobs found on Monster.Jobs 1 to 2 of 2
Abbott is currently looking for a Superintendent with experience on Restaurant Remodels and TI work. Experience as a superintendent working on Restaurant Projects is required. Please include your project list with your resume. SUPERINTENDENT Accountable to Project Manager & Field Operations Manager The Superintendent role: The Superintendent runs the field operations, in the delivery of a pro...
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Meets cost standards by monitoring expenses; implementing cost-saving actions.
Accomplishes work requirements by orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, and coaching employees.


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1-10 of 16 properties with a garden to rent found
£499 pw
4 bedroom house to rent Newark Crescent, North Acton NW10 7BD
We are pleased to offer this 4 bedrooms house located in a quiet residential area of North Acton. In addition the property boasts separate reception room, three double and one single bedrooms, family bathroom, a separate WC and a large rear garden... More details ›
£508 pw
4 bedroom house to rent Wells House Road, North Acton, NW10 6EA
A spacious 4 Double bedroom Semi Detached House (Zone 2, Central Line) * 4 Double bedrooms * Large separate reception room with wooden flooring * Spacious and modern fully fitted kitchen * Bright fully tiled bathroom * Further benefits include Gas Central Heating, Double Glazing and free parkin... More details ›
£375 pw
2 bedroom property to rent STEPHENSON STREET, LONDON. NW10 6TX
* TWO BEDROOMS * OPEN PLAN KITCHEN/LOUNGE* BATHROOM * GARDEN More details ›
£5,417 pcm
Light Industrial to rent Scrubs Lane, London, NW10
The premises comprise a modern mid-terraced Showroom/Warehouse/Offices arranged on ground and first floors with front pedestrian and rear loading access, with a prominent main road frontage to Scrubs Lane and being located just south of The Harrow Road. The glass fronted property was constructed ... More details ›
£507 pw
4 bedroom terraced house to rent Newark Crescent, North Acton, London
Dont miss out on this recently refurbished 4 bed house located close to Central Middlesex Hospital, ASDA , Harlesden and North Acton Stations.Accommodation comprises of four well-proportioned bedrooms, a large reception, a modern fitted kitchen and a bathroom with separate WC.The property benefit... More details ›
£496 pw
3 bedroom semi-detached house to rent Wells House Road, London
A charming three double bedroom semi detached period property, situated on a quiet residential road in East Acton. Available now ,this property is ideal for a boasts a spacious through reception room, galley kitchen, three large double bedrooms, and a private rear garden. East Acton (Central, Zo... More details ›
£358 pw
2 bedroom house to rent Stephenson Street, Willesden Junction NW10 6TX
Excellent two double bedroom house in Willesden Junction (Zone 2, Central Line)* Two double bedrooms* Spacious double reception room* Modern kitchen with intergrated appliances leading to patio rear garden* Fully tiled family bathroom suite* Extra WC and utility room* Well presented throughout, l... More details ›
£575 pw
4 bedroom terraced house to rent Waldo Road, Kensal Rise, London, Greater London, NW10
Beautiful large 3/4 bedroom property in the heart of Kensal Rise / Kensal Green, within minutes walk from overground and tube stations. Recently fully refurbished with brand new appliances, new energy efficient boiler, new bathroom, new carpets, fully double glazed and great sized garden. More details ›
Added on 26/10/2014 by UPAD, Nationwide. Call: 03332 401210 Local call rate
£2,000 pcm
3 bedroom house to rent Moyne Place, Harlesden, NW10 7EN
A lovely and spacious three bedroom semi-dettached house with plenty of light throughout. The flat is made up of three double bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living area and a beautiful garden. More details ›
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£803,275 pa
Warehouse to rent Unit B Premier Park Road, London, NW10 7NZ
The property is located within Premier Park, a MODERN & ESTABLISHED industrial / warehouse development within the heart of Park Royal with excellent access to the A406 North Circular Road (only 400m), the national motorway and CENTRAL LONDON. More details ›
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this hits too close to home!
this hits too close to home!
Yup I here you hon this is me also I am a stay at home mom again. And with 4 kiddos they keep me busy. Love them all and my sweetie I am with now. Love your blog I am starting out on my own blog. And enjoying sharing when I find time. Hoping to have more to add and share as I get my life back on track. Love ya hon and keep on blogging.
In addition to being a super talented music maker, my gal pal Brooke White is a … [Read More...]
I wrote a version of this post several years ago. I thought it would be fun to re-visit … [Read More...]
How to Curl Your Hair: Wavy Curls Wavy hair makes me happy. It means less blow drying, … [Read More...]
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Eclipse Day Florence 2013 Palazzo dei Congressi – May 10th 2013 Also this year a rich agenda, with many high-tech talks. Don't miss the EDF 2013 ! Agenda 8:30 REGISTRATION 9:10 Opening Session 9:20 Ralph Mueller KEYNOTE Free as in … Continue reading
Eclipse Day Florence 2013 Palazzo dei Congressi – May 10th 2013 Are you an enthusiast of Open Sourcetechnologies and innovation? Then you can not miss the EDF 2013. Participating is easy, simply register! Sessions Below are the sessions … Continue reading
Last week I had the chance for a unique and amazing experience: being co-trainer, side-by-side with Lars Vogel, for the first Eclipse 4 Training in Italy! It has been a five days of intensive and engaging learning time, alternating slides … Continue reading
CODEMOTION, THE EVET OPEN TO ALL LANGUAGES AND TECHNOLOGIES Codemotion is the event open to all languages and technologies. It is the result of the evolution of Javaday Roma, which after four years has become a meeting point for the … Continue reading
RCP Vision NEWS – Eclipse Day Florence: call for papers closing soon – Training: course agenda Eclipse Day Florence 2013 – Call for papers closing soon Do you have a story to tell related to the Eclipse technology? Come and … Continue reading
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Introduction With Eclipse 3.x we learned to appreciate the usefulness of splitting up an RCP application into modules (plug-ins). Each plug-in may contribute by adding new features, e.g. user interfaces, menu items, business services, etc… Including all, or a subset, … Continue reading
It's been a long time since Google contributed to Eclipse Community with tools like Window Builder. Furthermore Eclipse is the best Android IDE thanks to ADT plugin. And Now Google is going to join the Eclipse Community formally as a … Continue reading
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This year the main european event around Eclipse, the Eclipse Con Europe 2012, will co-locate the OSGi Community Event 2012. The location is the traditional Schlosspark Forum in Ludwigsburg (Germany) where the events will take place form 23th to 25th … Continue reading