photography (before crop and filter) courtesy of Hari Mari

Hari Mari sandals, free drinks, clothing from soon-to-open TenOverSix and Original Octane, and live local music all in one scene? You can bet your sweet patootie all the cool kids will be at this warehouse party hosted by House of Plates. All kinds of good stuff is going down this Saturday: music by DJ Chriis  at 8 pm, a fashion show at 9 pm, and live tunes by Dallas-based Catamaran at 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Plus, the Hari Mari sandal collection will be out in full force and on display. Hari Maris have since been picked by Scoop NYC and are being seduced by a couple fashionable retail giants, so get on board while they’re still under the radar. See you Saturday.

What: Hari Mari & The Factory Show
Where: 2625 Main St.
When: Saturday, May 4, 8 pm to 11 pm
RSVP: free

Update: Catamaran is based in Dallas.

"Libra Bad," my favorite look (photography by Kurt Griesbach)

After Thursday’s finale, there is a Project Runway-sized hole in my heart. (Yes, I’ll admit I still watch it. I just can’t say no to Tim Gunn.)

So as a PR fan, you can imagine my excitement attending last Friday night’s third annual IIDA CRE8 Fashion Show, a real-life make-it-work moment. In case you’ve never heard of the event–and didn’t catch Thursday’s segment on D: The Broadcast–here’s the scoop: Participating local interior design groups are given eight days to design and create a couture garment out of architectural materials.

This year’s theme was the zodiac, and for each astrological sign, two looks walked the runway–one “good,” celebrating the sign’s positive traits, and one “bad,” reflecting their darker attributes. Bad may not be the best word though, because I thought all the supposedly evil designs looked unmistakably cool and chic. But I digress.

I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse backstage before the show, where I got to see some of the projects up close. I was totally blown away by the designers’ creative use of their materials. We’re talking entire dresses made out of vinyl wall covering and corsets covered in tile. One of my personal favorite looks, Libra Bad (see above), was constructed from carpet tiles and laser-cut Marmoleum, an all-natural flooring.

Ishi provided the soundtrack for the evening, playing their unique blend of folksy, electronica-inspired tunes. And let me tell you, the crowd loved it. Lead singer JT Mudd brought some serious dance moves as he shimmied up and down the runway in his spandex leggings and bejeweled marching band-esque hat. Even after the winning looks were announced and the models returned backstage, guests hung around the Granada for an extended performance from the local musicians.

Jessica Mitzner is a ShopTalk intern.

Ishi works the stage (photography by Kurt Griesbach)

A Emmanuel Tobias creation. (photo by Candace Moore)

The Pin Show is an annual event that features a flock of independent fashion designers and their wares. In this May issue, Krista Nightengale highlights the best in show: Mario Gallegos’ “Mario Alberto” collection of romantic cocktail and evening wear, Charlotte Elliot’s “Yomono” corset line, Isabel Varela’s “Izavel” womenswear collection inspired by menswear, Emmanuel Tobias’ avant-garde collection of gowns and headpieces, and Shona C. Gilbert’s “Shona” vintage-made-new jewelry line. Read it all here.

Our incredibly talented StyleSheet photographers will be on hand, ready to capture the magic of the show and the stylish candid moments of attendees. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a look at their world behind the lens.

Rihanna in the Jean Paul Gaultier cut-out jacket. (photography courtesy of Huffington Post)

Worn by Rihanna, the sexy-as-sin cutout jacket (right) designed by Jean Paul Gaultier has been donated to the lineup of smoking jackets that will be up for silent auction at DIFFA’s 2012 Collection event on Saturday, March 31. If you are looking for a good time, ignore the phone number on the back of the bathroom stall; buy yourself a DIFFA Collection ticket. You won’t be sorry.

A few fall 2012 looks from Izavel at the recent Pin Show. (photography by Duy Nguyen, courtesy of Izavel)

April’s Fashion’s Living Canvas event at the Hilton Anatole is a horse of the different color. Yes, it’s got the pleasant familiarities of other fashion affairs. You’ll admire the collections of local designers (six in total), enjoy emceeing personalities (on deck: LeeAnne Locken and Steve Kemble), munch on light hors d’oeuvres (courtesy of Hilton’s Media Grill + Bar), and sip on mandatory cocktails (bring cash!). But, as a twist on the usual, you’ll also watch models become art on the runway via live “radical” makeup and hair transformations. Check out clothing from Society Language by Prashi Shah, IZAVEL by Isabel Varela, Melancholic Design by Jesse Thaxton, and Danh Ta, and jewelry from Red-i by Chelsea Bond and Haute in Hong Kong by Becca Jett. Show begins at 8:30 pm and will be followed by a DJ for those who aren’t ready to leave.