Can’t Miss: Snake Oil/Factory Girl Launch on Saturday

Snake Oil/Factory Girl looks (photography, cropped, by Scogin Mayo)

Factory Girl just got cooler. The vintage shop, owned by husband and wife duo, photographer Scogin Mayo and stylist Heather Mayo, have upped their art game again. In addition to the racks of vintage designer gems, rotating art exhibits, and updated online store with Mayo’s beautiful photography, the team has partnered with local, multi-media artist Lizzy Wetzel. The multimedium artist produces a collection of “small hand made totems“ under the name, Snake Oil, a line of  felt sculptures and hand-dyed garments. The collaboration with Factory Girl introduces new hand-dyed tees, tunics, dresses, and kaftans in silk, bamboo, and cotton jersey, ranging from $75 to $450.

According to a press release, the color palette is influenced by the West Texas landscape, as Wetzel says she’s currently dyeing the collection in Marfa, where the desert colors lend a hand for inspiration.

The line hits the store floor at Factory Girl for the first time on Saturday, April 27 during the trunk show, where you’ll find 30-40 of the new, one-of-a-kind pieces displayed. (More will be available by order.) Both shop owners and Wetzle will be on hand to present the new line, and sangria will be served. Valet will be provided out front.

Where: Factory Girl
When: Saturday, April 27, noon to 6 pm

Dallas’ ShopSeptember Online Boutique Offers Two Shops in One

Laura Petter, Fashion Institute and Design and Merchandising grad and Lakewood dweller, launched this new dual-personality online boutique named for the most exciting month in fashion. Shop The Showroom side for “hard-to-find fashions by rising star designers” or head over to The Street to find affordable, trend-heavy pieces. The Showroom currently houses a Julie Michel asymmetrical watercolor print top, Love, Zooey leather panel pencil skirt, and cheeky Bidbi canvas totes (all under $300). Each item offers a short bio on its up-and-coming designer. The Street is currently peddling lots of green (St. Patrick’s Day, perhaps?), a lace cut-out mint high-low dress, a colorblock bustier, and a cross print kimono, all under $100. Via press release, Peter says, “In LA, I was surrounded by so many undiscovered fashion-forward designers that were talented and had a great eye for style, so I started creating a list of my favorites. ShopSeptember is my fashion designer diary.”  As for favorite ShopSeptember journal entries as of late: I’ll take this cozy Phoebe long-sleeve top from The Showroom and this girly, sunshine yellow lace panel dress from The Street.

More Local Goodness: GAIA Print Zipper Pouches

photography courtesy of Gaia

Yesterday I was chit chatting with Brittany Cobb (interior designer, founder of The Dallas Flea, Dallas editor of Daily Candy) for a future D Moms story and she let loose her can’t-live-without cosmetics organizer: GAIA zipper pouches. I’ve heard about this local line of fabric accessories, handcrafted by female refugees, but it has been a while since I shopped the site. The current prints nearly put me in the mood for spring (I still need a little time). Vintage floral prints are so fresh against this week’s dreary weather. Sizes range from small to large ($36 to $52) and can be found at retailers like Neiman Marcus, Forty Five Ten, and Cabana.

7 Cool Dallas People Making Very Cool Things

Brandy Evan's updated (and cruelty-free) taxidermy sculptures (photography by Elizabeth Lavin)

From Elizabeth Anyaa’s handmade fabrics to Tony Barsotti’s LED gun lamps (on my wish list), D Home’s latest issue captured a handful of seriously talented craftsmen. Check it out.

Pencil This In: Sussie’s Annual Holiday Bash

The holidays are here, which means cooler weather, lots of shopping for those on your nice list, and hopefully a holiday party or two. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a gift, you should add Sussie’s Annual Holiday Bash to your list of places to stop for a few reasons:

1. The clothing includes some of our favorite lines, like Milly, Haute Hippie, Trina Turk.
2. The in-house shoe boutique, El’s Stilettos.
3. Sussie’s owner Rory Boyd just told me that purchases will be tax free all day.
4. Every $50 you spend, you’ll get you an entry into their raffle, where you could win prizes like a handbag, coat, or Sussie’s gift card.

Need another reason to stop by Sussie’s next Thursday? They will be serving up light bites cocktails all day long.

Margaux Anbouba is a ShopTalk intern.

ShopTalk is Now a DIY Blog

via @cirquedusweet on Instagram

Just kidding. But I seriously love that Cirque du Sweet took a little inspiration from yesterday’s sticker printout suggestion and made this awesome “I voted” badge.

Support Local, Buy This Killer Quartz Spike Necklace

photography courtesy of Elle Studio

Over the weekend, we stumbled upon a local art festival in the Design District. Apparently, it was the Rendezvous with Fire and Art! fair. (I think they need to do a little PR work next time–not much of a crowd.) In any case, I wandered into the tent of local artist Elle Schuster and fell in love with a spiky “arrow” quartz crystal necklace. I regret not snapping a photo, but her “spear” version (see above) is pretty similar. As it turns out, Elle’s a multiplatform artist, too. Photographer, photo illustrator, and photo sculptor are a few of the hats she wears, so it’s no surprise her necklaces resemble wearable sculptures. Find a selection of her jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art Gift Shop and the Meadows Museum Shop and her one-of-kind pieces online at Elle Studio.

Liked! 6 Favorite Stylish Instagrammers of the Morning

I’m an Instagram-a-holic. I don’t do it at dinner tables (unless there’s an amazing dessert!) or in the middle of chatting with friends (unless they’re wearing killer shoes!) or into the wee hours of the night (unless I can’t sleep). My boyfriend thinks it’s a bit annoying. But whatever. It indulges our voyeuristic sides and accepts our slightly narcissistic tendencies, so what’s not to like? You won’t catch me posting daily photos of myself making kissy faces in the mirror (except for this morning’s dark lip photo), but I love posting my pets, my (successful) recipes, and other pretty photogenic moments. And there is some seriously stylish stuff happening on Instagram. You can follow designers, fashion bloggers, and celebs and get a more personal peek into their world. By just 11 am, all of this was happening on the Instagrams of Dallas fashion mavens:

1. @officeofangelascott, Dallas-based shoe designer
2. @lela_rose, Dallas native fashion designer
3. @ninistyle, Dallas personal stylist
4. @lifeintravel, Dallas fashion blogger
5. @shopfiveandten, Highland Park Village boutique
6. @myvioletheart (that’s me) pointing out @margauxanbouba’s cool Villy Customs bicycle

You Need a Statement Clutch from Dallas Designer Jacque M.

From top: Color Blocked Clutch, Leather Spiked Out Clutch, Handcrafted Leather Spiked Clutch, and Embossed Croc Clutch (photos courtesy of Jacque M.)

I noticed Jacque Martin at a fall fashion event with two of her girlfriends. They looked like a fierce trio with their basic black ensembles and colorful handbags. (Not matchy-matchy like the Olsen twins circa 1995, but like Charlie’s Angels with clutches instead of weapons.) When Jacque handed me her card, it all fell into place. She was a handbag designer and each lady was carrying one. Since that party, her brand, Jacque M., has launched its online shop. Now you can easily get your hands on one of her colorful creations. Moderately priced between $190 and $395, the collection’s highlights include an embossed croc clutch, organic shaped clutches with spikes, a classic leather tote, and what I suspect is a favorite of Jacque’s: the Glam Leather, Feather, and Crystal clutch. Shop them all here.

Garance Doré Hearts Amber Venz

photo courtesy of www.garancedore.fr

Check out Dallas jewelry designer Amber Venz’ cameo on Garance Doré’s blog. Then read what shopping intern Mary Holbrook took away from the Garance Doré lecture at SMU.

A few things on Amber’s love list: V.O.D., The Crescent Spa, and fried bacon at the State Fair.

See all what else makes the list here.

Hang On To Your Hat: Debut BLKLN Menswear Collection Includes Tanks, Silver Denim, Sequins

Head to any cool fashion event in town, and you’ll probably see Jim Duran. He’s the guy in the head-turning outfit. It could be a perfectly tailored jacket with his slicked back locks, a wildly printed tee, or even a drapy, sheer shirt with an exposed midriff. He’s also sporting some sort of fashion statement, which is why it comes as no surprise he’s decided to launch his own menswear collection. Called BLKLN Clothing (pronounced “black line”), the collection is full of “creatively tailored shirts, trousers and other essential wardrobe staples for me.” That’s according to the press release. Emphasis on “creatively tailored.” During a media sneak peek, I discovered slender lines, a variety of textures, a glam rock-and-roll vibe, and a generous dash of dazzle. Key pieces include shiny silver cargo pocket denim; a vest with black patent, subtle houndstooth print, and a hood; long, low-neck tanks; leggings; slim fit pants; black tees with sequin panels; and even a floor-length tank (/maxi dress). The collection is edgy and androgynous, and I would personally wear most of it. But will Dallas dudes? Duran says the goal is to give Dallas guys an alternative set of fashion-forward threads. Read my Q&A with Jim below and click here to attend the (free) November 13 debut event at DISH and see all 15 looks.

Me: How do you feel men in dallas will react?

Jim: I think the style here in Dallas for men is pretty formulaic and they seem to adopt a uniform. What I did in launching here in Dallas is give an alternative perspective to those fashion forward thinkers. I’m not saying I’m here to change the Dallas fashion scene. I just want to give them a different option.

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Best of the Dallas Bazaar

EcoArmoire embellished tees

We told you to check out the Indie Genius Urban Bazaar over the weekend, but in case you didn’t, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite finds.

Cherry’s Bad Ass Boutique: It’s full of all kinds of weird odds and ends. Cool things–like handbags, coin purses, and colorful vintage pumps–and the obligatory junk. I bought two mini lampshades for $2.

Malachite earrings by Freeforged

Victrola Design: Illustrator Victoria Corbett stamps clothing, pillows, and accessories with her nature inspired designs. I was particularly taken with the tree-themed satin pillows.

By the Grace of Tea: This tea company lured shoppers in with samples of the holiday FestiviTEA blend spiked with wintery spiced cranberry and citrus notes. I bought a bag.

Freeforged Jewelry: Metalsmith Kristin Freeman puts together dainty-but-earthy jewels that are refreshingly perfect for everyday wear. I dig the colorful stone stud earrings and simple and stackable rings.

EcoArmoire: Owner Melissa Hoover tackles old gaudy dresses and costumes, salvages the interesting bits, and reuses them in new ways, like for embellishment on basic organic tees. I saw a white tee with big purple fabric bow, a dark tee with sparkly shoulder ornamentation, and baby onesies with ties.

Tall Ladies, Relax. No Hemming Needed on This Clothing Line

If your skirts are always too short, and your jeans never long enough, this local line is for you. Lameka Weeks, owner of Dallas based clothing brand Height Goddess, peddles apparel for ladies with legs for days and super model stature. Jeans come in bright colors, a variety of styles, and inseam lengths from 35 to 38 inches. I love this simple black maxi dress, a dress style I likely take for granted at my very average 5-foot-five-inch height.

Nha Khanh Fall 2012 Now at Stanley Korshak

photography courtesy of Nha Khanh

I’ve stopped working so that I can continue to examine, swoon, and sigh over the fall collection of local designer Nha Khanh. The ladylike-meets-industrial vibe, the sheer sleeves, leather details, tailoring… I just can’t concentrate on anything else.

I bet it’s even more delicious in person, so perhaps I’ll head to Stanley Korshak, where it all lives for the season.

The Office of Angela Scott Boutique Opens in Victory Park

Fall 2012's Miss Quimby boot, $750 (photography by Robert Robertson)

The Office of Angela Scott local shoe line is finally opening a storefront. Luckily, although designer Angela Scott has made it big, with her hand-crafted footwear featured in Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, and Teen Vogue, it’s in Dallas. Next to V.O.D. in Victory Park to be exact.

Scott’s bench-made, cobbler-stitched footwear collection is inspired by her grandfather’s tailored suits and and bespoke shoes. You can see it reflected in her androgynous oxfords, saddle shoes, and booties with sexy details like wedge heels last fall, colorful cap toes for spring, and lace-up and fur-trimmed details this season. (Like the Miss Quimby boot above.) Check out the newest collection and visit her storefront on Friday for champagne and shoe shopping during the soft opening.

Where: The Office of Angela Scott
When: Friday, September 21, 4 pm to 6 pm