Dress to Impress

8 reasons every Dallas trendsetter should attend the Stylemaker Awards reveal party

Guest at Dallas Stylemaker 2016 Reveal Party

Benefit will set up a cosmetics bar that allows guests to try makeup looks from different decades.

Photo by WJNPHOTO

It's almost time to celebrate the most fashionable women and men in Dallas in high style. On October 26, we will honor the six finalists at the fourth annual CultureMap Stylemaker Awards reveal party at Tootsies, and we hope you'll join us.

But, what do you wear to such a fashion-forward fete? Here are some details about the party to help you plan.

Themed "Defining Decades of Style," the party will celebrate style icons of the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s — Twiggy, Cher, Prince, and Kate Moss. Party-goers are encouraged to dress for whichever of those decades speaks to their soul. Think Bond Girl fierce, rock 'n' roll rad, Madonna fabulous, Carrie Bradshaw chic, or Clueless cute. (It is not a Halloween costume party, however, so please leave your Austin Powers-replica Mr. Bigglesworth doll at home.)

Then come ready to walk the red carpet, sip signature cocktails, belly up to a cosmetics bar, mug for a photo booth, and more. Without revealing too many panache party details, here are a few highlights we can tease:

Eats and drinks: Plaza restaurants will pass out tasty bites and noshes, while four different bars, "dressed" with each of the four style icons, will mix signature cocktails from each decade. Whether you're into Mad Men-era dirty martinis or fizzy '90s champagne cocktails, you won't go thirsty.

Benefit Cosmetics Bar: Try out makeup trends that correspond with the decades; for example, bold wings and mascara from the '60s or shimmery eye shadow and nude lips from the '90s.

Smilebooth Photos: At this cool photo booth, guests will take photos and animated GIFs with different filters for each decade and share them via social media or print out their photo strips as keepsakes.

The Truth Booth: Think you're chic? We'll tell you the truth in this fun interactive experience. Get ready to take your wardrobe to the next level.

Swoozies and Partners Card: Swoozies will set up a pop-up shop full of fun gifts, themed home decor, stationery, and more. They also will provide an incentive for anyone who purchases a Partners Card that evening. Proceeds from the reveal party will benefit The Family Place's Partners Card program.

Tootsies Iconic Fashions: The retail host for the evening will outfit four mannequins to represent one look from each decade.

Memorable music: DJ Blake Ward will spin the hottest tunes through the decades ... The Police, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, The Cure, Ace of Base, No Doubt, and yes, The Spice Girls will be part of the dance party.

The main event: It all culminates with our Stylemakers finalists' style challenge. They will create full looks with clothing and accessories pulled from retailers at The Plaza, our Stylemaker Awards partner. The looks will be evaluated by our panel of five fabulous judges: fashion designer Nardos Imam, reality TV personality and entrepreneur Catherine Lowe, philanthropist and executive Lynn McBee, celebrity stylist J. Bolin, and 2016 Stylemaker Awards readers' choice winner Chris Hite.

Party-goers will get the chance to mingle with the judges and finalists throughout the night. Read more about the finalists here. The readers' choice winner will be crowned at the party, along with the judges' choice for ultimate Stylemaker.

stylemakers

RETAIL WATCH

Texas AG Ken Paxton opens investigation into fast-fashion giant Shein

Photo courtesy of SHEIN

Shein is now under investigation from the Texas Attorney General.

Critics of fast fashion have found a strange bedfellow in Ken Paxton. The Texas Attorney General announced December 1 he would investigate online retailer Shein for alleged unethical labor practices and unsafe consumer products.

According to a release from Paxton’s office, the inquiry aims to find out if Shein’s “supply chain and manufacturing practices violate Texas law by using toxic or hazardous materials, misleading consumers about product safety, and misleading consumers about ethical sourcing.” The probe will also look into the corporation’s data collection and privacy practices.

In a statement, Paxton put a partisan spin on the investigation.

“Safe, non-toxic material and products are another key ingredient to [Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s] Make America Healthy Again movement,” said Paxton in the release. “Any company that cuts corners on labor standards or product safety, especially those operating in foreign nations like China, will be held accountable.”

Paxton’s move unexpectedly aligns the AG with environmental watchdogs. Nonprofit Yale Climate Connections has long sounded the alarm about the Singapore-based e-tailer, calling it one of the world’s biggest polluters. Paxton has long railed against climate change regulations and sued the Biden administration several times to block emissions rules.

The investigation is part of a larger Republican crackdown on Chinese consumer products. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are debating new restrictions on Shenzhen-based aerial drone maker DJI, and Senator Tom Cotton has called for investigations of “Communist Chinese” companies Shein and Temu. The September Texas vape ban specifically banned disposable e-cigarettes manufactured in the country.

In a statement emailed to multiple media outlets, Shein said it would comply with Paxton’s investigation.

“Shein takes these concerns seriously and is fully committed to cooperating,” a spokesperson said. “Our mission — to provide affordable, fashionable products to customers around the world — is underpinned by a dedication to safety, compliance, and respect for human rights.”

The controversy will likely have little effect on Shein’s popularity with Zoomers. The company snagged an estimated $38 billion in sales in 2024 and has an average of 24.7 million active app users each month.

fast fashion texas news investigations politics apparel shopping retail fashion shein