Hundreds of CultureMap’s most fashionable fans flooded Tootsies for the first-ever Stylemaker Awards, produced in partnership with the Plaza at Preston Center. It was there the six finalists — Matt Alexander, David Goltl, Jenny Kirtland, Kevin Lavelle, Melissa Rountree and Maleiah Rogers — showed off their styling skills during a one-of-a-kind fashion show.
To start, guests — including Imran Sheikh, Daven Tezeno, Renee Zappa, Michael Vangeli, Kim Rozell, LeeAnne Locken, Nancy Koen and Kirsten Williams — mingled on the first floor of this chic hot spot to savor bites from Corner Bakery, Taco Diner, R&D Kitchen and Sprinkles and sip cocktails provided by Herradura Tequila and Woodford Reserve. They also posed for personalized sketches drawn by artist Benjamin Vincent and hammed it up with pals at the Longhorn Photo Booth. Did we mention the fall-inspired floral by Apples to Zinnias? Stunning.
Then it was time for attendees to take their seats for the fashion presentation, where CultureMap editor-in-chief Jennifer Chininis welcomed everyone and explained how the Stylemaker finalists had arrived at this point in their journey. It began with nominations from the public; from that initial group, 12 deserving semi-finalists were selected with the help of judges Cynthia Smoot of Oh So Cynthia, lady-about-town Yvonne Crum, FLUENT’s Jackson, and longtime local stylist and fashion writer Stephanie Quadri.
The public then voted in an online poll to choose the final six, and they voted again to determine the readers’ choice winner. But more on that in a minute.
For the party, the finalists were tasked with creating two looks, cocktail and Sunday brunch, with items pulled from Plaza stores. Each finalist explained their inspiration and selections before sending their models down the runway. Based on those looks — all of which appear in the slideshow above — the judges determined the editors’ choice winner. And oh what a difficult task that turned out to be.
While the judges deliberated, guests were treated to more on-trend fashions courtesy of Tootsies. In the end, the judges crowned Maleiah Rogers the 2014 Stylemaker editors’ choice winner for mixing pieces from Lublu Kira Plastinina and Tootsies to create looks reminiscent of old Hollywood glam. The Era Salon owner also did her models’ amazing ’dos.
But the awards didn’t stop there. Design Within Reach studio proprietor David Goltl — who boldly chose to style two women, including one plus-sized beauty, in menswear-inspired looks — received special honors for pulling pieces from the most Plaza stores, including Pockets, Mal Malouf, Riffraff, Tootsies, Occhiali Modern Optics and Bachendorf’s. Dave Perry-Miller Realtor Melissa Rountree proved the public was not wrong in selecting her as the readers’ choice winner: She showed an architectural black cocktail dress from Lublu and sassy purple-and-gray number complete with over-the-knee boots for brunch.
All the winners received shopping sprees to the Plaza at Preston Center.
Guests left the party with visions of fashions dancing in their heads and swag in their hands courtesy of Lucky Dog Barkery, J Mclaughlin, Celebrity Cruises, Matthew Trent, City + Sky, Eva Duplan Illustrations and much more. If you missed this soiree, you have another chance to party with us next week, at the CultureMap Social on October 22, 6-8 pm, 129 Leslie. You can buy tickets here.
Stylemaker finalists Matt Alexander, Jenny Kirtland, Maleiah Rogers, David Goltl, Melissa Rountree and Kevin Lavelle.
The chef from SER prepares activated charcoal-crusted Akaushi ribeye cap and Yukon Gold potato fondant.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Lavender berry and mocha chocolate tartlets from La Reve Gelato & Patisserie.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Awards ceremony host Cleo Greene, of NBC5's 'Texas Today.'Photo by Guillermo Rosas