Downloaded - The Austin Chronicle

THE ARTS styleHOBNOBBINGOne of those lovely Paperless Postemail invitations landed in my inbox recently,but I didn’t know who it was from. I notedthat the party was near Enfield, and thatimmediately made me think of my dearfriend Stephen Rice who also lives nearthere. So I forwarded the invite to Stephen,who responded immediately, telling me theparty was for Gary Schumann, president ofthe Austin LGBT Bar Association, whowas turning 50. Embarrassingly (and asusual), I had no clue whether I’d ever metGary before, but the location on its own toldme that it would be a pretty swank party.Jacki Oh and I dressed to kill, of course,and arrived very fashionably late, but theparty was still swinging. The house itselfwas faaabulous. Formerly the servant’squarters for the Pease mansion, Gary’shouse had been essentially stripped of itsfurniture, and the rooms reimagined as artgalleries, conversation nooks, a speakeasycalled Tiny’s (which was indeed tiny andlocated down this labyrinthine stairway inthe basement), and yes, even acomplete disco with a great DJfrom Dallas, lasers, fogmachines, and lot of camaraderie.Even I was luredonto the dance floor.Me? Dancing? Well, Imust admit that beingas thin as I want andhaving fabulous eveningwearfrom my own collection,I have been nolonger afraid to dance.But between you and me,I’ve actually let loose on thedance floor three times in recentmemory, so something has come overme lately. Gary’s friends Noel Landuyt andKeith Schumann threw the party and20%OFFALL SERVICESTHROUGH 1/31/13by stePHeNAFTER AFASHIONMACMIllANMOseRknocked it out of the ballpark. Good work,boys! And, uh, do keep me on your invite list!MERRY … MARTINISReady to break your New Year’s resolutionabout “moderation?” Well, then do it for agreat cause. On Friday, Jan. 25, 7pm, at 400Congress, Equality Texas presents its annualthree-sheets-to-the-wind Merry MerryMartini Mixer (www.merrymartinimixer.org),with this year’s theme being Rock theCasbah. This very well-attended event is inits ninth year (have I been to all of them?)and raises money for Equality Texas to continueto bring a LGBT voice to the Texas legislature.In the past, Equality Texas was victoriousin getting hate crimes and anti-bullyinglegislation in Texas. The agenda for 2013includes a fight for employment non-discriminationand fair adoption practices. So whilethese subjects weigh heavily on our minds, ajoyous get-together should definitely be onyour list. Martinis, anyone?DESIGN WHINEI’m so confused about what to do withmy clothing design work. I’d laidpretty low since my fashionshow in November; frankly Iwas unprepared for the successof it. I was trulyblown away by it all. Notthat I don’t like attention,but it’s easier for me toaccept the attention fromwriting and dressing in anover-the-top fashion.Attention for something forwhich I’d reached deepinside and manifested is a differentmatter entirely. It was thrilling,yes – but also unsettling, since I’ddecided long ago that I didn’t want to returnto that part of my life. Since I am living nowWrite to our Style Avatar with your related events, news, and hautey bits: style@austinchronicle.com or PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765.CNNHAIR TEAMS A L O NWalk-Ins Welcome!(512) 300-0972Mon-Sat 10a-7pnowHIRINGstylists7020 Easy Wind Dr., Ste. 110In Midtown Commons near Crestview Rail Station32 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E JANUARY 18, 2013 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o mPHOTO BY DARKFLAME STUDIOSS e a b r o o k j o n e SIf you think Javelina is just another bar, then you should try it on Valentine’s Day. More to come.and no longer simply waiting to die, I have somany options of which direction to go. Do Iwant to go to the MAGIC trade show in LasVegas and follow that with LA FashionWeek? Or do I want to cater to a swankshopping emporium that is so interested inme? I’ll be dressing the models for the Wine& Food Foundation’s big event, so that’ll befun. DIFFA (Design Industries FoundationFighting AIDS) in Dallas puts on a huge eventevery year, and I’ve been asked to show.DIFFA rarely reaches out to designers beyondDallas, New York, or LA. One of my dressessold on Christmas Eve for $3,400.Unfortunately, the money does not go to me,but wow, was I shocked and thrilled or what?FORBIDDEN FRUITGo to the HEADof the ClassORAL ENHANCERS, FLAVORED OILS,EROTIC EDUCATION BOOKS,DVDS AND MORE!Class is Back in Session!1/27: Ladies Only - Blow Him Away - Fellatio 1012/3: FREE Boudoir Pix w/purchase2/10: Burlesque for the bedroomWWW.FORBIDDENFRUIT.COM108 E. NORTH LOOP BLVD. • 453-8090IMPROVING INTIMACY SINCE 1981!So, yes, it’s all a bit unsettling for someonewho was preparing to push up daisies just ayear ago. But now, it seems like “everything’scoming up roses and daffodils.” I just don’tknow what to do with them.Need a Valentinefor your Lover?Or has Mr. Rightfound another?Toys for youtoys for shetoys for hetoys for we6800 Burnet Rd.512-772-1614QToysAustin.com