Poleci, Versace, Linda Asaf and Alexandra King for Saturday's 2nd annual Runway to Heaven Charity Fashion Show at the Austonian

By MARQUES G. HARPER: STYLE & SUBSTANCE
of the Statesman
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'What does it take to be a major fashion designer these days?" I asked Jeffrey Chow on the phone (pictured right).

He didn't hesitate with his answer. Chow, no stranger to industry buzz, got Vogue editor Anna Wintour's stamp of approval seasons ago.

"It's a little bit harder than 20 or 30 years ago to do a brand," said Chow, who now designs the line Poleci. "You have to be much more show-show. It's much harder to do it from scratch. People are buying less, and (they are) more demanding about what goes into a garment and design. It's our job to give them a reason to buy."

Certainly, we learned the tough lessons of the fashion business from the revealing documentary "Valentino: The Last Emperor," and we know fashion designers and design houses have gone to great lengths during the recession to stay relevant and keep costs down while trying to make sure their voices are heard.

Perhaps that's one reason Chow and Poleci executive Jean Claude Huon will make an appearance in Austin this week for Saturday's Runway to Heaven Charity Fashion Show at the Austonian (200 Congress Ave.). Doors for the event open at 6:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Poleci will share the runway with Austin designer Linda Asaf, emerging designer Alexandra King and heavy-hitter Versace, which is going through its own shake-up during this economic decline. Hair and makeup for the show will be done by a team from the popular Australian-based Kevin Murphy. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Austin Children's Shelter and Dell Children's Medical Center.'

Looks from Poleci's Spring 2010 Line
Photos courtesy Luis Banuelos Arechiga

2nd Street District Holiday Give & Get

Every Friday afternoon in November, 2nd Street District businesses are rolling out the holiday cheer with the first-ever 2nd Street District Holiday Give & Get.

Come into participating 2ND Street District businesses any Friday afternoon in November from noon-5p.m. (free validated parking in City Hall).

Just $25 gets you special VIP savings, free gifts, a chance to win holiday spending money and the opportunity to support one of four much-loved Austin non-profits: Art Alliance Austin, Austin Dog Rescue, Bikes for Kids or Capital Area Food Bank. $20 goes directly to the charity of your choice and $5 will go toward a raffle including holiday spending money and hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to 2ND Street District businesses. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday, December 3—the night when most 2ND Street District businesses will officially celebrate the holidays with parties, trunk shows and other special events.