When it comes to the world for fashion and luxury, there is no doubt that Ana Reign reigns supreme with her one-of-a-kind couture jewelry and impressive press book.

Originally from Russia, Ana Reign went to school and studied eastern medicine and healing work. After moving to Los Angeles, Ana, along with her son, began to create jewelry for fun. One day while at a coffee shop in Beverly Hills a women approached Ana and demanded that she must have Ana’s necklace. At the time Ana was not selling her jewelry, however, the woman insisted so Ana sold her jewelry right off her neck, creating what would soon become Ana Reign Designs.

Ana Reign Designs is an artisan boutique design company that creates dynamic jewelry that transcends fashion and art. With unique hand selected semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, and 1920’s vintage brooches, jewelry designer, Ana Reign, creates one of a kind museum quality pieces that defy time.

Her jewelry is a juxtaposition of romantic elements of Czarist Russian beauty and modern art. Since 2003 her eclectic mix of visionary art has sensationalized the fashion industry worldwide. Her designs have been seen all over the fashion capitals of the world, and her work has adorned celebrities, socialites, the fashion oriented and the elite. Her visionary “Rock Star” jewelry lines have been photographed on Fergie, Alica Keys, Shakira, Lauren Hill, India Ari (on Oprah), Paris Hilton, and Raven Simone (on Oprah).

After living in Russia, Los Angeles, and New York, Ana decided to relocate to Austin where her sister was living. Ana had lived in Austin previously about twelve years ago and owned a night club on 6th street.

“The city has grown, its changed a lot since I lived here” admits Ana. “The best part of being back in Austin is that I get to escape all the craziness of Los Angeles and New York. I was getting so tired of all the red carpet events, I just needed to get away and focus on my jewelry, so I decided one night to pack up and move to Austin. I wanted to spend my days by the lake doing yoga.” says Ana. Although Ana Reign is now based in Austin TX, she’s still able to maintain a good base of clientele in New York and Los Angles.

We picked Ana Reign as one of LUXE Picks: Top 5 Austin Designers because of her attention to detail and standard of quality that she puts into designing her jewelry. All of Ana’s pieces are hand made, nothing is mass produced, and nothing is replicated. Her jewelry is elegant, stylish, and bold. She is not afraid of creating over the top pieces. Her jewelry is a statement piece for the fashion elite.

Photograph by: NRG Pictures

Like Ana Reign Designs on Facebook, follow her on twitter or to schedule your private viewing of Ana Reign Jewelry email info@luxeprandpromotions.com.

When it comes to Austin fashion designers, there is no doubt that Jessica Ciarla of CIARLA Bride is one to be considered for LUXE Picks: Top 5 Austin Designers. We interviewed Jessica at her design studio on east 5th street where she was hard at work filling orders and finishing her new collection.

Jessica received her fashion design certificate from Parsons School of Design in New York City, she then pursued and completed the masters program in fashion design at Polimoda Internation Institute of Design and Marketing located in Florence, Italy. She spent several years in the fashion industry working in fashion PR, writing and editing, styling, blogging, and then eventually began working in design. Her strong fashion education and background has definitely contributed to her success.

Jessica Ciarla began CIARLA Bride in 2009, and since then her career has flourished. Jessica designs collections and each piece can then be ordered in any color or size. Jessica also designs custom cocktail dress and couture pieces. Her design style is glamourous and flirty, great for fun cocktail dresses. Jessica pulls inspiration from vintage classics of the 1950′s and 1960′s, different architecture, art, and the modern city girl. Her favorite designers are Balenciaga, Dior, Erin Fetherston.

We asked Jessica what the best part of being an Austin based fashion designer was. She told us, ”Being in Austin was great for starting my business. I knew that I didn’t want to live in New York City, but I love traveling. Ever so often I just need to get away and regain some inspiration and energy from New York City.” One of Jessica’s favorite moments as a fashion designer was when she saw her first major press mention in Vogue Japan. She was was honored to be featured in such a huge publication. Jessica’s favorite part of being a designer is being her own boss. Some of Jessica’s goals this year for her business are to launch her new Ready-To-Wear collection, continue the success of her CIARLA Bride line, and design more couture wedding gowns.

We selected Jessica Ciarla as one of LUXE Picks: Top 5 Austin Designers because her pieces have redefined the meaning of bridal wear, and have brought an element of fashion to an industry that is based on tradition. Her designs are classic, modern, fun, flirty pieces that can outlast any function. She is one of Austin’s most talented and well educated fashion designers.

Jessica’s pieces are sold across the nation at Bella Bridesmaids. View the CIARLA website here, and like her on facebook.

When it comes to ready-to-wear fashion designers in Austin, there are very few to mention that show an exceptional amount of talent in both design and style. One of the first designers that came to mind was none other than Ross Bennett, women’s custom tailor, designer and creator of The Ross Bennett Collection.

Ross originally studied law at the University of Texas, after realizing that law was not his calling Ross took a chance and enrolled in an entry level fashion class. Ross studied and graduated with a degree in fashion design from The University of Texas.

Ross is as every bit dapper as they come in Austin. His style has become somewhat signature. He began wearing ties and suites at such an early age in his life. Originally from Dallas, Ross got his first taste of the fashion industry as a model.

Ross started The Ross Bennett collection in 2008. Inspired by and dedicated to UT professor Ardis Rewerts, Ross’s first collection featured gore-tex evening gowns. The idea was to create water proof evening wear. His collection was selected to take part in an art installation and it was an instant success.

Photos by Ed Lehman

After the success of his first collection, Ross began to design and establish his clientele base in Dallas. In 2009, Ross entered and placed 3rd in the Texas Next Top Designer competition. Now based in Austin, Ross is working very hard establishing his brand and a good base of clientele. “Austin has been great, the people here are very supportive of each other, my biggest challenge has been finding an appropriate outlet to show and sale my pieces. ” Ross Bennett.

Ross is inspired by the art of 1940′s and 1950′s couture designers. His goal is to bring back the art of custom tailoring to fashion design. In an effort to establish Austin as a buying market for the fashion industry, Ross, along with others will be hosting the First Annual Austin Threads Exclusive fashion show Sunday April 3rd, at the Hilton downtown. Tickets are still available for this event.

We picked Ross Bennett as one of LUXE Picks: Top 5 Austin Designers because of his attention to detail and the artistry that is involved in creating each and every one of his pieces. We have known Ross for almost a year, and we have personally seen him design and create quality custom pieces for his clients. His work is classic while being stylish and modern. Ross Bennett is helping move the Austin fashion industry forward by practicing the classic and traditional methods of couture dress making.

To view and shop his collection you can visit his studio at Cypress Vanguard located at 606 East 3rd Street, or like Ross on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, or visit his website.

The Driskill Hotel is one of Austin’s most prestigious treasures. The style is classic, iconic and very romantic. It was the perfect place to meet up with one of Austin’s very own hidden treasures, milliner Lana Chu, designer of Lana Chu Collection.

Millinery is the art and trade of making women’s hats, and there is no doubt that Lana Chu is a true artist.

Lana Chu, Couture Milliner, majored in Art at the University of Houston. With no traditional education for fashion design, Lana has been designing custom made bridal and cocktail hats for over a year. Lana is a self taught milliner, she has traveled all over the world and always makes it a point to visit and learn from a local milliner. Lana’s hats are custom and made by hand. Her floral accessories are sometimes hand painted and imported from Paris. She has no rules, but make it look fabulous.

Lana has lived in Austin for almost 2 years. We asked Lana, what the best part about being an Austin based fashion designer is, “Austin is great, I love it here, the people here are very supportive of the industry.” Lana hopes to soon have her own studio and hopes that she can get more people in Austin into wearing hats. “My hats are great for cocktail occasions, they are a little more of a high fashion accessary than Austin is used to.” Lana’s long term goal is to move to paris, drink coffee, live as a milliner and make fabulous hats.

For Lana, designing hats is all about having fun, being creative and designing something fabulous. We selected Lana Chu as one of LUXE Picks: Top 5 Austin Designers because she is practicing the trade of a lost art, millinery. Her hats are stylish, chic, creative, unique; appropriate for a night out with the girls, the wedding of your dreams, or just an evening of sipping on drinks at The Driskill Hotel.

You can purchase Lana Chu hats at Bella Bridesmaid or by scheduling an appointment. You can view Lana’s website here, or like Lana on Facebook.

Sitting with Micah Yancey chatting at the W Hotel in Austin feels like we’ve been chatting with a friend that we have had for years. She is friendly, enjoyable, and genuine, and those same qualities of hers transcend into her jewelry. She is the designer of BonBon by Micah Yancey.

Launched in 2006, Micah creates every piece of BonBon jewelry at her home studio, and maintains a high level of uniqueness in each piece. Her new spring and summer collection is bright, juicy, colorful and playful. BonBon jewelry is that perfect every day jewelry, they are the “go-to” pieces that are easy to mix and match with different outfits, and always add a special element to your look. Each piece is unique, refined, and polished.

We were curious about a day in the life of a full time jewelry designer. Micah shared with us that she begins her day like most of us, checking face book and twitter, doing research about what is happening in Austin. “Every day is different, and every day is busy” Micah. Micah is involved in every aspect of of her business, from taking orders, to constructing the jewelry, and even managing her own PR and marketing.

We asked Micah how she felt about the Austin fashion scene and how it has been for her starting her business,  “Austin has been very incredible and supportive, Austin has its own style which is different than the larger cities, however it has a strong spirit of individualism and character” Micah.

Her goals for this year are to create a bridal collection, expand the amount of stores that carry her line, and to update her website.

We selected BonBon by Micah Yancey as one of LUXE Picks Top 5 Austin designers because of her design style and personal touch to her business. Her pieces are unique, chic, and fun. Her sales approach is personal and genuine. Talking with Micah you can really get a sense of the passion that is behind her brand.

You can find BonBon by Micha Yancey, at Touch of Sass,  Sanctuary, Dress Shop Austin, Schatzelein, Hippie Cowgirl, Cahoots Handbags, and Game Day Cloth in Plano.

You can view the BonBon website here, like her on facebook, follow her on twitter, or make it over to her etsy page to purchase your own pair of BonBon’s.

The Academy Awards hosted their 83^rd annual Oscars on Sunday night, while right here in Austin TX, aGLIFF hosted their 2^nd Annual Red Carpet Gala at at The Driskill Hotel.

Its was Natalie Portman and Colin Firth who were the big winners at the Oscars, however right here in Austin TX, aGLIFF rolled out the red carpet for some of Austin’s finest.

The event began with a cocktail mix and mingle hour in the hotels lobby. Guests walked the red carpet in style while having their picture taken by photographers and being interviewed by our lovely host for the night, Rebecca Havameyer.

The fashions for the night reached highs, lows and everyone in between. I saw jeans, dresses, suits and tuxes. Although some people showed up in casual dress, and others in complete costume, most of the guests dressed to impress and ready to walk the red carpet.

As we took to our seats and salads were served, Rebecca greeted us with a grand introduction by having her male escorts remove their shirts. She wanted us to “get more comfortable…” Nothing says Oscars like two shirtless men, right? Either way I thought it was a great act to set the mood of the event, it allowed everyone to relax, drink, and have some fun. Emcees for the night Rebecca Havamayer and YNN’s very own Rich Segal kept the energy going and the crowd entertained during commercial break.

The Victorian Room was the perfect space to host this event. The room’s dramatic decor and grand stair case was the perfect prop to help set the nights style, as well as allowing it to fell intimate enough to be watching the Oscars with close friends.

The Driskill did a fantastic job hosting this event. Their service was prompt, professional and effortless. Their Chef served up a 3 course meal that included a Bouquet Salad, Braised Texas Shortribs, and their famous 1886 Chocolate Cake.

The open bar was a huge hit with everyone. aGLIFF really knows how to take care of their guess!

Overall the evening was wonderful, we were so thrilled that some many people came out to support aGLIFF and all that they do for the community. This event was a great success and I look forward to next years aGLIFF Red Carpet Gala.

Today we celebrate and pay homage to one of Americas’ greatest fashion designers, Michael Kors.

His latest collection for Fall 2011 debuted during New York Fashion Week and it marked his 30th anniversary as a Fashion Designer. I waited in much anticipation to view the live stream of his newest collection, and the wait was worth it!

Over the years, Michael Kors has become one of my favorite designers. His style is sophisticated, sexy, and chic. Michael Kors has the ability to stay progressive and stylish without loosing his sense of the classic elements that are essential to fashion. His attention to detail and shape have made him a favorite among women.

First off I have to give compliments to the element of simplicity in this show. I am so tired of seeing crazy hair and makeup on the runway. It just doesn’t make since, and its so 5 years ago. Lets get back to basics. Not only was the hair and makeup very simple but I also felt that the collection in its entirely was very simple in style, color, shapes and silhouettes.

The dresses in the collection had a mix of halter top necklines, racerback and thigh high slits. The draping was perfection.

Michael Kors has truly establish himself as one of the best in the business. I can’t wait to see what he does next. Happy 30th Michael Kors.

To view the complete collection click here!