Our very own Lance Avery Morgan has been appointed to the 2013 DIFFA Dallas Style Council. He was recently seen in FDLuxe magazine in this two-page spread…

High-End Brands Expand, and Austin Gets a Make-Over... as Brilliant's Lance Avery Morgan weighs in...

COVER STORY: GET UP, DRESS UP, SHOW UP

Lance Avery Morgan has a few strict rules for living well.

BY DOROTHY HARRIGAN Photography by Michael Thad Carter

For Lance Avery Morgan, presentation is everything. As a child, he was often reminded by his impeccably dressed mother, Carolyn Montgomery, to always be presentable and prepared to receive a guest. During our interview, Morgan talked about a few boyhood photos that really tell the story. “Have you ever seen a six-year-old child in a white dinner jacket?” he said with a boisterous laugh.

If you haven’t heard of Morgan, you may need to check your standing among the society set in Austin, Dallas or Houston. He is the co-founder and former editorial director of Brilliant magazine, as well as the former editor of The Elegant Texan, Verve, Cigar Lifestyles and Austin Monthly. His current editorial passion is The Society Diaries, a magazine and media platform that, in his words, focuses on the dynamic region of Austin, San Antonio, South Texas and Mexico. He also keeps very busy with his social philanthropy. Recently, he has been involved with both Two X Two for AIDS and Art in Dallas and HRC’s Black Tie Dinner, and he was just asked to be a member of the 2013 Style Council for DIFFA Dallas. In the midst of all this, Morgan found the time to write a novel, The Society Chronicles. It’s a work of fiction based on his experiences swimming in high society circles around the globe. The hero is Jake Gaines, editor of a luxurious lifestyle magazine called Dazzle.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Austin Preparing For Racing Hoopla

By Michael Quintanilla Friday, November 16, 2012

PHOTO: “Grey’s Anatomy” star and racing enthusiast Patrick Dempsey (right, with driver Charles Espenlaub) is expected in Austin this weekend. Photo: File Photo, Getty Images / 2011 Getty Images

Celebrity watchers, start your engines.

The race is on this weekend for a brush with fame when the glitterati will make the party rounds as Austin welcomes the much-anticipated Formula One United States Grand Prix.

It's the first U.S. date on the international Formula One season in five years, following stops in such glitzy locales as Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi. Sunday's race, before 120,000 fans at the new 3.4-mile Circuit of the Americas track, also could determine this year's world champion — favorites are Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Located a few miles east of Austin Bergstrom International Airport, the track will get its international debut with the race, the second-to-last of the year.

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS: Austin Preparing For Racing Hoopla

By Michael Quintanilla Friday, November 16, 2012

PHOTO: “Grey’s Anatomy” star and racing enthusiast Patrick Dempsey (right, with driver Charles Espenlaub) is expected in Austin this weekend. Photo: File Photo, Getty Images / 2011 Getty Images

Celebrity watchers, start your engines.

The race is on this weekend for a brush with fame when the glitterati will make the party rounds as Austin welcomes the much-anticipated Formula One United States Grand Prix.

It's the first U.S. date on the international Formula One season in five years, following stops in such glitzy locales as Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi. Sunday's race, before 120,000 fans at the new 3.4-mile Circuit of the Americas track, also could determine this year's world champion — favorites are Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Located a few miles east of Austin Bergstrom International Airport, the track will get its international debut with the race, the second-to-last of the year.

By Cheryl Bemis Photographer: Gregg Cestaro

The stage was set at the Driskill Hotel Sunday night for a much anticipated fashion show by a well-known Austin fashion face, Stephen MacMillan Moser. While his name is connected with the Austin Chronicle for his After a Fashion weekly column, this night Stephen replaced his writing talents for his more creative design side. Gail Chovan, the long-time, eclectic and very artistic designer and owner of South Congress’ Blackmail Boutique showed a stunning capsule collection (a recap of her Collection 15 is coming from her Tuesday night show) and Tina Johnson and Roosevelt Cevallos (shoes) also showed pieces to make it a wonderful local foursome of fashion collections that walked the runway.

The energy at the Driskill show was much like some of the shows I covered in the old days, circa the crazy Club de Ville fashion show days…fast-forward a decade and I felt that same energy Sunday night but everyone was better dressed and the dressing rooms weren’t outside. The well-mannered people you typically see at a fashion show came unglued during Stephen’s set and the fashion party ignited! It was fun, loud, and the models cut loose on the runway with the crowd getting louder with each piece making its appearance. Super fun to see the front row with Ross Bennett, Matt Swinney and celebrity game show host Chuck Woolery cutting it up and having just about as much fun as the models!

Legendary Texan Liz Smith reports on Brilliant's launch quoting Houstonian Carolyn Farb...

When people talk about the winners and losers on Oscar night, the discussion often centers not on the movies, but on what the stars wore.

Brilliant Magazine’s Lance Morgan spoke to ABC's KVUE and discussed the biggest trends on the red carpet this year….www.kvue.com

Brilliant's Lance Avery Morgan, along with Houston super socialite Lynn Wyatt, hosts a party for Candy Spelling in from Beverly Hills...

The Society Diplomat is duly launched. Lance Avery Morgan’s new platform for various endeavors — digital publication, book, events, etc. about Texas high life — received a suitable inauguration on the windy W Terrace on Friday.

At one point during the sharply catered party, novelist Sarah Bird asked me: “Who are the guests?” I suggested that the slim, lightly dressed mob belonged to the fashion, media, interactive and related tribes. Bird said (and I’m paraphrasing): “Fashion? I don’t see anyone wearing anything wild.” I responded: “Well, that’s Austin. Even in the style set, the look is casual, rarely showy.”

Singer Larissa Ness and DJ Johnny Bravvo fought the wind to whip up the crowd. Big names on the Austin social scene mixed with visitors from Houston, Dallas and California. Even those of us promised to other events, lingered, so tempting was the conversation.

At one point, the wind gusted, crashing two tall tables of glassware. People screamed and scattered. Miraculously, nobody happened to be standing nearby. Well, every big launch requires some broken glass.

By: Veronica Castelo

Austin Fashion Week is coming up in August and preparation is already well underway. About 30 teams of models, photographers and designers are hard at work creating what they hope will be the most standout photographs at the event.

BrilliantMagazine.com Publisher and Editorial Director Lance Avery Morgan met up with the Organic Hipsters during their shoot for Austin Fashion Week.

Team Leader Sandra Richards, creator of Couture Cottons, talked to Lance about the work it takes to create the perfect photo.

The public will get to see and vote for their favorite photos online starting Aug. 2. The photos will be auctioned off at the official Austin Fashion Week kick-off event on Aug. 14. Proceeds from the event benefit Dress for Success.

Houston's fashionable socialite Becca Cason Thrash celebrated her induction into the French Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, joined by philanthropists, beauties and tycoons from London to L.A. …

 It was an early summer's night dream for Becca Cason Thrash when 220 of her nearest and dearest friends celebrated her induction to the French Chevalier of the Legion of Honor at a home in River Oaks. Richard Flowers orchestrated the elaborate fete; black and white wide-striped linens and pink peonies set a poolside stage with a Beverly Hills-meets-San Miguel sensibility. For once, Cason Thrash had not one inkling of the bash's details. She was simply told when to show up.

I had so many questions about the Settlement Home Garage Sale. Volunteer leaders Marilyn Willson, Margaret Scott and Michele Brocatoanswered many of them during the preview party at the Palmer Events Center. Then Andrea Ball's American-Statesman story on Nov. 4 answered the rest of them.

Just one look at the hundreds of thousands of items for resale in the vast center was enough to convince me that this fundraiser is a yearlong effort. As Ball reported, the Garage Sale, which will return next year, brings in more than 15,000 people and up to $500,000 a year to fund the treatment center for abused, neglected and emotionally troubled girls. Volunteers are collecting, cleaning, organizing and moving the massive trove of cast-offs every month of the year.

I surveyed what seemed like acres of clothing, shoes, furniture, books, DVDs, posters, toys, hunting gear and even some high-end-looking silver and china. Familiar Austinites — Ann Showers Butler, Lance Avery Morgan, Denise Gamino, Pat Brown, David Stark, Dick Rathgeber, for instance — were waiting around every corner.

A few weeks ago we had the privilege of planning a spectacular Palm Springs-themed party at W Austin for our dear friend, Lance Avery Morgan. To celebrate the launch of The Society Diplomat, guests donned their brightest garb and danced the night away in what was truly a fabulous affair of who’s-who’s. So excited to give you a peak at some of our favorite details of the night, including beautiful centerpieces from Mandarin Floral, tunes by DJ Johnny Bravvo & Larissa Ness, and champagne from Veuve, to name a few. Follow the jump to see the event perfectly captured by Chris Caselli.

Age and place of birth: Over 29, and holding. Born in Austin, TX as a fifth generation of the Central Texas Area.

Immediate family members and what they do: Older brothers Rod Morgan and Larry Morgan, both in Austin real estate. My longtime Austin resident parents retired to Fredericksburg.

Education: Austin High School, University of Texas

Occupation: Media Maven

What’s your career ambition? I’m so fortunate that I’ve pursued all my career ambitions in television, PR and publishing.

Civic or other nonprofit activities: Make A Wish Foundation, Human Rights Campaign Fund, UNICEF, DIFFA, and countless others on ranging from local to international levels.

What is the latest project in which you are involved? I am thrilled with the debut in September of the new The Society Diaries bi-monthly magazine I created that is devoted to high performers in Austin, San Antonio, South Texas and into Mexico. Next up is to become a best-selling author beginning with my new book, The Society Diplomat, available on Amazon and at TheSocietyDiplomat.com.

SHELBY'S SOCIAL DIARY
By Shelby Hodge

Diplomats, divas and dandies rally in praise of Becca Cason Thrash and her French Legion of Honor

Earning title to the French Legion of Honor is no small feat. So, fittingly, it was no small soirée on Wednesday night that celebrated that remarkable accomplishment by Becca Cason Thrash.

More than two dozen FOBs (Friends of Becca) — individuals and couples — joined forces to host the grand evening in her honor at one of River Oaks' most spectacular homes, in a garden setting that could have been straight from — where else? — the South of France.

Like a scene from a Hollywood movie, the glamorous and the powerful poured in to pay tribute to the woman whom France honored last month for her international philanthropy, her unprecedented fundraising for the Louvre and her years of championing Franco-American relations.

The brainchild of bRILLIANT magazine co-founder and all-around bon vivant Lance Avery Morgan, chose the perfect location to host its “Palm Springs meets Texas” soirée on a recent wind-swept evening.

Not only did the Gods smile on the weather, but also on the sun-kissed attendees who showed up in their spring best to celebrate the site’s launch and the highly-anticipated publication of Morgan’s tome about the legendary Texas social scene, aptly titled “The Society Diplomat.”

Scores of friends and admirers enjoyed a Champagne bar hosted by Veuve Cliquot and cocktails from Belvedere, all while mingling on the upstairs balcony at the W Austin in a desert oasis produced by “it girl” event designer Camille Styles Moore.

Local songstress (and accomplished musician) Larissa Ness performed a high-energy set for the crowd before DJ Johnny Bravvo took over the decks as the sun set over City Hall and the hills to the west. More than one conversation about plans for summer escapes to Aspen, Nantucket and Santa Barbara were overheard, lending a chic touch to an already chic evening!

Lucky 11's

It was a swell turnout Tuesday night at Montblanc in the Galleria, when Becca Cason Thrash hosted a cocktail shopping spree for one of her fave charities — Best Buddies International. The luxury goods purveyor has partnered with the non-profit for 11 days of giving 11 percent of proceeds from purchases made in 11 Montblanc stores. It's a Montblanc North America initiative with Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver signing on in New York, Cason Thrash in Houston and Katherine Schwarzenegger (the oldest of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger's four children) at the Rodeo Drive store in LA. While sipping champagne and wine and nibbling on dainty hors d'oeuvres were John Thrash, Candice and Lonnie Schiller, Lance Avery Morgan, Valerie Sarofim, Monsour Taghdisi, Dan Dubrowski, Rosemarie Johnson, Nancy Marcus Golden, Sarah Bray and Neal Hamil. Montblanc boutique manager Jason Bickel proudly showed them all the seven-star diamond necklace and earrings suite specially flown in for the week. Proceeds from all stores will be presented to Best Buddies at the organization's big gala in Palm Beach on March 18. Becca serves on the Best Buddies International board.

Lance Avery Morgan, the founder of Brilliant magazine, is working to redefine the image of Texas.

After six years of Brilliant, Morgan has definitely made his mark.

By Jenn Zwillenberg

Cowboys, southern drawls, the Wild West are just some of the things Texas evokes. Since the beginning of its statehood in 1845, the Lone Star State has always had an identity of its own. At one time, it was its own country, so that helped shaped its personality, too. Everything is bigger in this country-sized state, from football to barbeque; Texas has a special style of doing things. While this is all “well and good” for some, others find this reputation and image inaccurate and a tad outdated. With more than 24 million residents, Texas is a place of great diversity and variety. With thriving cities like Dallas, Houston and Austin becoming more metropolitan than ever, it may be time to reconsider the Wranglers and cowboy boots scenario.

Enter Brilliant magazine and Lance Avery Morgan, who are working hard to redraw this image. “Our state is legendary in size and reputation,” boasts the magazine’s mission statement, “Brilliant profiles its magnificence like no other magazine. Dynamic in scope and editorially eclectic, it reflects the people, culture and lifestyle of Texans on a grand scale.”

The Society Diplomat book by Brilliant's Lance Avery Morgan launched in fine, glam form at the new W Hotel in Austin...

Brilliant's Lance Avery Morgan has a new book called The Society Diplomat featured in THE go-to online resource for the best of the best of Dallas, founded by Sharon Adams...

Marques Harper reports on the WSJ article that highlights local style mavens like Brilliant's Lance Avery Morgan

The much loved style blog, Styleshaker on AOL get's up close and personal with Brilliant's Lance Avery Morgan, "every socialite's greatest accessory"...