Right now, we're deep in a costuming drought. Mardi Gras was three months ago, and Halloween is still five months away. It's really hard for New Orleanians to go this long without donning wigs and getting drunk in public, but fortunately, a slate of loosely thematic, costume-esque summer events (e.g., Sippin' In Seersucker, Red Dress Run, White Linen Night) has emerged to help us cope with the pains of withdrawal.

This week sees two such events: It kicked off with a cruisewear-themed costume contest that was part of Yelp's Passport to Freret Street. Participants spent $25 at Bloomin' Deals Thrift Shop and modeled their creative interpretations of the theme before discerning judges (cough: me and Christy Lorio of Slow Southern Style) and a rapt crowd at La Nuit Theater:

• MC and organizer Joi Brozek admires Julia McMahon's creation.

The Oxford American recently launched Parish Chic, a new online column in which journalist and photographer L. Kasimu Harris showcases the sometimes elegant, always eclectic pastiche of styles endemic to his hometown of New Orleans. The Circle Bar hosts a party celebrating the column from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. this Thursday, March 29. Here, Harris tells us why fashion matters and how jazz influences even the way we dress.

• Photo by Irving Johnson III
• L. Kasimu Harris

How would you describe New Orleans' fashion sensibility?

We definitely dress for heat, and our attitude comes out as far as being easygoing and being really improvisational — the roots of jazz and black American music. Perhaps once upon a time, you could look at someone and say, "This person is from New York," but with the advent of technology and prevalence of travel, a lot of people borrow from each other, so styles aren't as easily defined or recognized. But I think those three things are definitely incorporated in anything we do.

Your subjects are all very different. What makes somebody's style stand out?

I like people who take risks in style. Someone who has tried something different. I never intended for the column to be, "This is stylish, this is not." It's just people who care about style and have done it in a creative and interesting way.

• Photo by L. Kasimu Harris for Parish Chic

Between boasting its own native Mad Men alumnus and hosting a slew of season premiere parties, it's safe to say New Orleans is in the thralls of the critically acclaimed AMC series. So when costume designer Janie Bryant copped to being "kind of obsessed" with New Orleans, it felt just as flattering as when your pretty, popular, perfectly dressed crush likes you back. She's in town to judge Fashion Week New Orleans' Top Designer Competition and will speak at its Career Day this Friday, March 23. Here, she shares why she loves her work, fashion and New Orleans.

• Janie Bryant

Yes, everyone is very curious! I'm zip-lipped about it. You'll see soon enough!

As owner of The Revival Outpost, a Magazine Street boutique dealing in vintage and vintage-inspired clothes, Christina Flannery brings her styling and photography skills front and center. Her shop's Facebook page is a succession of affordable, colorfully offbeat outfits she styles and photographs herself. Its website boasts original fashion photography that's both dreamlike and menacing, and Christina herself is living proof that every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.

How would you describe your style?

It's a mash-up of high streetwear and '90s grunge. I'm heavily influenced by vintage clothing and wear it in every aspect of my wardrobe. I love '60s bright neon prints, '70s free-spirited, loose, flowing clothing, and '90s hip-hop and grunge. I've never been much to stick to one category.

Who or what are your style icons?
The Fanning sisters, Isabel Lucas, Kate Bosworth, Atlanta de Cadenet and Rihanna.

What style blogs or magazines do you read?
What style blogs don't I read!? A few of my tops: Earth Age, Strange Ambition, The Drifter and the Gypsy, A Pair & A Spare, Fashezine, and of course, Style Rookie!

Where do you like to shop?
In town, I frequent my co-op pals Blue Dream Vintage, Ragdoll and Buffalo Exchange ... out of town TIME WARP!!!

Tell us about The Revival Outpost and how it reflects/influences your style. Where does the name come from?

The Revival Outpost reflects my own personal closet. I am ever-changing and have the inability to stick to one style. In the store you will find new, indie and vintage (pieces). All of the items range from '40s-'90s vintage and influenced. I also have a warm spot for crafters and try to cater to my love by bringing on local artists. The name Revival came to me in two different aspects: one, reviving vintage clothing, but also my love for the Deep South and eerieness of church revivals. ( I may have been watching a bit too much True Blood at the time.)

What are some of your fashion tips?
Wear vintage! It's eco-friendly, and it's a lot cooler than shopping at large corporate companies who replicate vintage items.
Loud, bright prints are awesome! Stay up with belt trends and you will never lose. Gym shorts, baggy T-shirts and sweatpants are OK for the gym ONLY! Seriously though, you're not young forever, so wear short shorts, crop tops, and fitted clothing as much as possible!

If you've perused an issue of Gambit's CUE, you know we're committed to seeking out the cutest canines and profiling them in our monthly "Shop Dogs" feature. As a journalist who covers both fashion and dogs (and occasionally, fashionable dogs), it gives me great pleasure to write up (and be a judge at) an event that combines both beats: Alegria, a fashion show benefiting the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) takes place at the W New Orleans from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday, March 4.

Now in its fourth year, the show features a Project Runway-style competition for emerging fashion designers. The winner receives a prize package worth more than $1,000. Danielle Arthur, Al Beauti, Susan Henry, Emily Riche and Molly Stackhouse will compete. Alegria creator John Delgadillo will showcase his newest collection, as will Alicia Zenobia, last year's winner.

“Alegria showcases the booming talent of this community ... (and) benefits an organization (that) has given so much to New Orleans,” Delgadillo said in a press release.

Individual tickets start at $25 and include hors d'oeuvres, unlimited specialty cocktails and the satisfaction of knowing that proceeds benefit the LA/SPCA's education and community clinic programs. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling LA/SPCA event coordinator Marisa Collins at 504-762-3307.

• Fashion and dogs unite at Alegria, a fashion show benefiting the LA/SPCA

How would you describe your aesthetic?

It tends to be simple and edgy in a way, but ultimately, everything I do is really clean. I use a lot of geometric shapes. For spring, it was circles, but now there are triangles in there. I could do a million collections with circles. I try to think of unconventional ways to use shapes, things I haven’t seen before. Everything comes out sexy, but in a very sophisticated and understated way.

• Jason Kruppa

Do you have a particular type of woman in mind when you design?

I want to make clothes people want to wear; things I would wear. Some of the things I design are young looking, and some things could be worn by a wide range of ages. Some things can only be worn by super-skinny people; some things I could wear, and I am not super skinny. I want to do unconventional pieces that people can actually wear, and I feel like every piece is wearable.

• Jason Kruppa

You recently produced your first collection for sale in boutiques. What was that process like?

This is the first collection I have that is being produced. Designing a collection for a runway and designing one that needs to work for production and boutiques is very different. I have gotten a lot of feedback from the buyers, which has been really helpful. It's being carried in three stores right now - Angelique, The MIX in Mandeville and NK Boutique in Baton Rouge, and I hope to expand in the fall. Because it is low-volume right now, I can do special things for each boutique, for example, a specific color for a specific boutique.

• Jason Kruppa

Tell us about your background as a designer.

I graduated from (the fashion school at) LSU and I did a short internship with Seema Sudan (of Liamolly), and then I interned in New York with Friends with Benefits. I came back, did a couple shows and sort of tried to get my name out there and start marketing myself, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I delved into the custom business and realized I wanted to do ready-to-wear and sportswear, which doesn’t lend itself to custom. There's a huge market for custom because of debutants and Mardi Gras, but I want to make pants and separates. I knew the next step was production. I didn’t want to go overseas. I feel like it is just going to be better if things are made here. I had heard about Jolie & Elizabeth (being produced locally), and I figured if they can do it, I can do it.

• Molly Stackhouse, the designer herself.

It goes to support the city. (Resources are) not only staying in the country, they're staying in the city. That is important to people. The main reason I use local production is because you have the best control. You're dealing with people who speak the same language. I can sit and show them exactly how I sew my patterns. That is very important to me, and I think that shold be important to customers. You sacrifice quality and design and ingenuity with cheap clothing. The thing the customer can most outwardly see is that the quality will be better for sure. And it is just ethical.

For wholesale inquiries, email Molly Stackhouse at mesdress@gmail.com or call 975-8890.

My first exposure to Patricia Steere was through her voicemail. On her shop's answering machine, her pleasant voice sounded cool and clipped, melodic yet articulate — almost a little too perfect. This impression carried through when I met her at her new Magazine Street boutique, A Girl is a Gun. With her precise auburn coif, beauty mark and perfectly fitted dress, she would have been intimidating if she wasn't so nice. I have to admit, I'm still a little cowed by her sharply defined aesthetic, but I left the store wanting to dress like her — and if that isn't the hallmark of shopgirl style, I don't know what is.

What style blogs or magazines do you read?
None.

Tell us about A Girl Is A Gun and how it reflects/influences your style. Where does the name come from?
The store name means a woman is dangerous, unpredictable and deadly. I carry styles I personally wear, so
the entire store is a reflection of my sartorial point of view. I don't wear jeans, yoga wear or flip-flops. I always wear stockings and heels, makeup and perfume. I'm confident and ready for anything, never have to
make excuses for my appearance and don't have to even think about it. It's a great feeling.

There's never really a bad time to be young, tall and beautiful — but some times are better for milking it than others. This is one of those times. Grab your comp cards, throw on some skinny jeans and stilettos and hit the pavement, because there's a bounty of modeling opportunities coming up in the next few weeks. Here's a rundown:

Wilhelmina Brown, an affiliate of Wilhelmina Models, is opening a New Orleans location and seeks models and actors for representation. There will be an open call from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 at La Nuit Theater (5039 Freret St.) Actors should bring headshots and a resume and be prepared to perform a monologue. All are encouraged to submit materials at www.wilhelminabrown.com prior to the casting. More info on their craigslist ad here.

Fashion Week New Orleans holds a casting for female models (minimum height 5'7", sizes 0-6, ages 16-28), plus-size models (minimum height 5'9", sizes 12-18, ages 16-28) and male models (minimum height 5'11", pants sizes 30-34, ages 19-32) Sunday, Jan. 29 at Cathedral Creative Studios (527 Julia St., 333-6713). Show dates are March 22-25.

NOLA Fashion Week holds a series of castings beginning Monday, Jan. 30 at Paris Parker salons throughout New Orleans and Baton Rouge. All castings are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the dates and locations are as follows: Monday, Jan. 30 at Paris Parker Prytania (4900 Prytania St.); Wed., Feb. 1 at Paris Parker Jefferson (8349 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge); Monday, Feb. 6 at Paris Parker Prytania; Thursday, Feb. 9 at Paris Parker Jefferson; Monday, Feb. 13 at Paris Parker LSU (4410 Highland Road, Baton Rouge) and Paris Parker Tulane (Lavin-Bernick Center, first floor). Final callbacks are Monday, Feb. 27 at Paris Parker Prytania. Models should be at least 5'6" and wear a solid-color T-shirt, fitted jeans or shorts and heels. Show dates are March 3-10.

Finally, now through Feb. 13, women can enter a model search for maurices.com (1200 S. Clearview Pkwy.,
Harahan, 731-6620). The young women's fashion retailer is seeking "12 real girls in all sizes to model maurices clothing in upcoming fall, holiday and spring campaigns," according to a press release issued by maurices. Visit the website to enter for a chance to appear in the campaign and win a $1,500 gift card and a $7,500 charitable makeover donation for an area nonprofit.

And, last but not least, I'm always looking for models to appear in CUE, Gambit's monthly fashion, home and beauty publication. Send photos and stats (height, weight, bust, waist and hip measurements, dress size, age) to me at cue@gambitweekly.com. Thanks!