Articles about Boutiques
What To Do This Wednesday Night: Candlelight on Henderson
Although you wouldn’t know it by the temperature outside, the holiday season has officially begun. To celebrate, the merchants along Henderson Avenue are opening their doors this Wednesday, November 12, from 6-9 pm, during Candelight on Henderson. Expect food, drinks, music, good company, and–you guessed it–candlelight at the following participating shops: Milton Kent Antiques, La Mariposa, Art is Art, Emeralds to Coconuts, Pandemonium, Again & Again (which you can read about in this month’s issue of D Home), and Gypsy Wagon (which we at D Beauty love). Hope to see you there.
Big Sale at LFT
Never one to pay retail myself, this is good news: fall merchandise for men and women is 45% off at LFT in Victory Park. Among the many, many labels to be found: Ella Moss, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, James Perse, Diane Von Furstenberg, Sass & Bide, Rag & Bone, and Loeffler Randall. Get it while the gettin’s good.
Heaven Scent
I mentioned it was due to open in October and it has finally arrived…LAFCO (Luxury Articles And Fragrance Company) opens it’s doors just in time for Holiday shopping! LAFCO’s New York team (including owner, Jon Bresler) all flew down for the Highland Park Village store’s debut last week and I got a grand tour of the sophisticated fragrance shop. I have never smelled so many savory scents in my life, starting with the Claus Porto soaps (there are 16 scents to choose from) which are made by a century old Portuguese soap making company that is highly regarded throughout Europe. Each bar is milled seven times for the finest finish (lasting three times longer than other soaps the same size). The artful packaging, created using the same paper stock, embossing techniques and screen printing methods from decades ago, makes them great for gift-giving (many on my list will be getting them). Don’t worry guys, you aren’t forgotten. Be sure to check out the Musco Real men’s face and body collection. The shampoo/shower gel is perfect for the man on-the-go and all products are reasonably priced, starting at just $10. The shop is also the exclusive importer of infamous Santa Maria Novella (founded in 1221) products for men, women, children, and more (they even have fragrant fire-starters for the fireplace). Also find candles that are packaged in colorful art-deco glass (that can be recycled), Eau d’Italie fragrances, Linari diffusers, and Arte & Cuoio leather goods.
Marnie Rocks Wednesday Night
We’ve mentioned Marnie Rocks before. If you didn’t go then, get goin’ now for Wednesday’s Girl’s Night Out. Here are a few reasons why. One, Marnie herself will be in town. Two, you can use your Partners Card, which entitles you to 20 percent off in the store. Three, there will be giveaways. Four, fashion bingo, and five, pink champagne and cupcakes. Oh, and most importantly, the jewelry, rain gear, and bags are way cute and wearable every day. Do you seriously need more to persuade you? (Reminder: pink champagne and cupcakes.) 6:30 pm to 8 pm. 8413 Preston Center Plaza Drive. 214-369-1200 or marnierocks.com.
Party at Sussie’s October 16
So I just told you that Sussie’s is joining forces with Pumps to create an in-store shoe boutique. Well, to celebrate this happy union, there will be bellinis and snacks from 11 am-6 pm at Sussie’s on Thursday, October 16. (Sussie’s is located on Preston near Lebanon, in Frisco, just north of Stonebriar Center.) Pumps owner A’Lisa Adams will be there to show off her fab collection of shoes. This all sounds like the perfect excuse to play hooky! And tell Rory I sent you.
Jeans Aren’t Just For Your Legs
Nope, not anymore. Jen Abrams has designed a very cool collection of jewelry utilizing vintage denim. She combines it with 10-karat gold to create earrings, cuffs and rings that are not only unique but incredibly wearable. Whenever I don my Jen Abrams Collection ring EVERYONE notices it and comments on how cute it is. I haven’t seen anything like her pieces before - although now that I wrote this eveyone in town will be wearing them! The Blues Jean Bar in Preston Center carries her line, or you can place an order on her web site. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Sip & Shop at Epiphany Boutique October 4
Bishop Arts boutique Epiphany is having a Sip & Shop event this Saturday, October 4, from 5-9 pm. The buys of the night are Gumdrops Necklaces by local designer Carli Elizabeth: precious and semiprecious drops on 14-karat gold-filled chains. Once you pop in for a new fall accessory, you can enjoy prickly pear margaritas and venison Frito pie at Tillman’s Roadhouse or fried green tomatoes and fried catfish at Hattie’s or … really, the possibilities are endless. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night with some girlfriends.
Hat Attack
I almost don’t want to tell you about this event. I’m afraid if too many people know then there won’t be anything left when I get there. But I believe in supporting local designers so I’ll take my chances. Here goes: Cassie MacGregor, hat-maker extraordinaire, is having a 50% off sale on all of last seasons styles (which doesn’t mean they’re out of style now, it just means she has created a new line) on Sunday, September 28 from 2-7pm at her studio (614 Davis, Dallas above Bolsa). What’s even better is that Cassie is being incredibly generous and donating 10% of all sales to the Texas Theater restoration project. (Please bring cash only.)
Sussie’s + Pumps = Match Made in Heaven
You may recall reading about my very favorite boutique, Sussie’s, and ridiculously cute shoe store Pumps in McKinney, in spring 2008’s D Beauty Awards. Well, yesterday Sussie’s owner Rory Boyd confirmed that she’s expanding her Frisco store to make room for a Pumps in-store shoe boutique. So under one roof you’ll find pieces by Elie Tahari, Milly, Ella Moss, and Trina Turk and shoes by such designers as Loeffler Randall, Nanette Lepore, and Corso Como. Not to mention a carefully edited selection of accessories and handbags (love the Double Happiness). It’s official: I have absolutely no reason to shop anywhere else.
Marnie Rocks Dallas
It’s possible you’ve seen Marnie Rocks in InStyle, PaperCity, or Lucky magazines. Well, now you can see the goods in person at Houston designer Marnie Greenwood’s new shop in Preston Center. In addition to her jewelry line (like this zodiac pendant, part of her new collection), Greenwood’s wares include super-cute bags, scarves, rain gear, and kids’ stuff. Greenwood’s got quite a following in Hollywood, so if you ever wanted to accessorize like a starlet, this is the way to do it.
New Fall Arrivals at Henry Beguelin in Victory Park
This is probably not the wisest thing for an editor to admit, but I had never heard of Henry Beguelin until I started receiving notices in my in box about new arrivals at the store in Victory Park. Shame on me, because I had no idea what I was missing. (For example, these super-fly, open-toe, lace-up, sling-back booties.) The brand traces its roots back to the 1980s, on the island of Elba, where a group of friends assembled belts and bags using natural cowhide and recycled materials. The line now includes much more than belts and bags, of course–from shoes to cashmere knitwear to furniture and other home decor–but the commitment to hand-crafting luxurious, timeless pieces remains. So check out the latest shipment for fall. I can just smell the leather.
Archive Vintage Boutique Now Open
So last night, Kristin and I popped into the open house for Archive, the new vintage store on Maple Avenue, across from the Stoneleigh. The cute-as-pie boutique was filled with fabulous vintage finds, all in impeccable condition and organized by color. We especially loved the assortment of 1950s cocktail dresses (so very Mad Men), 1960s Gucci scarves, rockin’ Xavier Danaud cowboy boots (pictured), and one buttery soft cropped black leather jacket–so hot! I think it was Versace, but of course now that I’ve said that, I will be wrong. Whatever the label, it was the best buy in the store, and if I didn’t have to pay my mortgage and property taxes, I would have bought it on the spot. So, if you are a lover of vintage, go see the girls at Archive Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, or Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment.
Melanie Gayle Fall Launch Party
This Wednesday, September 10 from 6-8pm Melanie Gayle will be having their fall launch party. Everything in the store will be 20% off and there will be cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Amanda Sterett will be making a personal appearance and they’ll have some great fashion giveaways. Don’t miss it!
Archive Store Opening Party September 18
Get ready for drinks, hors d’oeuvre, and fabulous vintage finds at the Maple Avenue store opening of Archive on September 18 from 6–9 pm. Owner Kerry Bonnell offers pieces (1960s-1990s) from such designers as Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Halston, Pucci, Chloe, Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent in perfect or near-perfect condition. The shop officially opens September 19; hours are Thursday–Saturday from 10 am–6 pm and Tuesday–Wednesday by appointment. You can also shop online or find Archive pieces at V.O.D. in Victory Park. Do you have a designer vintage piece to sell? Bonnell can help you with that, too.
Local Stores, New Web Sites
Two of our favorite local shops, The Nest and Clotheshorse Anonymous, have recently launched new web sites. You can now shop and preview stock on The Nest’s new site (I am especially fond of the Gifts & Accents category) and get updates on current merchandise and new items arriving at Clotheshorse Anonymous.
LAFCO New York Coming to Dallas Soon
Good news for all of you bathing beauties out there. Renowned luxe apothecary, LAFCO (luxury articles and fragrance company) New York, is set to open in October at Highland Park Village. They will stock all European imports including the famed line Santa Maria Novella, made by the most prestigious and oldest pharmacy in the world. To read more about the new addition and see what Jon Bresler, owner and founder of LAFCO New York has this to say about coming to Dallas, follow the jump. (more…)
Roberto Cavalli Boutique Coming to NorthPark
NorthPark has done it again, this time with a Roberto Cavalli boutique, coming in October 2008. Say the powers that be (read: PR): “Inspired by a glamorous and free-spirited sensibility, the store embodies the modern elegance of the Cavalli world and sets a new standard for the innovative use of materials and design.” Expect to find women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, and eyewear collections, plus a 250-square-foot VIP section with velvet-covered wall. (Something tells me the only way I’ll see the VIP area is if I’m invited on a press tour.) The grand opening of the Roberto Cavalli boutique will coincide with this year’s Fashion at the Park. On October 10, Dallas gets its own runway show, a replica of the fall/winter show in New York, and Roberto Cavalli will be in attendance.
New Store Alert: Hemline
I just hopped over to Lover’s Lane to check out Hemline, a new boutique just down the block from Lou Lou and Mine, and across from Elements. It’s owned by two sisters, Ashley Williams and Kelly Hall. I liked what I saw from designers like Kensie, Nicole Miller, Twelfth Street, Free People and Chinese Laundry. Pieces range from cocktail dresses to jeans with everything in between, including shoes. I saw some really pretty dresses that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Price points vary from “doable” to “I wish I had that kind of money.” They have only been open since June but are already having a sale to make room for the fall lines which should be in store in the next few weeks.
Amanda Sterett Launches Fall Collection
Local jewelry designer Amanda Sterett—who recently hit it big by getting picked up by Kate Spade stores this year—just launched her fall collection. You can preview it on her web site now or find it in local stores such as Melanie Gayle, Stanley Korshak, Elements, and A. Hooper.
F.I.G. Finale
I stopped by the much-anticipated sale first thing this morning with my husband and cousin in tow. There was already a crowd gathered outside eagerly awaiting eleven o’clock. This time around there are even more local stores participating - over 45 - including some of our favorites, V.O.D., Melanie Gayle, Kacky & Carl, Linus Lounge, Elements, LFT, True Rumors, Merge, and more. Most shops are only taking cash (there’s an ATM on-site in case you need it), but we spotted a few accepting checks and credit cards. Some showrooms (like Policei and Puma) are open for sample sales as well. There are many items worth the trip including a Mayle dress at V.O.D. - marked down from $575 to $100, Earnest Sewn skinny jeans at Merge for $75, Gil Carvalho shoes at Linus Lounge for $223, a men’s Zegna coat marked down from $1245 to $200 at LFT (everything at LFT that originally cost $1000 or more is now only $200). I was there for a little over an hour, but I could have spent many more. I think I may have to go back after work - it’s open until 9 P.M. tonight and again tomorrow from 11-5. Note: Be sure to wear clothing that’s easy to change in and out of as dressing areas are limited. Happy shopping!
Tous Boutique To Open at Galleria in November
Coming in November to Galleria Dallas is Tous (famous for this little bear), the first North Texas outpost of this Spanish retailer. The Galleria store will carry the full line, including jewelry, handbags, accessories, and cosmetics. If you love Kylie Minogue, then you should check out the web site, where you can watch all kinds of behind-the-scenes footage of the Australian starlet, who is also the spokesperson for the brand.
Makeup Lessons at Merge
As a back-to-school promotion, the Merge boutiques in Dallas and Plano are bringing Bobbi Brown makeup experts to the stores on September 4 (Dallas) and September 5 (Plano) to give makeup lessons to students and parents. Appointments are available on the hour between 11 am and 6 pm, and there will be Bellinis for the grown-ups. I don’t have school-age daughters—I don’t have children at all, actually—but I’m still considering attending this event. I mean, seriously, free alcohol? And I can finally learn how to layer my eyeshadow? I’m sold.
Sip, Shop and Stroll at Victory Park
On August 14th and 21st head over to Victory Park from 5-9pm to sip on a complimentary W summer cocktail, shop all the fashionable stores and stroll down Victory Park Lane to the sounds of live music. I’m in!
Summer Sale at Melanie Gayle
Melanie Gayle has marked down all existing summer merchandise to 75% off. We always find fabulous frocks that we can’t pass up at this Snider Plaza shop. Let us know what summer sales you can’t resist.
Fall Fashion Scoop
With temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, fall may be the last thing on your mind, but we can’t resist all the fabulous fall fashions arriving in stores now. Some of our favorite local haunts have us feining for frosty temps with new merchandise arriving daily. Follow the jump to get the scoop. (more…)
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