Lela Rose's big year: New York collection, Dallas store & Payless shoes keep Texas designer busy

NEW YORK — You can't blame Lela Rose if she's ready to slow down just a little. Lately, she's been one busy designer.

Last month, the Dallas native returned home for the grand opening of her first stand-alone store. She chose a location in tony Highland Park Village near the Dallas neighborhood where she was raised to open the 600-square foot boutique that showcases her ready-to-wear collection.

 The collection, based on the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, felt substantial and not as girly as some of Rose's previous efforts, with a romantic quality infused into the designs.

 Then it was back to New York to prepare her fall collection for the fashion press and admirers. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, she unveiled the collection before an audience that included Jenna Bush Hager (Rose designed the bridesmaids dresses for Hager's 2008 wedding) and Camila Alves, who was flashing a large diamond engagment ring from her fiancé, Matthew McConaughey.

In her previous two collections Rose looked to artist Gerhard Richter and a "neon graveyard" of broken signs in Las Vegas and Coney Island. This time she paid homage to the work of Santiago Calatrava. She became intrigued with the Spanish architect after viewing his new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas.

The collection featured strong colors like rust, gray, navy and mustard in zig-zag patterns, blurred plaids, folded pleats and unulating lines. It felt substantial and not as girly as some of Rose's previous efforts, with a romantic quality infused into the designs.

Rose, who designs shoes for Payless with each of her collections, named five styles for cities where Calatrava's bridge designs can be found. The designs featured stacked heels to resemble architectural beams, tiny copper nail heads and constrasting colors to evoke the patina of the bridges.

Afterwards, I had to race to a group show featuring Houston native Cesar Galindo and Coquette boutique owner Aries Milan, so I didn't get a chance to speak to Rose directly backstage. But, as her 5-year-old daughter raced around amid the hordes of wellwishers, Rose looked satisfied that the architectural-influenced collection was well received.

She told a reporter for the New York Observer that she planned to celebrate at a New York restaurant after the show. "And then I'm going to pass out."

But somehow knowing Rose's Texas drive and spirit, I suspected it wouldn't end there.

 “Actually, I’m having a dinner party tonight,” she added.

See the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas:

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