With the holidays finally behind us, you may think that the shopping season is over. Luckily, though, the sport of shopping never ends in Houston. Here are CultureMap's January shopping picks.
Sid and Ann Mashburn are the power couple behind their eponymous stores that have recently opened in River Oaks' Lamar Shopping Center. The concept is quite simple: Ann Mashburn is aimed at women and Sid Masburn is for men.
Both stores, which originated in Atlanta, feature classic-meets-cool clothes, accessories and goods that exemplify the pair's style philosophy. The stores sell everything from the couple's own brand of button-down dress shirts and tasseled loafers to neon Swiss Army knives and Iggy Pop records — this means you have to go.
Tempo Luxury Home NYC at More Than You Can Imagine
While this Upper Kirby store features amazing vintage apparel, owners Vicki Rizzo and Mauri Oliver also stock distinctive home furnishings. Oliver discovered designer Joe Ginsberg in New York and was taken with his handcrafted lighting fixtures, rugs and pillows that feature his paintings and photography transferred to fabric.
"I studied film, so I bring that to the products I create," Ginsberg told CultureMap's Clifford Pugh, who visited his Midtown Manhattan studio during fashion week last fall.
Some of Ginsberg's pillows featured at the store come in lush colors; others show a New York skyline or modern drawings of a cat and a mouse. The lighting fixtures include hand-blown lanterns in a variety of colors. Pillows retail between $250 to $400; the one-of-a-kind fixtures go from $800 to $1,200.
Winter Sale at M Penner
M Penner, located in Uptown Park, is holding its winter sale from now until the end of the month. All fall merchandise in both the men's and women's departments is marked 20 to 60 percent off the original price. The sale includes items from brands like Moschino Cheap & Chic, Hugo Boss, John Varvatos, Milly, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vince and more.
Black Sabbath Footware from Converse
The Spring 2014 Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Black Sabbath sneaker collection features five new styles inspired by the iconic rock band, with prices ranging from $60 to $70 a pair. This is the band's second collaboration with Converse and the collection comes on the heels of the return of the band's original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.
The shoes are available at local Converse retailers, including Nordstrom in The Galleria.
Space Montrose has called the corner of Dunlavy and Westheimer home for almost three years, but recently moved the store to a brand new location across the street at the same intersection in a new strip shopping center at 1706 Westheimer. The store offers a selection of unique handcrafted jewelry, exclusive screen-printed T-shirts (including "Montrose" emblazoned ones), clothing for children and babies, a wide selection of home goods and art pieces, stylish accessories and even plush toys.
DYI Collection from Define Body & Mind
Houston fitness studio Define Body & Mind recently launched its first collection of fitness apparel, called DYI. The collection features truly stylish workout wear options — including tops, pants and outerwear — that you won't find anywhere else. The collection combines luxury with eco-friendliness, with pieces made from high-performance fabrics like Suplex, as well as sustainable fabrics, including bamboo.
It's available the studio's four Houston locations, including 1945 West Gray in River Oaks.
Annual Consolidation Sale at Tootsies
Tootsies is ringing in the New Year with its famous annual consolidation sale at West Ave. Designer collections, dresses, contemporary sports wear, shoes, accessories, handbags and jewelry are up to 70 percent off. The sale runs through Jan. 26.
Jenny Packham at Elizabeth Anthony | Esther Wolf
Luxury fashion purveyor Elizabeth Anthony | Esther Wolf has introduced British designer Jenny Packham — a favorite of Kate Middleton — into the store's designer lineup. Packham's stunning couture gowns and cocktail dresses are exclusive to the store, located in Uptown Park.
As one of the newest boutiques in the Rice Village, Azuz is the place to go for statement-making clothes, handbags, shoes and jewelry. The new shop, owned and operated by friends Jacki Cosgrove and Penny Packer, features labels like L.A.M.B., House of Harlow, Tibi and Dolce Vita. Known for its wide selection of stylish goods and beautiful modern decor, the store, located at 2402 Rice Blvd., also offers wardrobe consulting in case you're having a fashion crisis.
Bisse Bubble Pure Air Facial Event at Neiman Marcus
Come to Neiman Marcus from Jan. 21 to 24 to experience a unique one-hour facial experience provided by spa and skincare company Natura Bisse. The Bubble Pure Air cocoon is an insulated enclosure filled with 99.9 percent pure filtered air, submerging the participant in an aromatic environment complete with soft music that is sure to relax even the most stressed individual.
A favorite of Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, appointments for the luxurious procedure can be made by calling 713-621-7100 ext. 2045. (The facial comes with a $500 purchase of Natura Bisse products, and includes a special gift as well.)
The Natura Bisse Bubble Pure Air Facial event Jan. 21 to Jan. 24 at Neiman Marcus.
Shoppers will line up at Katy Mills Mall as Primark opens its first Houston area store on November 20.Photo courtesy of Primark/Instagram