Shoe Envy

Sexy shoe designer Christian Louboutin is headed to Houston with new boutique

The red sole wonder is coming to Houston with a stand-alone store.

French footwear designer Christian Louboutin announced plans to open a boutique in The Galleria in fall 2016, officials said Tuesday. The shop, which will be located near Neiman Marcus, will showcase the designer’s glamorous goods, including his iconic brand of sexy women’s shoes, ranging from $600 to $6,000, as well as men's shoes, handbags and small leather goods.

It will be the designer's 19th U.S. boutique and the second in Texas. Louboutin has a stand-alone boutique in Dallas's Highland Park Village. His designs are already featured in such Houston stores as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

During a visit to Houston in 2012, Louboutin hinted at a possible Houston boutique. "Outside of America, people think of Texas as a very masculine state, but there is something also very feminine about it. Texans are very warm and super friendly," he told CultureMap.

Louboutin, who opened his first store in Paris more than 20 years ago, is known for his signature red-lacquered soles, which have caught the attention of a large, worldwide clientele.

The Louboutin boutique joins an ever-expanding lineup of luxury retailers at The Galleria, which is undergoing a $30 million renovation with new retail space and a new, state-of-the-art flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store scheduled to open in spring 2016.

"We've been on a roll in having new tenants join our family with Tod's opening last week and La Perla this Saturday. The Webster (opens) this November and Celine has been announced to open in 2016. Louboutin is another great addition to our luxury mix," said Galleria marketing director Andrew Huang.

While the River Oaks District development, slated to open later this year, promises a competitive scene for the luxury shopper, Galleria officials are convinced they will remain the premier destination. "The Galleria is an iconic institution for Houston. Brands are coming to us," Huang said.

Louboutins are known for their red soles.

Courtesy photo

Louboutins are known for their red soles.

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Beyond Jewelry

Texas designer Kendra Scott steps up with first-ever boot collection

Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Boot Collection

Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

The collection only includes three silhouettes, but colors widen the choices.

One of Texas's most prominent fashion designers is stepping into a new realm: Western boots. Kendra Scott, known primarily for her relatively affordable, casual jewelry, is launching her first-ever footwear collection under the Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott brand.

Yellow Rose, a "lifestyle extension" of the more general Kendra Scott brand, focuses on Western aesthetics and personalization. The company opened a Houston location in the Heights in February. The boot collection will be available there as well as locations in Dallas and Austin. Customers from farther afield can also order online.

A press release says the Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Boot Collection "deepens [the brand's] authentic connection to Kendra Scott’s Texas roots." It also cites a focus on "accessibility and color innovation" for the "modern cowgirl."

“When we set out to create Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, I wanted it to honor the timeless spirit of Texas while also reflecting my admiration for iconic women like Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn,” said founder and chief creative officer Kendra Scott in the release.

“Their influence, alongside our customers’ desire for versatile and authentic footwear, led us to envision Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott as a Western-inspired lifestyle brand offering everything from head to toe," she continued. "Footwear felt like a natural progression toward that goal, bringing everyday style to the modern cowgirl and cowboy in a way that’s familiar to us—through unique shapes, colors, and timeless design.”

The collection encompasses three different styles: two in women's cuts, and one for men. Although this is the first time Kendra Scott is offering boots, it's not the first time shoppers have seen some of the design elements in the embroidery, which echoes some jewelry designs. All three styles are made of cow leather and come in different colors.

Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Boot Collection Abbie The boldest style is the Abbie Boot, which has an extended and scalloped front. According to the release, the embroidery is inspired by bluebonnets.Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Boot Collection Sarah The Sarah Boot moves the scalloping to the embroidery and features the same moon phase designs over the foot.Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Boot Collection men's boot The men's boots are simpler and look more work-ready, although this suede begs to differ.Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

Shoppers can pick up pieces from this collection for $298-$398. Styles are available in men's sizes 7.5-13 and women's 5-12.

boots kendra scott western wear