this is one fab fest

Haute Houston style summit showcases fashion, beauty, and Insta influencers

Fashionistas, fashion lovers, lifestyle gurus, Pintrest and Insta superstars: If you’re looking for something for your weekend social calendar, the Create & Cultivate Style Summit is a perfect fit. The exciting event features a day of panels, trend presentations, glam treatments, and a keynote talk by Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, founder of Bird Bakery (and wife of actor Armie Hammer).

Hosted jointly by Create & Cultivate and Simon Malls, the Style Summit promises to be everything Houstonians need to stay on trend this summer and beyond. The event kicks off with a happy hour at 6 pm Friday, July 20 at Coach in The Galleria, with mixing and mingling, bubbles, and light bites.

The Saturday, July 21 panels include sessions on navigating the world of fashion blogging, plus a session where attendees can meet women who are conquering their glam game. Get beauty tips, learn about what will be hot this fall at the afternoon Trend Talk, and settle in as Chambers chats with Cultivate & Create CEO Jaclyn Johnson about her career and how she turned passion into business. The summit concludes with a closing happy hour.

The five-hour fashion fest also features bloggers and content creators like Courtney Kerr of Kerrently.com, Persona Cosmetics founder and blogger Sona Gasparian, fashion and lifestyle blogger Jaserah Asas, and Carrie Colbert, CEO and founder of carriecolbert.com, among others. With their keen eye for what’s in, what’s coming up, and who wore it best, these women provide their insights about working in fashion and how you can make fashion work for you.

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The Create & Cultivate Style Summit runs Saturday, July 21 from noon to 5 pm in the Saks Fifth Avenue wing of The Galleria, 5085 Westheimer Rd. For registration or more information, visit the official site.

Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, CEO and founder of Bird Bakery, will deliver a keynote chat.

Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, CEO & Founder, BIRD Bakery

Courtesy Photo

Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, CEO and founder of Bird Bakery, will deliver a keynote chat.

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BOOTS TO THE GROUND

Luxe Houston boot brand sets up court in Hill Country castle

Photo courtesy of Republic Boot Company

This isn't exactly a typical location for a boot store.

When most stores want to expand into a new town, they look at strip malls. Houston-based Republic Boot Company bought an entire castle. The company is turning Johnson City’s famous 290 Wine Castle at 10191 W US-290 into its newest outpost, though exactly what will happen behind the stone walls remains to be seen.

Republic is known for its high-end artisan cowboy boots and celebrity clients like Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and team owner Cal McNair, plus unexpected fans like rapper Paul Wall. Although the flagship is housed in a 100-year-old building in Houston’s hip Heights neighborhood, the branding hasn’t exactly embraced turrets and drawbridges.

“We’ve always said that Republic isn’t just about making boots; it’s about preserving the soul of Texas,” explained Chris Conrad, CEO and Founder of Republic Boot Company, in a release. “Acquiring this castle allows us to create a legendary destination where our customers can immerse themselves in the craft and make bucket-list memories. It’s bold, it’s unique, and it’s exactly where the Republic belongs. We have some wild plans for this property that the world hasn't seen before.”

For now, the company is keeping most details a secret, but Conrad told the Houston Business Journal that the bootmaker plans to continue the winemaking and hotel business on the property. The castle compound has plenty of room to grow with 14 guest rooms, a tasting room, a cigar lounge, a covered deck, and a full commercial kitchen. Oh, it also has a full dungeon.

Republic is no stranger to unique shopping opportunities. Its $6,000 Gator Hunt Experience allows clients to shoot their own alligator hide and make it into a pair of custom boots. Hunters also get a taxidermy mount, 10 pounds of alligator meat, and hopefully a few recipes on how to cook it.

The brand’s expansion comes as the Texas Hill Country transforms from a well-kept secret to an international tourist destination. Among the upcoming attractions are The Meuse, a luxury retail center with a Lucchese store and a Waldorf Astoria hotel with a new restaurant from acclaimed chef Dominique Crenn.

Republic Boot Company hasn’t shared any renovation details for the Medieval-style castle, built in 2019. The brand promises to reveal more details and a grand opening date in the coming weeks.

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