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    Super Shopping

    Pop-up shop showcases creative Houston fashion, jewelry, and home accessory designers

    Heather Staible
    Heather Staible
    Jan 16, 2017 | 12:05 pm

    Houstonians are a colorful and creative bunch. It’s a fact locals know well, and with the unveiling of LAUNCH at the downtown Houston Partnership Tower, visitors have the opportunity to experience that vibrant energy firsthand.

    LAUNCH is a collaboration between Houston First Corporation and Sydney Dao, the style setting creator of Squid Inc., a public relations and marketing firm.

    Together, they sought out some of Houston’s brightest and most creative fashion, jewelry, and home accessory designers, giving them a lofty space on the bottom floor of Partnership Tower just in time for the Super Bowl. The 13 artisans create everything from handmade leather goods to colorful, globally-inspired dresses. Most of the designers chosen for LAUNCH don’t have a brick-and-mortar presence, so LAUNCH is the ideal space to elevate their brands while reflecting the city.

    “Houston is a melting pot and Houston First wanted designers that mirror the city. The designers chosen for LAUNCH are high quality and have a sophisticated style,” Dao said during a tour of the pop-up shop. “LAUNCH is an incubator for the creative community, coupling economic potential with creative talent.”

    Dao curated the 13 designers for LAUNCH and considered everything from accessible inventory to design aesthetic. LAUNCH designer collections include Chloe Dao, RongRong Devoe, Onyii, La Mochi, Temple Street, A Leap of Style, Marilyn Biles, Kisa Kisa, Stateline Designs, Brenda Grands, Claire Drennan and Stash.

    Each collection is focused on the handmade art of design and is hyperlocal. Claire Drennan Knitwear is hand-loomed on vintage knitting machines in Houston’s East End while Stateline Designs are hand-printed. Anna Mae Holmes Temple Street jewelry collection includes the aptly named Westheimer piece, a druzy stone and gold-dipped chain necklace with mini-tassels.

    “I just feel like it encompasses the spirit of Houston in just one piece,” Holmes said.

    The spirit of Houston is exactly what Houston First public relations manager Leah Shah envisioned when working with Dao on the project.

    “These artisans speak to the diversity of the city and this is the perfect launch pad to showcase that talent,” Shah said.

    LAUNCH is open through February 26. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Parking is available across the street and throughout the area and the MetroRail Green line runs along the Houston Partnership Tower.

    Artist Marilyn Biles transfers her paintings to silk and cashmere scarves.

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    LEATHER & LUXE

    Heritage leather brand opens appointment-only boutique in River Oaks

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Aug 20, 2026 | 10:30 am
    Ghurka
    Photo courtesy of Ghurka
    Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

    The heritage leather brand Ghurka recently opened a River Oaks boutique that offers custom clothing for men and women, a rare find in Houston’s luxury market.

    For more than 50 years, Ghurka has built a reputation for beautifully crafted leather goods. Now, Houstonians have a new way to experience its collections.

    Its new River Oaks boutique, one of only two brick-and-mortar outposts in the country, brings the label’s signature leather collection together with custom clothing and private styling, creating a personal shopping experience.

    At the appointment-only store, clients can shop for leather bags and accessories while also working one-on-one with an advisor to create custom tailoring, shirting, knitwear, and other pieces curated to their specific needs and lifestyle. Houstonians will also be among the first to see Ghurka's expanded clothing offering with the debut of the Fall/Winter 2026 custom collection.

    “For us, the decision to open in Houston really came down to people and relationships,” Glenn Pollack, chairman and CEO of Ghurka, tells CultureMap. “Ghurka has a meaningful history here and longstanding relationships with people who know the brand and what it stands for. As we considered returning to physical retail, we wanted to start in markets where we had the right talent, the right relationships, and a strong foundation to build on. Houston gave us all three.”

    Ghurka Ghurka's appointment-only River Oaks boutique is located at 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 185. Appointments are available online. Photo courtesy of Ghurka

    Founded in Connecticut in 1975, Ghurka's main focus is on leather goods designed to improve with time and wear. Its product range run the gamut from bags and backpacks to wallets, belts, and accessories. The brand is now applying that successful philosophy to clothing, with a focus on premium materials, durable construction, and pieces designed around the individual rather than trends.

    Clients can work with a Gurkha advisor to decide what they need from their wardrobes before choosing fabrics, silhouettes, proportions, and bespoke details. Each piece is fully custom and finished by hand and according to Pollack, the goal of the appointment-only Houston boutique is to provide shoppers with a complete experience and a personalized level of attention.

    “For us, custom clothing is ultimately about the individual rather than a particular gender,” Pollack said. “The same principles that have guided Ghurka for more than fifty years translate naturally into clothing. Offering custom for both men and women allows us to create a much more complete and personal relationship with our clients.”

    ----

    Ghurka Houston, 3701 W. Alabama St., Suite 185. Appointments are available through ghurka.com.


    Ghurka

    Photo courtesy of Ghurka

    Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

    custom clothes in houstonriver oaks shoppingluxury brand houstonshoppingghurka houston
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