Retail Therapy

Lady Gaga agrees: When it comes to hats, Philip Treacy is tops

Philip Treacy created the hat that Lady Gaga wore to the Grammys
During a recent appearance at Neiman Marcus, Philip Treacy gets to work. To seemore amazing hats click on Slideshow.
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
A Philip Treacy hat is always eye-catching.
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Treacy also found time to pal around with his good friend, Lynn Wyatt
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
The show included these fancy creations
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Here's the line-up for the "hat" show at Neiman Marcus.
Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Couture milliner Philip Treacy thinks American women can learn a stylish lesson from their European counterparts. Don’t wait for Derby Days or Easter to don a hat. Instead make every day a special occasion.

In between outfitting the always eye-catching Lady Gaga in her architecturally heavy Grammy hat (he collaborated with Giorgio Armani who designed Gaga’s shimmering Armani Prive gown) and preparing for the ready-to-wear shows, Treacy fit in a Texas trip. Fresh off art directing Grace Jones’ world tour, Treacy gave an adoring Neiman Marcus crowd of Houston hat-wearers a peek at spring. Colors reached across the spectrum from pale to hot pink and designs were equally as broad. Wide-brimmed hats gave way to what could best be described as a satellite dish with a sprig of flowers in the middle.

“Women who are conservative dressers can add something extra with a hat,” Treacy said. “Hat wearers are really misunderstood because people assume they are extroverts when actually they are shy and hats give them confidence.”

It does take a certain amount of je ne sais quoi to don some of his more beautifully outlandish toppers (think Sarah Jessica Parker’s green floral number from the Sex and the City premiere) but as he says, he designs for housewives and royalty alike.

“Hats are a personal choice and really give a person the chance to assert their sense of independence,” Treacy says. Surprisingly, clients such as Lady Gaga and Grace Jones allow Treacy to have free reign.

“Lady Gaga is definitely interesting but she chooses from what I make,” he says. The duo have developed a strong rapport and Treacy is collaborating with her for her concert tour in London.

For the rest of us, Treacy also designs ready-to-wear hats and says once you’ve put on a hat, don’t take it off. “You wouldn’t take your underwear off at an event would you? You miss the whole point if you take it off,” Treacy says.

His hats will next be seen on the runway at the Valentino and Alexander McQueen shows because as he says, “glamour is the ultimate accessory.”

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BETTER WITH BESTIES

Ultimate Houston Galentine's Day Guide: 10 ways to celebrate friendship

Photo courtesy of The Healthy Museum

Enjoy an offbeat Galentine's Day experience at The Health Museum.

Move over, Valentine's Day — there's a different holiday in town, and it's all about the gals. Thanks to Parks and Recreation's beloved Leslie Knope, Galentine's Day has become the ultimate excuse to ditch romance and celebrate besties everywhere. Since its debut just 14 years ago, this February 13 tradition has exploded, and the Bayou City is fully embracing it.

Whether it's floral workshops, heart dissections (yes, really), or belting out Taylor Swift lyrics, the city is serving up fun and unique ways to honor friendship. There's no shortage of entertaining and downright delicious ways to make this Galentine's Day one to remember. As for that other holiday, don't miss CultureMap's picks for quirky Valentine's Day dates and more than 20 Houston restaurants serving special Valentine's Day menus.

Eat, shop, and support small businesses at the Texas Bonita Market
On February 8, from 11 am to 4 pm, the Texas Bonita Market is bringing its seasonal shopping extravaganza to the one-of-a-kind Navigation Esplanade in Houston's East End. This must-shop seasonal market features small businesses, including local brands, handmade items, unique artisanal items, and delicious food.

Bloom with your besties at the Galentine's Day floral workshop at POST
Grab your best pals and celebrate Galentine's Day on February 8 from 2 pm to 4 pm with a Barbie-inspired floral arranging workshop led by one of the talented lead designers at Freedom Floral. All supplies and flowers are included, and guests get to take home a flower recipe card to recreate the look again and again. Everyone at this BYOB workshop will take home a beautiful arrangement and lots of memories.

Get totally fetch at Theater Under the Stars' Mean Girls
Now through February 9, catch a hilarious performance of Mean Girls at Houston Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tina Fey's iconic teen comedy was transformed into a Broadway hit musical with high school drama and catchy tunes perfect for Galentine's Day.

Enjoy petals and pours at Monkey's Tail
Join Monkey's Tail for their third annual I Can Buy Myself Flowers event on Tuesday, February 11, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Monkey's Tail is teaming up with Mas Flora for an evening of flower arranging and cocktails made with Black Bar Spirits and Simple Vodka. Mas Flora will guide guests through creating a gorgeous bouquet. All supplies and one cocktail are included.

Galentine's Day glam at Léránt
Léránt is hosting a special Galentine's Day pop-up on Wednesday, February 12, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Treat yourself to fabulous home decor and gifts at this pop-up featuring permanent jewelry boutique Link x Lou and the ever-stylish Tutu Cute by Jacqueline Smooke.

Unleash your inner surgeon with a Galentine's Day heart dissection
Gal pals can join the fun at Galentine's Heartstrings on Thursday, February 13, from 5:30–8 pm at The Houston Health Museum. Enjoy an evening of light bites, charcuterie, unlimited beer and wine, a signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic drinks, followed by a guided interactive heart dissection led by Dr. Varsha Podduturi, Deputy Medical Examiner at the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner's Office. Guests can also access all The Health Museum exhibits and complimentary parking in the museum's surface lot.

Swifties unite for a "ValenTays" trivia night
Taylor Swift fans, this one's for the Mastermind. On February 13 at 7 pm, Little Woodrow's Bellaire will host a "ValenTays" Edition Taylor Swift Trivia Night, where knowledge of lyrics, albums, and iconic moments will be put to the test. Teams will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate all things T-Swift with fellow fans. Expect an evening filled with friendly competition, themed questions, and plenty of Eras Tour-level excitement.

Bingo with besties at FM Kitchen & Bar
Join FM Kitchen & Bar for Galentine's Day Bingo on Thursday, February 13. The Galentine's Day Bingo starts at 7 pm and will have drink specials and prizes, including gift cards from Amazon, Pudgy's Fine Cookies, Tenfold Coffee, Starbucks, and goodie bags by Sudor Sauna or the grand prize, a Ninja Creamy.

Raise the roof at a sky-high karaoke and movie night
This Galentine's Day, at Rooftop Cinema Uptown, besties will be belting out tunes with the friends who've seen them through every bad date and questionable outfit choice. On February 13, start the night with Rooftop Karaoke, then head to the cinema for 13 Going on 30.

Relax and Rejuvenate at The Ozone Bar
Looking for a Galentine's Day to remember? Book a treatment at The Ozone Bar, then rest, relax, and enjoy the incredible health benefits of ozone and infrared therapies with a gal pal. Choose from Ozone Sauna, Infrared Sauna, DermaShape, and HOCATT treatments. Request the connecting Ozone Sauna room to spend time together and take turns in the infrared sauna or getting a HOCATT treatment.

Photo courtesy of The Healthy Museum

Enjoy an offbeat Galentine's Day experience at The Health Museum.

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