red-haute sale

Steal hot looks from Chanel, Gucci, and more at this annual Houston fashion frenzy

Get designer looks for up to 90 percent off.

Late-night shopping for haute looks for cheap online is fun and all (take The Real Real, for example), but nothing beats the ability to comb through racks and try on designer looks in person — especially when said designer looks are up to 90 percent off.

Such is the case with the wildly popular Chic Boutique, the annual fundraiser/fashion frenzy benefitting Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary. Savvy shoppers can practically steal luxe items from Chanel, Gucci, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and more with prices starting at $1 (yes, $1).

The beloved (and often jam-packed) event opens Wednesday, April 13 and runs through April 16 at the Chic Boutique showroom (Weslayan Plaza, 5510 Weslayan St.). Attendees pay a $20 donation at the door and then can make a beeline for couture, shoes, bags, and accessories offered up by the city’s best-dressed ladies.

Fierce fashionistas are advised to arrive early (many take the day of afternoon off, a local shopping tradition for many) as the merch goes fast. Even with items going for ridiculously low prices, a spokesperson for the event tells CultureMap that this year’s event may generate $1 million for the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.

Another big draw is the Auxiliary 2022 Reflections on Style Luncheon, Runway Show & Chic Boutique’s “The Art of Fashion” luncheon. This event honors Dorothy Nicholson on Tuesday, April 12 at River Oaks Country Club. Doors open at 10 am for shopping of new or gently worn pieces from the likes of Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Carolina Herrera, Escada, and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Luncheon co-chairs are Dodi Willingham and Laurel Bashaw. Chic Boutique co-chairs are Maggie Austin and Pam Sengelmann and Chic Boutique Showroom co-chairs are Sarah Burchfield and Frances Villagomez-Howard.

As for the Chic Boutique, some advice: Clear the calendar, dress comfortably, and get those credit cards ready — and be prepared to (politely) muscle for that Chanel purse.

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The Chic Boutique by the Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary, Weslayan Plaza, 5510 Weslayan St. Wednesday, April 13-Saturday, April 16. Hours are 10 am-5 pm. More information can be found on the official Facebook page.

new-york-fashion-week shopping

Stepping Up

RodeoHouston teams up with Texas bootmaker for limited edition collab

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Lane Boots

Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™

Each part of the boots ties back to the key elements of the HLSR.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) concert lineup has been announced, and concert tickets have gone on sale, which can only mean one thing – it is time to get rodeo ready. For 20 days in March, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is taking over the NRG Stadium complex, where Houstonians will display their best Western-inspired attire.

This year, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo collaborated with popular Texas-based brand Lane Boots on a one-of-a-kind limited edition collection. Muffy King, director of marketing for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, designed the boots with help from a team of experts at Lane Boots. Together, they looked at what is trending in existing boot designs and the fashion industry as a whole to come up with a unique look.

"It was important to us that the boot meant to celebrate the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo be representative of the 'Cowboy Core' aesthetic that is a major influence in fashion right now. These fundamental choices were a natural way for us to incorporate and represent our mission-driven pillar – Western Heritage," King tells CultureMap.

Each part of the boots ties back to the key elements of HLSR. The round braid on the sides represents the ropes used in competitions. The starburst effect around the star and the state of Texas symbolizes the lights on the RodeoHouston stage. The Texas on the back of the boot highlights HLSR's focus on supporting education in the Lone Star State. Departing from Lane's recognizable blue-soled boots, these feature a distinct orange sole with the HLSR logo stamped on the bottom, reflecting the branding seen across Texas ranches.

With designs for both men and women, the boots are exclusively available online. Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

"We wanted to showcase the unique feature Lane has become known for in Western fashion, but with our own Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo flare," said King. "For both the Rodeo and Lane Boots, this was a real testament to the partnership and collaboration that took place to make these boots a reality."

The boots were released online earlier this month, and according to King, they are "flying off the shelves quickly" and have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Lane Boots produced 2,025 pairs of boots at their factory in Leon, Mexico. Each pair has an individual stamp and a special message on the inside of the boot shaft.

"The story behind the boot naturally lends itself to being relatable to many individuals across all walks of life," King says. "It was a very seamless process that resulted in an aesthetic that allows whoever wearing them to incorporate their own story and personality into the boot."

With designs for both men and women, the boots are exclusively available online. If any inventory remains when the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins, they will be available at the Lane Boots location in NRG Center.

Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™

Each part of the boots ties back to the key elements of the HLSR.

boots western wear western style rodeo houston