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

UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

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