Lucky Charms

Elaine Turner creates Southern Charm Bar with build-your-own necklaces that inspire and empower

For a lot of people, charms have always felt lucky. Elaine Turner believes a charm necklace can allow a woman to showcase her roots, be empowered, and inspire others.

So the Houston-based accessory designer has introduced the Southern Charm Bar in her nine retail stores. Customers can choose from a wide array of jewels, ranging from smoky topaz to amethyst; traditional and funky charms, including an outline of the state of Texas, a Swarovski crystal Evil Eye or angel wing; and gold-plated mantra bars offering affirmations like "Believe," "Empower," "Inspire," and "Let Go."

Each bracelet or necklace can be as individual as the wearer and Turner donates 15 percent of all Southern Charm Bar proceeds to two charitable foundations each year. The first beneficiary is Houston-based Autism Rescue Angels, a charity Turner helped found with inspiration from her special needs daughter.

“There is a harsh financial reality of raising a special needs child. My goal is to provide assistance and relief for families who need it most,” Turner says. “Not only will proceeds from Southern Charm Bar benefit autism awareness and other worthy causes but each time a customer wears her necklace, she will be reminded of these extraordinary foundations.”

Customers can choose from two dainty gold chains — 18 inch or 22 inch at $24-$28 each — and mix in briolette stones ($28 each), charms ($28 - $42) and mantra bars ($32) to customize their own necklace.

Turner will launch the Southern Charm Bar at all four of her Houston stores on Wednesday, May 18, from 6-8 pm, with Southern-themed sips and light bites. Each store will have a fashion blogger who will style a bust with her favorite SCB pieces.

Lilly of Daily Craving will be at the flagship Rice Village store, Dede of Dress Up Buttercup will be at Market Street in The Woodlands, Elly of Uptown with Elly Brown will be at the BLVD Place store and Alice of The Lonestar Looking Glass will be at CityCentre.

Elaine Turner created the Southern Charm Bar to give her customers an opportunity to be creative and feel empowered.

Photo courtesy of Elaine Turner

Elaine Turner created the Southern Charm Bar to give her customers an opportunity to be creative and feel empowered.

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GUCCI GRANDEUR

Gucci unveils a new 2-story store with VIP lounge at the Houston Galleria

Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

Gucci's newest boutique recently opened and boasts two floors to offer a wider selection of the brand's luxury goods.

Gucci is expanding its footprint in Texas with a posh new boutique in the Galleria. The renowned Italian brand has cemented its luxury status in the Bayou City with a first-of-its-kind, two-story, 11,000-square-foot outpost that replaces a 4,100-square-foot boutique that opened in 2018.

On the ground floor, shoppers will be greeted with ready-to-wear women's clothing, shoes, and accessories. A custom-made Gucci Rossi Ancora staircase will lead customers to the upper floor, where they can pursue menswear, shoes, and the brand's Valigeria travel collection. The spacious upper floor also allows for displays of the coveted Gucci Blondie line and Gucci B bag presented with the current Fall-Winter and Cruise collections.

Gucci store Houston Galleria A staircase in Gucci's signature Rosso Ancora leads shoppers to the second floor. Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

The store's minimalistic decor further highlights the fashion house's collections. Nevertheless, there is no mistaking the Gucci aesthetic. Marble floors and acid green and yellow carpeting distinguish individual spaces, while furnishings by B&B Italia, Cassina, and Minotti paired with brushed steel countertops reflect the sleek, modern vision of Gucci's creative director, Sabato De Sarno.

One distinctive feature that sets this boutique apart from its predecessor is a VIP lounge for more private and personalized shopping. The boutique also showcases eco-friendly initiatives that follow LEED guidelines to promote energy efficiency.

Gucci store Houston Galleria Houston Galleria will be one of the first boutiques to open with Gucci’s latest store window concept, Endless Narratives.Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

Right now, the Houston store is one of the first to open with Gucci's latest window concept, Endless Narratives, a collaboration with renowned Italian artist Luca Pignatelli. The window display showcases the interplay between light, mirrors, and everyday objects, encouraging audiences to look deeper. On mirrored shelves, books, miniature statues, and replicas of Gucci's archival bookends, the curated design encourages audiences to see the objects and their reflections as a representation of Gucci's creative universe.

Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

Gucci's newest boutique recently opened and boasts two floors to offer a wider selection of the brand's luxury goods.

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