Shop Talk

Galleria shakeup: Henri Bendel heads to Houston as Christian Dior exits andLouis Vuitton expands

Henri Bendel is aiming for a June 22 opening at The Galleria.
While Louis Vuitton is expanding, the women's department will temporarily locateto the former Dior location.
The Galleria's newest store: Porsche Design

Houston seems to be a Louis Vuitton-kind of town. But not so much Dior.

The French luxury retailer Vuitton, known for distinctive luggage and handbags as well as womenswear designed by Marc Jacobs, is doubling the space in its Galleria location, including a VIP salon and an entrance from Westheimer. The expansion is expected to start soon and last into the new year. During construction, the Vuitton women's department will relocate to the former space occupied by Christian Dior and the men's department will move into a space behind Kate Spade.

Henri Bendel will feature an archway modeled after the legendary Fifth Avenue flagship store, custom-made chandeliers and the iconic brown and white stripe on walls, shopping bags and hat boxes.

The Dior store, which opened in The Galleria with a big splash in 2004, recently closed without much fanfare. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the parent company of both designer labels along with Fendi, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Bulgari and De Beers among others, did not immediately return a request for comment.

A Houston retail source, who asked not to be identified, said the Louis Vuitton store generates much more traffic and sales than Dior, so the move could be a strategic decision by LVMH to concentrate on the brand with more potential.

Noted New York luxury retailer Henri Bendel is also headed to The Galleria. The new store, in a space previously occupied by Jessica McClintock (which has also closed its Houston store), will feature an archway modeled after the legendary Fifth Avenue flagship store, custom-made chandeliers and the iconic brown and white stripe on walls, shopping bags and hat boxes. The store will feature handbags, jewelry and gifts.

Other new Galleria stores include Porsche Design, featuring classic men's sunglasses, watches, luggage and accessories; Sperry, featuring the famous Top-Sider boat shoes; and Robert Graham, the second national store for the maker of distinctive menswear.

Tommy Bahama plans to open a second Houston-area store in the Galleria on June 16, with a celebration featuring live music, refreshments, gifts with purchase and drawing for $100 gift cards from noon to 4 p.m. The retailer, which specializes in luxury lifestyle clothing and accessories, operates a popular clothing store/restaurant in The Woodlands.

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A Clear Choice

Texas handbag brand Consuela debuts clear collection for stadium use

Photo courtesy of Consuela

These bags fashionably comply with stadium rules.

Transparency is key for this new stadium-friendly product line by Austin handbag brand Consuela. The new line recreates the brand's top-selling silhouettes in a clear material that makes them easy to carry at venues with long security lines.

This is the first time Consuela has produced clear bags, press materials say.

It's certainly possible to pack any small bag and spend a minute on a security check at the gate, but if attendees want to carry more, sometimes venues require a clear bag; at Reliant Stadium, for example, a non-see-through bag can only be four-and-a-half inches by six-and-a-half inches or smaller.

Conseula clear bags You don't have to put bags in the "tool bag" silhouette.Photo courtesy of Consuela

Each clear Consuela bag has a bit of personality thanks to a printed, opaque strip of material across the top and a colorful strap that's interchangeable for different carrying styles: wearing the bag crossbody, on the shoulder, or as a clutch. Leather accents also elevate each piece, which contains interior pockets, a credit card holder, and a removable piece that gives the base structure or, when it's removed, allows the bag to collapse.

With three shapes and three patterns or colorways, there are nine distinct bags in the collection. The largest style is 11 inches by nine and a quarter inches, with a three-inch depth. Two smaller styles are more clutch-sized. The top material can show off a colorful paisley-like design, leopard print, or an understated cream leather to match the rest of the trim.

Conseula clear bags Grouping items in smaller cases can make a clear bag look neater.Photo courtesy of Consuela

The new collection ($125-235) is available now at consuelastyle.com. Shoppers can also check the bags out in person at Consuela's Katy store at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard. Other retailers selling Consuela bags can be found through the brand's store locator.

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A Clear Choice

Texas handbag brand Consuela debuts clear collection for stadium use