Fashion Fete
Fashionistas rally, cash registers sing & bubbly flows at Henri Bendel opening
If wall-to-wall revelers and rivers of bubbly are any indication of a party's success, then Friday night's launch of Henri Bendel in the Galleria was a rollicking hit. Fashionistas poured into the 2,000 square-foot store for a first look at the dazzling array of baubles, beads and bags — the can't-live-without accessories that have put Henri Bendel on the map internationally.
So important was this opening that firm president Chris Fiore flew in for the festivities in the boutique dressed in the Henri Bendel signature brown-and-white stripe. He explained to CultureMap that the items in the store were selected specifically to spark the interest of the Houston shopper.
"The woman loves herself and loves to pamper herself, especially the Houston woman," Fiore said. "The jewelry we have represents the Houston woman so clearly."
And according at least one of the entranced shoppers mesmerized by the mountains of seductive earrings, necklaces and to-die-for handbangs, it seems like Fiori was right.
Lisa Luc said that it was her first time in Henri Bendel and she loved what it had to offer. "I am just shopping for some jewelry and I love everything," she said.
As the night went on, the partying throng became a crush as it was fanny-to-fanny fashion mavens. But no distracting these determined shoppers, who kept up the spirit and managed to wiggle their way through the packed aisles to find the items of their choice.
Other than shopping, the party fun centered around the digital photo booth where subjects were photographed against the Henri Bendel logo backdrop. Laughter and chatter filled the air as guests waited for their moment in front of the lens. And with the champagne flowing, this fashion crowd seemed to get a little tipsy while socializing in line.