A fashion first

Inside Dolce & Gabbana's private couture show: Becca Cason Thrash tells all,mingles with Scarlett Johansson

Isabella Rossellini, Scarlett Johansson, Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour wereamong the first to see Dolce & Gabbana's first couture collectiion.
Photo by Cameron Silver/Fashionista
Domenico Dolce and Becca Cason Thrash visit at the dinner in Taormina, Sicily.
Photo by Mary Ellen Marziale
The San Domenico Palaca Hotel in Sicily was setting for three days of headycelebrations.
Photo by Cameron Silver/Fashionista
Hand-painted organiza gowns were among the stunning offerings.
Photo by Cameron Silver/Fashionista

No media — other than Vogue editors, including Anna Wintour —were allowed inside the San Domenico Palace Hotel in Taormina, Sicily, Monday night for the heady launch of Dolce & Gabbana's premiere haute couture collection. But Houston had its own fashionable set of eyes and ears taking in the extraordinary happening.

Becca Cason Thrash was among the international coterie of 200 friends, clients and celebrities invited for three days of glorious celebrations that have even that sophisticated jet setter swooning. The festivities were hosted by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

"John (Thrash) couldn't come due to biz and I invited Mary Ellen Marziale to be my guest," Becca emailed from Sicily Tuesday morning. "We are both reeling over the splendor of it all."

The introduction of Alta Moda, as the new line is called, took place in the gardens of the luxurious hotel built around a 15th century monastery. The show began in the chapel courtyard where notables including Scarlett Johansson, Isabella Rosselinni, Hamish Bowles, Stephanie Seymour and Cameron Silver of Los Angeles were seated in sofas and overstuffed chairs.

"We are both reeling over the splendor of it all."

Becca reported, "The show featured baroque lace pieces, hand-painted dresses and medieval beading."

The fashion blog Fashionista quoted Franca Sozzani, writing for Vogue Italia blog, "The whole show was skillfully directed like a movie . . . A jovial and entertaining night. And serene, without the pressure that sometimes official events make you feel."

Becca continued her report, writing that after the formal presentation, guests moved through the resplendent gardens where additional models in "grand ball gowns of white organza, all hand-painted" were placed like "heavenly sculptures."

The chichi group, numbering under 200, sat for dinner on the richly-landscaped grounds of the hotel. "The orchestra and sopranos provided music synonymous with Sicilian opera. Not a single detail went without precise scrutiny by the two designers themselves," she wrote. "At dinner's end, we made our way to an outdoor disco with rugs scattered and a gypsy conga line to transport us to our final venue of the unforgettable evening."

The first night, guests were teated to dinner alfresco complete with fireworks choreographed to music, "unlike anything I had ever seen." Tuesday night, the group attends an outdoor performance of Norma and then celebrates the grand Alta Moda launch with a midnight dinner.

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LEATHER & LUXE

Heritage leather brand opens appointment-only boutique in River Oaks

Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

The heritage leather brand Ghurka recently opened a River Oaks boutique that offers custom clothing for men and women, a rare find in Houston’s luxury market.

For more than 50 years, Ghurka has built a reputation for beautifully crafted leather goods. Now, Houstonians have a new way to experience its collections.

Its new River Oaks boutique, one of only two brick-and-mortar outposts in the country, brings the label’s signature leather collection together with custom clothing and private styling, creating a personal shopping experience.

At the appointment-only store, clients can shop for leather bags and accessories while also working one-on-one with an advisor to create custom tailoring, shirting, knitwear, and other pieces curated to their specific needs and lifestyle. Houstonians will also be among the first to see Ghurka's expanded clothing offering with the debut of the Fall/Winter 2026 custom collection.

“For us, the decision to open in Houston really came down to people and relationships,” Glenn Pollack, chairman and CEO of Ghurka, tells CultureMap. “Ghurka has a meaningful history here and longstanding relationships with people who know the brand and what it stands for. As we considered returning to physical retail, we wanted to start in markets where we had the right talent, the right relationships, and a strong foundation to build on. Houston gave us all three.”

Ghurka Ghurka's appointment-only River Oaks boutique is located at 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 185. Appointments are available online. Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Founded in Connecticut in 1975, Ghurka's main focus is on leather goods designed to improve with time and wear. Its product range run the gamut from bags and backpacks to wallets, belts, and accessories. The brand is now applying that successful philosophy to clothing, with a focus on premium materials, durable construction, and pieces designed around the individual rather than trends.

Clients can work with a Gurkha advisor to decide what they need from their wardrobes before choosing fabrics, silhouettes, proportions, and bespoke details. Each piece is fully custom and finished by hand and according to Pollack, the goal of the appointment-only Houston boutique is to provide shoppers with a complete experience and a personalized level of attention.

“For us, custom clothing is ultimately about the individual rather than a particular gender,” Pollack said. “The same principles that have guided Ghurka for more than fifty years translate naturally into clothing. Offering custom for both men and women allows us to create a much more complete and personal relationship with our clients.”

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Ghurka Houston, 3701 W. Alabama St., Suite 185. Appointments are available through ghurka.com.

Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

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