introducing Frances Valentine

Eclectic New York fashion brand sets up colorful shop in River Oaks District

An acclaimed, New York-based lifestyle brand has just pegged Houston for its first Texas brick-and-mortar presence.

Frances Valentine, known for its vibrant colors and vintage aesthetic, will open in the tony River Oaks District ( 4444 Westheimer Rd., Suite H-105). The new store is slated to open the first week of September 2021, the company announced.

Representatives of Frances Valentine note that they identified Houston as a leading market for their growth, given heightened consumer demand and record e-commerce sales figures, per a press release.

“For years, Texas customers have been asking us to open a store in their home state,” CEO Elyce Arons tells CultureMap. “So, in February 2020, we hosted a trunk show in Houston and were overwhelmed by consumer turnout and excitement — our decision to open a storefront in the area was quickly solidified.”

“Though COVID caused a delay,” she continues, “we couldn’t be more thrilled to finally open our Houston doors. Like all our stores, we want this location to be a place where customers can come to gather with friends and feel like they stumbled upon new and exciting pieces each time they visit.”

This Houston launch, the brand’s fourth, follows buzzy boutique openings in New York City; Palm Beach, Florida; and Sag Harbor, New York. Frances Valentine was launched in 2016 by Arons, known in the industry as a “fashion powerhouse,” and her longtime friends Andy and Kate Spade. The trio crafted a line of eclectic vintage-modern clothing, footwear, and accessories.

Since then, women have flocked to targeted trunk shows, retail stores, and online for for one-of-a-kind, heirloom investment pieces.

As for the store, New York-based designer, Steven Sclaroff, will oversee a look that focuses on neutral fixtures with hand-selected vintage furnishings, a curated art collection of bold colorful pieces, and a midcentury chandelier in the central foyer, press materials note.

“It is the perfect new home for Frances Valentine,” Arons added in a statement, “we are so excited to open our first Texas location in Houston here at the District.”

Frances Valentine is known for eclectic looks.

Photo courtesy of Frances Valentine

Frances Valentine is known for eclectic looks.

openings shopping

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.”

----

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.

custom clothes in houston river oaks shopping luxury brand houston shopping ghurka houston