First in Texas

H&M opens Dallas store, confirms plans for Houston expansion

Color greeted shoppers at H&M.
Heather Staible
Houstonian Beth Zimmerman and her now famous "Pizza Face" shirts.
Heather Staible
Look familiar?
Heather Staible
Beth Zimmerman autographing a shirt for a fan.
Heather Staible
Lines and air kisses at NorthPark Center.
Heather Staible
How to wear a headband H&M style.
Heather Staible

H&M finally made its appearance in the Lone Star State to a packed house in Dallas’ NorthPark Center Wednesday. It was a scene of frenetic shopping and quick air kisses, as long lines snaked throughout the two-story 23,000 square foot store and passersby practically begged to be allowed on the red carpet and into the store.

The entire first floor of H&M caters to women and that’s where I chatted with Houstonian and H&M contest winner Beth Zimmerman about her “Pizza Face” T-shirt. At the urging of her boyfriend, Zimmerman, a studio art major at the University of Texas, entered her “Pizza Face” painting. After H&M shoppers voted for her concept, Zimmerman went before a panel of fashion industry experts who also loved her idea.

H&M’s West Coast public relations manager Pansy Tolou says Houston will indeed be getting an H&M. The details of where and when are still hush-hush, though.

“It was this random idea. I have painting of me holding donuts or drinking beer in unexpected ways,” Zimmerman says. “It’s so exciting.”

She was later spotted signing her shirts for shoppers and it certainly made me wonder, what were the odds a Houston artist would be among the hundreds of people at the opening?

Is it a sign? Does that mean Houston is destined to have an H&M of its own?

Well, yes. But not just yet.

H&M’s West Coast public relations manager Pansy Tolou says Houston will indeed be getting an H&M. The details of where and when are still hush-hush, though.

“Once we open in a market we expand fairly quickly,” Tolou says. “When we look at cities to go into, we look at location and layout of the city. Dallas is a big city and we had to find the right space.”

The location in the upscale NorthPark Center feels a lot like The Galleria, which leads one to think an H&M would be a natural fit, especially since foot traffic is one factor the company takes into consideration when expanding.

H&M merchandisers also pondered the lengthy warm season in Texas and made sure there were lightweight blouses and dresses along with the smart trench coats and sweaters. The '70s revival is alive and well, with plenty of billowy tops and flare pants. Shades of orange, lots of navy and a Navajo print were among the women’s offerings.

Upstairs, the men’s department offered everything from polished dandy to downtown hipster and while the girls section was cute, parents of boys take note-for once there were plenty of options for the little man in your house.

So even though we don’t have much more information about the when and where a local H&M will appear in Houston, at least we know it’s coming. Until then, I-45 may be packed with locals wanting a cheap chic fix.

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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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