High/Low shopping
Fast fashion gets a boost as Forever 21 plans big Galleria store in Borderslocation
Houston shoppers seeking a high/low fashion experience in one mall just got more to choose from because fast fashion retailer Forever 21 is headed to The Galleria.
The southern California chain, which specializes in direct-from-the-runway-inspired merchandise produced inexpensively and quickly, plans a mammoth 26,997-square-foot store on two levels in the former Borders space. Forever 21 is also known for its distinctive shopping bags with "John 3:16" imprinted on the bottom as a "demonstration of the owners' Christian faith," according to a spokesman.
Sometimes the copies of designer wear look a little too much like the original as Anna Sui, Diane von Furstenberg and Anthropologie have all filed lawsuits for copyright infringement against Forever 21.
Forever 21 currently operates 11 stores in the Houston area, including gigantic stores in Baybrook Mall and Woodlands Mall as well as XXI Forever stores in the Pavilions in downtown Houston, Memorial City Mall, Willowbrook Mall and Katy Mills Mall.
Sometimes the copies of designer wear look a little too much like the original as Anna Sui, Diane von Furstenberg and Anthropologie, along with indie designers Moriah Carlson and Alice Wu of Ferale Child, have all filed lawsuits for copyright infringement against Forever 21. The Ferale Child suit continues while the others were settled out of court.
Forever 21 joins such fast fashion chains as Zara and A'GACI who share the Galleria with Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Gucci and other high-end luxury boutiques for the trendy shopper who might mix a $9.95 blouse with a pair of $400 flats.
With the Galleria Forever 21 slated to open late this year, the only thing missing from the mammoth shopping mall is an H&M. No word if the Swedish retailer and Galleria owner Simon Properties will ever work out a deal.