Fashion Houston Lineup

From New York to H-Town: Fashion Houston lineup includes runway winners

Several top designers who will be showing their spring 2014 looks at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in a few days are headed to Houston.

Fashion Houston has released a stellar lineup of eclectic international designers who will appear before the city's fashion faithful at the Wortham Theater Center Nov. 12-15. Organizers are also in serious negotiations with a premier U.S. designer to bring his collection to the Bayou City for the fall fashion extravaganza and hope to make that announcement soon.

Among those confirmed to hit the Houston runway with collections directly from New York are:

Rebecca Taylor

The New Zealand-born designer is known for feminine styles with soft silhouettes, sophisticated detailing, unconventional color combinations and unique embellishment. Among her celebrity clients are Alexa Chung, Reese Witherspoon, Rashida Jones and Emmy Rossum. Taylor has added shoes, handbags and jewelry to her growing fashion empire.

Sophie Theallet

Influenced by Jean-Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaïa, both of whom she worked closely with, the French-born designer launched her label in 2007. Two years later she won the coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award. Her designs are known for subtle sexiness and style. First lady Michelle Obama is among her fans.

Yigal Azrouël

Born and raised in Israel of French-Moroccan descent, Azrouël launched his women's wear label in 1998. Known for ultra-feminine, modern styles and expert draping, he added a contemporary line called Cut25 in 2010. He will show both collections at Fashion Houston.

Bibhu Mohapatra

Born and raised on the east coast of India, Mohapatra was design director for J. Mendel before launching his own label in 2009. Known for sumptuous eveningwear in eye-catching colors, he previously made an appearance at Fashion Houston in 2011.

Nicole Miller

A 30-year fashion industry veteran, Miller is known for sexy, yet classic, styles in bold colors and futuristic fabrics. She designs several high-end collections that are favorites of such celebrities as Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Joss Stone and Jordin Sparks. as well as a more moderately-priced collection for JC Penney. With Texas roots (she was born in Fort Worth before her family moved to Massachusettes), she was a big hit at the recent Women of Wardrobe fundraiser at Tootsies.

Also on the Fashion Houston schedule are South African-born designer Catherine Deane, a rising star in evening couture and bridal gowns; Talbot Runhof, an American/German duo known for creating womenʼs resort and sportswear in bright hues and whimsical patterns, London-based designer Marios Schwab, Wall Street investor-turned-menswear designer Zachary Prell, and Chris Knott for Peter Millar, a distinctive menswear collection emphasizing classic American style.

Local favorites David Peck and Chloe Dao will also showcase their collections as well as Episcopal High School student Amir Taghi, who will be showing in the emerging designer category.

Tickets for Fashion Houston 2013 go on sale Sept. 10. Tickets range in price from $24 - $274, with VIP ticket upgrades available. Visit FashionHouston.net for more information.

Yigal Azrouel

Courtesy of Fashion Houston

Yigal Azrouel

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be well

3 hot wellness studios move swiftly into new Heights development

Courtesy of Radom Capital

The Swift BLDG is expected to open in late 2026.

A new mixed-use development in the Heights has announced its next round of tenants. Three wellness businesses are coming to The Swift BLDG, Houston developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners’ project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail.

They are:

SweatHouz, a contrast therapy studio
Strong Pilates Studio
The Skin Clinic, a Houston-based aesthetics and skincare destination

Scheduled to open in winter 2026, SweatHouz will offer infrared saunas, cold plunges, and other protocols to improve a person’s well-being. The protocols are focused on areas such as athletic recovery, reducing stress, improving circulation, mental health, and longevity. In addition, it will offer a beauty bar equipped with Dyson hot tolls and a beverage station stocked with different waters.

Building on the success of its Katy location that opened last year, Strong Pilates Studio will occupy 2,500 square feet in the Swift BLDG. Using Rowformer and Bikeformer machines, customers have the opportunity to take classes in Strong Body, Strong Loaded, and Strong Pilates-Only. It’s expected to open in the fall.

“Our method blends strength, cardio, and reformer-based training into one, delivering real results in just 45 minutes. This isn’t just Pilates — it’s a new standard for fitness in Houston. And a community that sweats together stays strong,” franchisee Mona Hussein-Zaki said in a statement.

Currently located in M-K-T, the Skin Clinic will more than double its footprint by relocated to the Swift BLDG. The clinic’s services focus on skin health and rejuvenation. It also expected to open in the fall.

“The response from this community has been incredible, and Swift gives us the room to grow into what our patients have been asking for: more space, more services, and the same patient-centered care that got us here." founder Kelli Nwuli said.

All three businesses join previously announced tenants such as Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, premium juice bar Leemoo, Merit Coffee, and Houston Tex-Mex staple Escalante’s.

On track to open to the public in fall 2026, The Swift BLDG will offer more than 30,000 square feet of office space along with 30,000 square feet of restaurant and retail tenants. The two companies previously partnered on M-K-T, the Heights mixed-use development that’s near the Swift project. Radom is known for a number of other Houston developments, including the Montrose Collective and the historic Tower Theater property and its adjacent buildings.

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