Fashion Game On

Local company ups the sporting apparel game offering team gear in high style

It’s hard to dress for sporting events without sacrificing style. Running Game Clothing might just have the answer to that fashion challenge.

The Houston-based company specializes in sports apparel that’s upping the fashion game for Houston Texans, Rockets, and Astros fans.

Kicking off the 2016 football season, Running Game Clothing launched its new line of game day gear this month, available now on the company’s website. “We don’t follow fashion seasons, like fall or winter. We follow sports seasons,” company co-founder Travis Drake notes.

The new collection takes its sporting roots seriously, with tank tops and jersey shirts for both men and women, brandishing slogans including “Tailgates and Touchdowns”, “Hustle Town,” and "Is It Sunday Yet?"

Throw on a T-shirt with leggings for a tailgate outing. A fitted tee under a blazer makes for casual office attire, transitioning seamlessly from daytime to game time.

Apparel is made of a high-quality, extra soft poly/cotton blend as well as an eco-friendly semi-organic poly/cotton blend, all preshrunk and made to hold up through multiple wears and washes.

Accessories include posters and caps available in a range of colors, including red, navy, and gray, with hand-stitched embroidery and mottos from “Bulls on Parade” to “The H-Town Republic.”

Running Game Clothing counts Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown, Houston Astros right fielder George Springer and pitcher Collin McHugh, and rapper Bun B amongst its fans, as well as former Texans lineman Chris Myers, who partnered with the company in 2014 on the DQ Strong line created to help raise money for Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry in his fight against cancer.

All hailing from Houston, company founders Travis Drake, Austin Drake, Bryan Dunlap and Adam Puskorius, who is also chef and owner of Stoked Tacos & Tequila in Midtown, started Running Game Clothing in 2012. “The whole reason we got started is we got sick of going to Academy and buying a $50 Nike shirt that you don’t like but has the team logo on it,” Drake explains.

Although the entire staff pitches in, Drake, who studied graphic design at Texas State, is the creative force behind Running Game Clothing’s designs, inspired by such organizations as the NFL, MLB, and NBA. “We pull references from slogans and from what’s happening with each team. Our guys go to just about every football game and they keep their ears to the ground.”

Future plans include pieces for cooler temperatures (think hoodies and jackets) and designs for Houston Dynamo and Houston Cougars fans.

Also in the works: The company is looking to expand into the San Antonio and Dallas markets, giving Spurs and Cowboys fans something fashionable to cheer about.

Shop for items on the company’s website. Prices range from $19.99-$24.99 for apparel and $9.99-$19.99 for posters.

Running Game Clothing counts Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown, Houston Astros right fielder George Springer and pitcher Collin McHugh, and rapper Bun B amongst its fans.

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ETHEREAL ELEGANCE

Luxe Latin American brand taps Houston to debut new spring/summer line

Photo courtesy of Agua by Agua Bendita/Facebook

Colombian-based brand, Agua by Agua Bendita, chose Houston for the debut of its Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

Colombian-based luxury brand Agua by Agua Bendita is expanding into North America and has hand-picked Houston for the debut of its Spring/Summer 2025 Collection. The only Latin American clothing brand chosen to participate in the Gucci Vault program, Agua by Agua Bendita, which launched in 2021, is known for its hand-embroidered fabrics and ethereal aesthetic.

Friends and fashion design students Mariana Hinestroza and Catalina Alvarez began their ready-to-wear clothing line over 20 years ago by making swimsuits from leftover fabric scraps in Medellin. The founders then partnered with local artisans and developed a more luxurious concept with hand-embroidered fabrics and an "always on vacation" resort line.

Agua by Agua Bendita has grown a large following over the past few years and has garnered the attention of not only Gucci, but also Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Women's Wear Daily. The brand partnered with South to North to host a year-long pop-up in Highland Park Village in Dallas last year, and during that time, they discovered that Houston is the key sales driver in the Texas region.

"Texas has always been a strong market for us, with an incredibly engaged customer base that truly connects with our brand DNA. We had a pop-up in Dallas last year that was run by Alejandra Bravo and Luisa Babarczy of South to North, and it was a total success," Lina Segura, U.S. retail executive for Agua by Agua Bendita, tells CultureMap. "But Houston, in particular, stands out because of its diversity, vibrant energy, and deep appreciation for fashion, making it the perfect place to showcase our beautiful pieces. Being in Dallas allowed us to interact with Houston, and we've seen the great value this market has."

Agua by Agua Bendita, the beloved Colombian brand known for its hand-embroidered artistry and deep reverence for Latin American culture, will debut is Spring/Summer collection in Houston. Photo courtesy of Agua by Agua Bendita/Facebook

Located in Autry Park, South to North will host the Spring/Summer 2025 collection for one week beginning on Tuesday, April 15. South to North's Houston and Austin locations are dedicated to showcasing a selection of globally recognized luxury brands that best exemplify Latin American designers' artistry, heritage, and craftsmanship. Many of the brands found in their shops are in the Texas market for the first time.

"Their space reflects a thoughtful and curated vision that aligns beautifully with our brand, so partnering with them feels only natural," said Segura. "No one in Texas is doing what they are doing at the level they are, and honestly, partners like them are hard to find at a national level."

The latest collection from Agua by Agua Bendita is inspired by the beauty of nature's awakening in spring and features soft colors, airy fabrics, and newly inspired silhouettes. "From intricately embroidered dresses to luxurious swimwear, pareos, and sets crafted in fine fabrics like pearl linen and silk faille, each piece blends timeless elegance with a sense of lightness, perfect for sunny escapes and everyday moments," said Segura.

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South to North, 3711 Autry Park Dr. #200; (210) 593-8506