Meet The Stylemakers

Meet the CultureMap Stylemakers semifinalists: Cast your vote now!

Houston, Stylemakers, September 2015, collage

CultureMap StyleMaker semifinalists represent a diverse array of styles and professions. Here are six of the 16 semifinalists. Read about all of them below.

Courtesy photo

Boy, does Houston have a lot of stylish men and women.

When we asked for nominations for the first CultureMap Stylemaker Awards, you responded in droves, nominating more than 135 stylish men and women in the Bayou City.

Then came the hard part.

A panel of judges had to narrow the pool to 16 deserving semifinalists.

There were many more than could have made the list, but after carefully considering each and every nominee, we present a list of men and women who represent a diverse array of styles and professions. Some have made an impact on the fashion business; others have simply impressed with their ability to make a fashion statement in any circumstance.

So take a look at this list, and then cast your vote. You can vote once a day, every day, through October 2. The top vote-getters will move into the final round to determine the readers’ choice. That person, along with the editors’ choice and your favorites, will be honored at the Stylemaker party at Tootsies in West Ave on October 14. To reserve your spot at the party, RSVP here.

Meet the Stylemaker semifinalists (listed in alphabetical order by last name) and then click here to vote:

Maryam Afshari

Occupation: Owner, Baanou Boutique

Website: baanou.com

Why Maryam deserves to be a Stylemaker: As a boutique owner, Maryam stays on top of not only what’s in fashion, but what will be. Her eclectic sense of style is reflected in the designers she seeks out for the store and her fashionable wardrobe.

Holly Alvis

Occupation: Program Manager at Robert and Janice McNair Foundation

Website: instagram.com/holllsa

Why Holly deserves to be a Stylemaker: Holly steps out with personal flair whether it’s to one of her beloved Houston Texans games or a charity function. She has a knack for getting it right and looking fabulous on every occasion.

Lindley Arnoldy

Occupation: Mom; Former Fashion Blogger

Website: instagram.com/lindleyarnoldy

Why Lindley deserves to be a Stylemaker: As a former blogger, Lindley remains devoted to fashion, with a unique expression of style that incorporates a host of of-the-moment designers.

Bill Baldwin

Occupation: Broker/Owner at Boulevard Realty

Website: yourblvd.com

Why Bill deserves to be a Stylemaker: Bill's style is as distinctive as his outgoing nature. His refined look, best described as "casual chic," reveals a modern perspective showcasing an on-the-go lifestyle.

Karina Barbieri

Occupation: Glamorous Mom/Philanthropist

Why Karina deserves to be a Stylemaker: A stylish mother of three, Karina captures attention when she walks into a room, looks stunning at all hours of the day, and is always wearing unique, elegant pieces that complement her figure beautifully.

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl

Occupation: Household CEO

Website: instagram.com/carriebd

Why Carrie deserves to be a Stylemaker: Carrie loves to break the fashion rules and always stands out at glamorous charity functions with her own unique sense of style. She is an expert at contrasting hard and soft looks, and knows black is always in fashion.

Valerie Dittner

Occupation: Creative Partner at Cheeky Vintage

Website: adornyourselfaccordingly.com

Why Valerie deserves to be a Stylemaker: Whether it's modern chic or vintage/retro, Valerie makes fashion fun and always turns heads when she enters a room with her classy style.

Mohammad Elsaadi

Occupation: Industrial Engineer

Website: instagram.com/_brohammad

Why Mohammed deserves to be a Stylemaker: Moe breaks the stereotype that engineers don't have a sense of style. A trendsetter with a taste for adventure, he is a social, outgoing young Houstonian with a modernly masculine sense of style.

Ryan O. Harris

Occupation: Creative Consultant

Website: instagram.com/messagemofo

Why Ryan deserves to be a Stylemaker: When it comes to style, Ryan is a risk taker. But he also believes that a clean shirt, a great blazer, crisp jeans and leather shoes can be the easiest and most attractive look to achieve. Ryan's not severe or overpowering, but he's never boring either.

Staci Henderson

Occupation: Philanthropist/Fundraiser

Website: instagram.com/Stacirh71

Why Staci deserves to be a Stylemaker: Staci believes that fashion is a wonderful way to express who you are or how you are feeling without saying a word. And while designer goods are fabulous, she has a great eye and sense of style that trumps money spent any day.

Bryce Kennard

Occupation: Comcast Communications Director

Website: instagram.com/bhkennard

Why Bryce deserves to be a Stylemaker: Bryce is a spiffy dresser who combines preppy sophistication with fashion chic. He is always well dressed whether in the board room, on the polo fields or just lounging around.

Alex Martinez

Occupation: Bon Vivant

Why Alex deserves to be a Stylemaker: Dividing his time between homes in Puerta Vallarta and Houston, Alex combines Latin flair with American sophistication. He can be whimsical or dashing, depending on his mood, but never sartorially disappointing.

Rekha Muddaraj

Occupation: Anchor at KHOU

Website: instagram.com/rmuddar

Why Rekha deserves to be a Stylemaker: A stylish working mom with a great eye for fashion, Rekha manages to keep up with the latest trends while juggling a busy family life and her duties as KHOU weekend anchor/reporter.

Fifi Phi

Occupation: Librarian and Fashion Blogger

Website: wewearthings.com (Contributor)

Why Fifi deserves to be a Stylemaker: Fifi combines classic and cutting edge looks, with a minimalist urban style that always stands out. Whether at the library or at a party, she gets noticed wherever she goes.

Claire Cormier-Thielke

Occupation: Analyst

Website: instagram.com/clairect

Why Claire deserves to be a Stylemaker: Claire's sense of fashion shines through in the office and on the charity circuit, where her tastes range from elegant to get-down-for-a-good-time looks.

Lyndsey Zorich

Occupation: Founder/President Youth Hope Association, Fashion Blogger

Website: lavenueblog.com

Why Lyndsey deserves to be a Stylemaker: With a busy life that includes motherhood and work with pediatric cancer patients, Lyndsey also writes regularly for the hip style blog, L. Avenue, that she founded and that showcases her eye for fashion.

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Click here to your vote. To reserve your spot at the party that celebrates the winners on October 14 at Tootsies, RSVP here.

stylemakers

TAILORED TRADITION

Cult-favorite French denim brand Chevignon makes U.S. debut in Houston

Photo courtesy of Chevignon

Chevignon’s Galleria boutique marks the brand’s first-ever store in the United States, launching its Texas-focused expansion plan.

Heritage denim brand Chevignon has arrived in Houston, introducing its cult-loved leather jackets and customizable jeans to a new boutique in the Galleria. Known for its rugged style, the French-born label is expanding its presence in the U.S. with a store designed to appeal to loyal brand aficionados and fashion-forward newcomers. The outpost is complete with an in-store Denim & Repair Shop offering complimentary tailoring and one-of-a-kind customization.

Located on the second level adjacent to the Westin Hotel, the new outpost is modeled after the brand's most successful stores in Bogotá and Medellín. At over 2,100 square feet, customers can expect a spacious and well-lit shopping experience. Light colored floors with handsome dark features lend themselves to the masculine energy of the store. The spacious fitting rooms, complete with lounge seating and oversized mirrors, make trying on the latest styles comfortable.

The brand was founded in 1979 by Guy Azoulay, who was obsessed with American fashion, in particular the leather aviator jacket. With decades of success in Latin America and a massive following in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, Chevignon is widely known for its leather jackets, down coats, and denim.

Comparable to Levi's or All Saints, a pair of jeans typically starts at around $130, while a leather jacket retails between $400 and $600. The brand offers denim, outerwear, footwear, and accessories with collections divided to focus 70 percent on menswear and the remaining 30 percent on women's styles.

Chevignon's expansion into the U.S. was three years in the making. With broadening brand recognition at the forefront, expansion plans include opening 10 additional boutiques by 2030 in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth. These new stores will round out their portfolio to 102 brick-and-mortar stores, along with several partnerships in other large-format locations.

Chevignon denim repair Chevignon’s in-store Denim & Repair Shop offers complimentary tailoring and custom patches for truly personalized jeans and jackets.Photo courtesy of Chevignon

"When it came time to think about locations in Texas, Houston came to mind. We thought about the Houston rodeo, and we knew the city was right for the brand," Chevignon brand manager, Diego Alvarez Salazar, tells CultureMap. "We wanted to be part of the place where people were moving to and investing in, and that was in Texas."

One of the stand-out offerings at Chevignon is their Denim & Repair Shop. Customers who purchase denim are treated to complimentary, bespoke tailoring to ensure the best possible fit. The store also offers a wide selection of patches, pins, and accessories to completely customize leather and denim jackets, as well as jeans. While there is a cost for the accessories themselves, the complimentary customization services ensure a one-of-a-kind look for every customer.

"I always tell people that my first 'grown-up' pair of jeans was from Chevignon," says Bogotá-native, Luisa Babarczy. "Their denim is something that lasts forever. Now that they are here in Houston, I am so happy to be able to buy my daughter her first Chevignon denim jacket."

Photo courtesy of Chevignon

Chevignon’s Galleria boutique marks the brand’s first-ever store in the United States, launching its Texas-focused expansion plan.

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