Houston Fashion Gossip

Rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated, ace Houston designer says

David Peck uniforms for JW Marriott employees

David Peck designed the uniforms for employees at the new JW Marriott Houston Downtown hotel in 2014.

Houston designer David Peck can identify with classic American humorist Mark Twain in one respect: He asserts the rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated.

Social media and fashion circles were buzzing Sunday after Brandon Gregoire, director of finance and operations at David Peck, announced on his Facebook page that "we will be closing our doors and I will be moving to something new."

While the David Peck USA website is on longer operational and Peck's Montrose studio is temporarily shuttered for maintenance, the designer says that the business is in a transition period and he will announce "exciting new plans" next month.

"I'm making a lot of changes that I will be very excited to announce as soon as I can. In the meantime everything is on hold," Peck tells CultureMap. "I'm definitely not going away, I can tell you that."

(UPDATE 10/05: CultureMap has learned that Peck filed for bankruptcy on September 26. His business has more than $1.7 million in debts and $97,000 in assets, according to court documents. Peck said that he can't comment on the bankruptcy for legal reasons. "But nothing that I said (for this article) has changed," he said.)

Peck, who was named to the Houston Press List of 100 Creatives in 2012, has been a tireless advocate for the city's fledgling fashion scene since moving to the Bayou City in 2010. He has appeared at fashion week activities in Houston and other cities, designs for several of the city's leading social figures and created the uniforms for employees at the JW Marriott Houston Dowtown Hotel, which opened last year.

He also turned a 6,000-square-foot former antiques emporium into an impressive manufacturing headquarters and showroom, which he moved into last year.

Peck said he has communicated with his customers and will fulfill all current obligations. "We are not leaving anyone high and dry," he says. "I'm not trying to hide from anyone. I'm still working hard and working on what's next. I want to announce my plans when I am ready, not when a lot of people think I should. I'm really excited about the future."

"Like any business you go through crossroads. In order to take it to the next level, I have to make changes. I can say with 100 percent certainty that I'm not leaving Houston. Houston is home. I feel really strongly about the power of Houston and what the city can achieve."

shopping

UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

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