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."

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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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