Stylemaker Finalists

Who will be Houston's Top Stylemaker? Finalists spill style secrets, fashion staples and worst trends

CultureMap Stylemaker finalists each have a unique sense of style.

Courtesy photo

So many stylish people in Houston. So little time.

We're down to the final eight in our first CultureMap Stylemaker Awards, in which we celebrate the most fashionable men and women in Houston. From the 16 semifinalists chosen for their unique style by a panel of judges, you decided who would make it to the final round.

Speaking of the finals, now you must vote again, this time to determine the Readers’ Choice winner. You can vote once a day, every day, until October 12 at 11:59 pm.

Then, on October 14, we celebrate all eight finalists — who will put their styling skills on display — as well as the eight semifinalists, at the big reveal party at Tootsies. Naturally you want to reserve your spot for that.

We looked to our final eight Stylemakers for fashion advice in order to help you get to know a little more about them, their secrets to being stylish, and trends that should be buried for good. Here’s what they had to say:

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl
Household CEO

Go-to fashion staple: A great pair of leather leggings.

The secret to being stylish: Don’t be afraid, style is a reflection of one's individual taste and personality. People with similar styles are attracted to each other for a reason, usually they have a lot in common.

Trend I wish would go away: Besides people who wear their trousers down to their knees (ie. sagging pants), pajamas at the airport is a trend I wish would go away... It’s not hard to dress decently when you travel, and please pull your trousers up!

Karina Barbieri
Glamorous mom/philanthropist

Go-to fashion staple: High heels.

The secret to being stylish: I think about my entire look from head to toe. The key is in the small details: Maintaining your hair styled, your hands and your feet manicured, keeping your skin moisturized, a soft makeup look and good accessories to adorn the outfit are essential. You can have a spectacular dress and stunning shoes on but if everything else is not taken care of you won't look good.

Trend I wish would go away: Ripped jeans.

Maryam Afshari
Owner, Baanou Boutique

Go-to fashion staple: The classic little black dress... always chic, always in style.

The secret to being stylish: I have a few secrets — No. 1: Confidence, it makes all the difference! No. 2: Timeless classic styles always look good!

The trend I wish would go away: The one trend that I cannot support is wearing mid-calf socks under open-toed shoes. I don't know where it came from, it doesn't look good in my opinion.

Valerie Dittner
Creative partner at Cheeky Vintage

Go-to fashion staple: A sailor striped shirt with a vintage jacket thrown over my shoulders.

The secret to being stylish: I think the secret to being stylish is taking risks while knowing what suits your body. When you wear the right silhouette, you are free to experiment with color, pattern, texture and trends.

The trend I wish would go away: I’m not sure what trend I wish would go away, but my favorite trend right now is the colorful fur trend. Worn as a bag charm or as a bright fur collar, colored fur is bringing a youthful punch to our wardrobes this fall.

Staci Henderson
Philanthropist/fundraiser

Go-to fashion staple: Great shoes. The higher and edgier the better. Regardless of weight fluctuations or bad hair days, you can always count on some "foot art" to pull you through.

The secret to being stylish: Be fearless. I love mixing high and low price points, love vintage, know my body and what works on me, and dress solely for myself. I'm past the age of looking to anyone for approval. If I can express myself, as myself every day I'm a happy girl.

The trend I'd wish would go away: The bare midriff. I don't care how amazing your abs are it just seems tacky. Save it for the beach. Nobody wants to see someone at a cocktail party with their whole stomach hanging out. No thank you.

Bryce Kennard
Comcast communications director

Go-to fashion staple: My navy blazer. It will take you from work or to dinner in the same day and is great for traveling. It goes with slacks, jeans and even my cowboy boots.

The secret to being stylish: I think everyone has the ability to be stylish. The secret is studying yourself and taking the time to invest and commit to being your most stylish self.

The trend I'd wish would go away: Trends can be fun, but I wish skinny jeans would be locked away somewhere. Season after season they keep tormenting me.

Holly Alvis
Program manager at Robert and Janice McNair Foundation

Go-to fashion staple: Rag & Bone skinny jeans and a pair of aviator styled sunglasses from Barton Perreira.

The secret to being stylish: Having a trusted second opinion!

The trend I'd wish would go away: Medium to large polka dot patterns.

Alex Martinez
Bon Vivant

Go-to fashion staple: Excellent accessories and jewelry.

The secret to being stylish: You wear the clothes, don’t let the clothes wear you. The best looks are those which look harmonious, surprising, but accidental. If your look is perfect "in fashion," it looks like you are thinking too much about the wrong things and are just a follower of the latest trend.

The trend I wish would go away: Mezcal.

stylemakers

HAUTE HOUSTON

High fashion label Sachin & Babi makes rare Houston appearance

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi is hosting an exclusive shopping event so Houstonians can snag pieces from their Resort Collection on November 12 from 5 to 8 pm at Avant Art Gallery.

Having dressed the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Mindy Kaling, and Octavia Spencer, high fashion label Sachin & Babiis known for its attention to embellishment, color, and silhouette. Ahead of the sold-out Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon, where the New York-based brand will be headlining with ready-to-wear looks from their fall collection, Sachin Ahluwalia, one-half of the high fashion duo is making a rare in-person appearance in the Bayou City.

"We are thrilled to see what Sachin & Babi will bring to our Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon," Angie Lane, Houston Ballet's chief development officer, tells CultureMap. "Saks Fifth Avenue has been an invaluable partner over the years, consistently creating an engaging and dynamic show for Nutcracker Market luncheon guests."

The brand, which has a large customer base in Texas, has its sights set on more permanent digs and retail expansion in the Lone Star State.

"In Texas, fashion is embraced in the truest sense. There's a celebratory spirit and full-of-life energy that aligns with our brand ethos," said Ahluwalia. "Our goal in everything we create is to celebrate the women who inspire us and remind us why we do what we do. I have always believed that the most important component of a woman's wardrobe is her smile, and Houston has that joyfulness so ingrained in its culture."

We sat down with Sachin Ahluwalia to discuss the brand's fall collection and what we can look forward to from the label in 2025.

CultureMap: How would you describe your fall collection?
Sachin Ahluwalia: Each season, we're inspired by the nature surrounding us, but this fall, we were particularly struck by the captivating beauty of botanical flowers. We referenced some of our favorite photographers who have captured striking macro shots of oversized blooms, and from this, we focused on the romantic allure of a 'White Rose in Moonlight.' While we often envision roses bathed in sunlight, a rose is equally enchanting beneath the moon's glow. There's a subtle message there — a reminder that beauty can thrive even in the quiet of night.

CultureMap: What colors and fabrics are you leaning towards for fall and winter?
SA: This fall, we focused on deep floral contrasts on luxurious viscose chiffon, faille, and Mikado. As fall also welcomes the return to the social calendar and gala season, we emphasized intricate beading and embroidery, creating unique, wearable pieces that make her feel her best for all the celebrations ahead.

CultureMap: When you create a collection, who are you designing for?
SA: For the past decade, Sachin & Babi has been redefining what it means to dress for life's most memorable moments. We design to a level of sophistication rather than any particular demographic. Aiming to offer more than just a garment, we want to give our customers a transformative experience that celebrates each person's unique style and story. We dress her for her most special occasions because she deserves to feel extraordinary without compromise.

CultureMap: What has been inspiring you for your 2025 collections?
SA: We are inspired by the incredible women in our country. She continues to marvel and inspire us with her confidence, elegance, and beauty. We're committed to helping her feel her most beautiful for all of her special moments, big and small.

CultureMap: Do you think you will ever move away from your east-meets-west aesthetic?
SA: It's hard to divorce ourselves from our natural inclinations and DNA. Babi and I spent our first 20 years in India, but we've spent the last 30 years building our home in New York City. We embrace our natural propensity for color, craftsmanship, and embroidery from India and marry it to the lifestyle of the women we know and adore in the US. Our goal is to converge traditional Indian techniques with a modern sensibility to create ready-to-wear that feels made for you.

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi held an exclusive shopping event in Houston.

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