Did Somebody Say Champagne?

Fashionable fetes give plenty of reasons to go glam at Houston fashion week

David Peck, Chloe Dao
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Eileen Ford

If four straight days of fashion shows, beautiful people and never-ending champagne doesn't get you in the party mood, there’s truly no hope for your stilletoed soul. From day-to-night, Audi Fashion Houston is one big fete after another, with new parties popping up all the time.

Elaine Turner and David Peck are Houston’s dynamic duo, collaborating for Tuesday’s night show at the Wortham. They’ll be basking in the afterglow Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at Turner's Rice Village boutique, meeting with shoppers (who will be able to buy the designer’s fresh-from-the-runway looks) while partaking of afternoon bubbly.

We expect more after-parties invites to come our way, but the Wednesday event at Sanctuary Lounge on Washington is an official Audi Fashion Houston celebration. Chloe Dao is among the designers hosting the event that promises free champagne until the bottles run dry. Do they know the sparkling wine swilling style scene? Dao is asking for a $5 donation at the door for Women of Wardobe, but the party doesn’t require fashion show tickets. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Expect the fashion scene's creme de la creme at the Four Seasons Hotel Thursday night, for an invite-only soiree honoring modeling agency legend Eileen Ford. Quattro, the hotel's premier restaurant, was a match made in marketing heaven for the Four Seasons and Momentum Audi, who just so happen to have a Quattro of their own. How festive will this party be? Rumor has it that there's a bottle of champagne chilled and ready for each well-heeled guest.

Saturday night, Dao is hosting a private reception at her Lot 8 Boutique for all Wednesday night ticket holders. She kicks off the evening's shows at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Houston designer Toni Whitaker, fellow Project Runway winner Irina Shabayeva, Kiton and red carpet favorite, Mark Bouwer. Always the gracious host, Dao will be on hand and shoppers can take advantage of special discounts, cocktails and appetizers.

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GUCCI GRANDEUR

Gucci unveils a new 2-story store with VIP lounge at the Houston Galleria

Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

Gucci's newest boutique recently opened and boasts two floors to offer a wider selection of the brand's luxury goods.

Gucci is expanding its footprint in Texas with a posh new boutique in the Galleria. The renowned Italian brand has cemented its luxury status in the Bayou City with a first-of-its-kind, two-story, 11,000-square-foot outpost that replaces a 4,100-square-foot boutique that opened in 2018.

On the ground floor, shoppers will be greeted with ready-to-wear women's clothing, shoes, and accessories. A custom-made Gucci Rossi Ancora staircase will lead customers to the upper floor, where they can pursue menswear, shoes, and the brand's Valigeria travel collection. The spacious upper floor also allows for displays of the coveted Gucci Blondie line and Gucci B bag presented with the current Fall-Winter and Cruise collections.

Gucci store Houston Galleria A staircase in Gucci's signature Rosso Ancora leads shoppers to the second floor. Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

The store's minimalistic decor further highlights the fashion house's collections. Nevertheless, there is no mistaking the Gucci aesthetic. Marble floors and acid green and yellow carpeting distinguish individual spaces, while furnishings by B&B Italia, Cassina, and Minotti paired with brushed steel countertops reflect the sleek, modern vision of Gucci's creative director, Sabato De Sarno.

One distinctive feature that sets this boutique apart from its predecessor is a VIP lounge for more private and personalized shopping. The boutique also showcases eco-friendly initiatives that follow LEED guidelines to promote energy efficiency.

Gucci store Houston Galleria Houston Galleria will be one of the first boutiques to open with Gucci’s latest store window concept, Endless Narratives.Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

Right now, the Houston store is one of the first to open with Gucci's latest window concept, Endless Narratives, a collaboration with renowned Italian artist Luca Pignatelli. The window display showcases the interplay between light, mirrors, and everyday objects, encouraging audiences to look deeper. On mirrored shelves, books, miniature statues, and replicas of Gucci's archival bookends, the curated design encourages audiences to see the objects and their reflections as a representation of Gucci's creative universe.

Photo by Pablo Enriquez for Gucci

Gucci's newest boutique recently opened and boasts two floors to offer a wider selection of the brand's luxury goods.

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