Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Grand Gala Ball

It's all about the gown

Pat Breen chose a black-and-white ball gown that was a highlight of the Oscar de la Renta fall 2009 collection. "I really have a lot of black and a lot of white, but not mixed together," she said. "I just fell in love with it."

Bill Olive

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Grand Gala Ball seemed toned down from previous years. But you couldn't tell it from the glamorous attire worn by Houston's Smart Set.

Pat Breen chose a black-and-white ball gown that was a highlight of the Oscar de la Renta fall 2009 collection. "I really have a lot of black and a lot of white, but not mixed together," she said. "I just fell in love with it."

Bill Olive

Maybe it's the sluggish economy. Or perhaps a more understated attitude that has permeated the fall social scene. Whatever the reason, this year's Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Grand Gala Ball had a toned-down feeling. Yet it may go down as one of the museum's most elegant fundraisers. The theme was "Masterpieces of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: Director's Choice" and it coincided with the publication of a coffee table book featuring MFAH director Peter Marzio's favorite works of art from the museum's permanent collection. In a twist, Marzio also chaired the gala, which featured images from the collection projected on the walls of the Caroline Wiess Law Building and music by several Houston bands. "I wanted to make it an all-Texas thing," Marzio said. But much of the sizzle came from the ball gowns worn by Houston's leading boldface names. The MFAH gala is always among the top black-tie events of the social season, so it's a showcase of wearable art. Here are some examples.

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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.

gucci stores in houston gucci houston galleria gucci b bag luxury stores in houston galleria gucci houston shopping

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Grand Gala Ball

It's all about the gown

Pat Breen chose a black-and-white ball gown that was a highlight of the Oscar de la Renta fall 2009 collection. "I really have a lot of black and a lot of white, but not mixed together," she said. "I just fell in love with it."

GUCCI GRANDEUR

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

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