Mayor's Pixie Power

Pixie power: What does Mayor Parker's new "sassy" hairstyle mean?

Mayor Annise Parker is sporting a new shorter hairstyle.

Photo by Clifford Pugh

When CultureMap caught up with Mayor Annise Parker at the recent opening of the new international concourse at Hobby Airport, the first thing we noticed was her shorter hairdo.

The mayor confirmed that, with her term coming to an end soon, she figured it was time for a change. "A new look, kind of transitioning," she explained. "We're going for sassy."

Experts say that's not unusual.

A 2010 survey of 3,000 women by British hairstylist Andrew Collinge found that women will most likely change their hairstyle up to 104 times in their lifetime, as well as change their hair color up to three times. The survey found the Top Reasons Women Change Their Hairstyle are:

Just for a change
Out of boredom
As a confidence booster
As a result of a breakup
To reinvent oneself
Keep up with fashions and trends
Going gray
In conjunction with a milestone birthday
Either before or after having a child
Their wedding

Reaction to Parker's new pixie cut, from her longtime hairstylist Elaine Gonzalez at Simon & Co. salon, is favorable on Facebook.

Comments range from "very hip" to "so much better" to "makes her look younger." One commenter wrote, "An elderly teacher told us in a class, 'when a woman changes her hairstyle, watch out!...major changes in her life are coming.' "

Other changes for Parker include getting behind the wheel again. The mayor is in the process of buying a car as she will give up police protection, and the security team that drives her around, when she leaves office at the end of the year. She doesn't know what's next, although there are rumors that she may be up for a spot in the Hillary Clinton adminstration if the presidential election favors the Democrats.

And Clinton, for one, makes no bones that if she wins she doesn't plan to go gray in the White House like every other male president. "You're not going to see me turn white in the White House," Clinton, 67, joked in South Carolina earlier this year. "I'm aware I might not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I have one big advantage: I've been coloring my hair for years."

We're also keeping our eye on the Houston mayoral candidates — all men — but thus far we haven't noticed any big stylistic changes.

beauty

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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