Paris Journal

Back in time: Travels with Queen Elizabeth inspire Andrew Gn's sultry springcollection

A favorite looks is the cropped silk “taj pants” in a soft pink with anembroidered duchess satin jacket.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Gn
A modern day dress is enhanced with jeweled anklets made of pearls.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Gn
Pale blue gown with crystal embrodiery evoked the look of an earlier era.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Gn
Gn’s signature embroidery also made an appearance down the runway.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Gn
Waist-cinching dress in metallic silver color palette.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Gn

PARIS — When I asked Andrew Gn about the inspiration for his spring 2013 collection, shown at Les Beaux-Arts de Paris, he responded, “We’re covering the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to India 1961, and it’s absolutely sultry.”

He went on to explain that during this time the queen had a stopover in Japan as well, so there were also influences he described as minimal and “simple, but not plain."

“We’re covering the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to India 1961, and it’s absolutely sultry.”

As a designer who is known for his embellishments and colors, these aspects of minimalism were quite new for him. But it was not a full-on departure; his signature style still crept in with jeweled anklets made of pearls and dramatic silhouettes and sleeves.

The show opened with simple, waist-cinching ladylike silhouettes accented with strong shoulders and leather and pearl buttons, all done in black and white. The opulence of the queen in India came through next, with georgette silk blouses and crystal embroidery on duchess satin, in a lilac and metallic silver color palette. One of my favorite looks was the cropped silk “taj pants” in a soft pink, with an embroidered duchess satin jacket.

Gn’s signature black-and-white embroidery was in evidence as well as some interesting brown tones he calls “caramel” mixed with cobalt blue and a bit of chartreuse. The final 15 looks were a series of dresses and gowns that embodied all of the details from the collection, from color to fabric to embroidery.

While backstage, I had a chance to talk with hairstylist Seb Bascle on the inspiration for the models this season. Trying to stay in line with the simplicity of the collection, Bascle decided on a Brigitte Bardot-inspired look, with a side-swept pony tail with a slight pouf in the back.

The make-up was minimal as well, focusing only on a strong red lip.

Gn successfully took us back in time, as a beautifully adorned royal, with the perfect touches of modernity and grand fantasy. As Gn elaborated “riding on a bejeweled elephant, seated beside the Maharaja of Jaipur…”

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be well

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.

openings the-heights

Paris Journal

Back in time: Travels with Queen Elizabeth inspire Andrew Gn's sultry springcollection

be well

3 hot wellness studios move swiftly into new Heights development

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