Trying Not To Be Bitter

H&M finally coming to Texas, but Dallas gets first dibs

It just figures. Dallas gets H&M first.

After years of speculation, the Swedish-based cheap chic retailer is set to open in NorthPark Center in Dallas the second half of 2011. It’s not soon enough to gobble up Lanvin’s limited collection hitting stores Nov. 23, but it does seem to give hope that Houston will be next on the list.

Traditionally, the chain opens multiple stores in a city — it has 10 in New York City and Chicago, five in Atlanta and three in St. Louis — and once in the Lone Star state, it makes sense that Houston will be too big to pass up.

"H&M believes strongly in the Texas market and looks forward to bringing fashion-forward style to consumers in the area," the chain said in a press release. It made no mention of any Texas cities besides Dallas.

There is little information on when and where H&M might light locally, but some ideas range from the soon-to-be-vacated space Barnes&Noble occupies in the Centre at Post Oak and CityCentre to West Ave. and perhaps the Pavilions, although it’s likely Forever 21 wouldn’t like that plan too much. There is always The Galleria and surely Simon Properties would like nothing more than to spruce up Galleria III with an H&M, since it’s doubtful shoppers head there because of the barbecue.

Calls have been made and e-mails sent to H&M as well as local commercial real estate contacts, so hopefully future locations will be made public soon.

Let’s just hope at least one of them is in Houston.

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Stepping Up

RodeoHouston teams up with Texas bootmaker for limited edition collab

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Lane Boots

Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™

Each part of the boots ties back to the key elements of the HLSR.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) concert lineup has been announced, and concert tickets have gone on sale, which can only mean one thing – it is time to get rodeo ready. For 20 days in March, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is taking over the NRG Stadium complex, where Houstonians will display their best Western-inspired attire.

This year, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo collaborated with popular Texas-based brand Lane Boots on a one-of-a-kind limited edition collection. Muffy King, director of marketing for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, designed the boots with help from a team of experts at Lane Boots. Together, they looked at what is trending in existing boot designs and the fashion industry as a whole to come up with a unique look.

"It was important to us that the boot meant to celebrate the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo be representative of the 'Cowboy Core' aesthetic that is a major influence in fashion right now. These fundamental choices were a natural way for us to incorporate and represent our mission-driven pillar – Western Heritage," King tells CultureMap.

Each part of the boots ties back to the key elements of HLSR. The round braid on the sides represents the ropes used in competitions. The starburst effect around the star and the state of Texas symbolizes the lights on the RodeoHouston stage. The Texas on the back of the boot highlights HLSR's focus on supporting education in the Lone Star State. Departing from Lane's recognizable blue-soled boots, these feature a distinct orange sole with the HLSR logo stamped on the bottom, reflecting the branding seen across Texas ranches.

With designs for both men and women, the boots are exclusively available online. Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

"We wanted to showcase the unique feature Lane has become known for in Western fashion, but with our own Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo flare," said King. "For both the Rodeo and Lane Boots, this was a real testament to the partnership and collaboration that took place to make these boots a reality."

The boots were released online earlier this month, and according to King, they are "flying off the shelves quickly" and have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Lane Boots produced 2,025 pairs of boots at their factory in Leon, Mexico. Each pair has an individual stamp and a special message on the inside of the boot shaft.

"The story behind the boot naturally lends itself to being relatable to many individuals across all walks of life," King says. "It was a very seamless process that resulted in an aesthetic that allows whoever wearing them to incorporate their own story and personality into the boot."

With designs for both men and women, the boots are exclusively available online. If any inventory remains when the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins, they will be available at the Lane Boots location in NRG Center.

Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™

Each part of the boots ties back to the key elements of the HLSR.

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