WHERE TO SHOP

Where to shop in Houston now: 10 must-hit spots for November

Holiday shopping is anything but conventional this year. Black Friday typically marks the start of holiday shopping, but due to the pandemic, retailers have already begun announcing their sales. Whether you’re shopping the virtual Nutcracker Market or socially distant shopping in-person, these 10 spots will have fabulous finds for anyone on your list.

De Beers Jewellers
The “Legendary Home of Diamonds” reopened its renovated 787-square-foot boutique within The Galleria in Houston. Expect an intimate VIP lounge for private appointments and eco-friendly materials, such as sustainably source oak, used throughout the boutique.

Golden Gray Boutique
Market Street - The Woodlands recently announced the opening of Golden Gray Boutique at 9595 Six Pined Dr., Suite 1035. The women’s fashion boutique offers cost-friendly clothing, shoes, and accessories. Per a release, Golden Gray Boutique prides itself on offering fashionable pieces that can easily mix with a shopper’s current wardrobe.

Golden Houston
Elin Jackson and Lindsay Curtis launched Golden Houston’s online stop this past summer and its storefront opened its doors in Memorial’s Wick Lane Shopping Center last month. Stylish Houstonians can shop cool California brands as well as Texas locals like Christy Lynn Collection and Tish Cox.

Frock Shop
Shopping at Selina Stanford’s Hedwig Village boutique is magical. Her collection of carefully curated brands include “sophisticated prints, bold color combinations, and feminine silhouettes with a touch of vintage.” You’re sure to leave Frock Shop in something unique. Look to this Memorial-area boutique for local favorites like Hunter Bell and QuayL Designs.

Kismet Boutique
The beloved Latina-owned East End boutique recently moved into a larger space at 720 Telephone Rd. From beautiful sarape face masks to handcrafted Frida earrings and all things Selena, Kismet is your go-to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.

La Seour
The traveling pop-up collective is at River Oaks Shopping Center for the holidays. From now until January 15, 2021, La Seour can be found at 2005-A West Gray St. Expect to find unique baby clothes from Mazin Boutique, Christy Lynn’s womenswear line, LH Candle Studio, Susana Vega’s handcrafted jewelry, high-quality skincare from Holly Hall Supply Co., and more.

M-K-T Heights
Several retailers are now open and coming soon at the newly repurposed mixed-use development off Shepherd Drive, north of i-10. Look to women’s fashion concept June & Co.; Common Assembly, a woman’s effortless and ethical fashion boutique; Anjouil’s, (pronounced as Ann-Jewels), a woman’s clothing and accessories boutique; and BURDLIFE, a jewelry line, which opens Saturday, November 14.

MOO-CHILA
Known for its leather footwear, fine hats, and artisan goods — all made from artisans and family-owned shops in Ecuador — MOO-CHILA is now open at Heights Common Market, 123 W. 18th St. Shop a variety of goods like bandanas, alpaca blankets, natural stone bracelets, and more.

Nutcracker Market
One of the largest shopping events in the city has gone virtual. Through Friday, December 11, shop from 150 vendors from the comfort of your home. New to the Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker Market are Boone Branch, The Incredible Christmas Place, and Parker & Hyde. View participating merchants here.

Susana Vega
Susana Vega’s latest collection tells the story of a South American girl named Eladia, who has traveled the world carrying her most prized possession, the memory of her homeland. The collection, Eladia, which features an assortment of beautifully crafted earrings and necklaces, is described as elegant and minimalist but at the same time, spontaneous and bohemian.

Shop Susana Vega's latest jewelry collection, Eladia.

Photo courtesy of Susana Vega

Shop Susana Vega's latest jewelry collection, Eladia.

shopping where-to-shop

ELEGANT EVOLUTION

Houston designer Christy Lynn celebrates 5 years with River Oaks pop-up

Photo by Quy Tran

The designer opened her new space with a Spring 2025 Collection fashion show.

Houston designer Christy Lynn Lee has had a whirlwind five years and is celebrating with a pop-up store in River Oaks District and a new Resort 2025 Collection. The pop-up boutique will be open through the end of February, offering shoppers curated picks from the designer's Fall/Winter 2024, Resort 2025, and the first drop of Spring 2025 on February 1.

"I wasn't looking for a pop-up during the holiday season, but the opportunity presented itself, and I made the decision within two weeks," Lee tells CultureMap. "I have a beautiful store in Memorial, and being there for over a year has taught me a lot about that part of the city. There are a lot of people that shop in River Oaks District from out of town and even internationally, and we felt we could learn a lot about those customers just by being there for the next four months."

Houston-based designer Christy Lynn Lee and her husband Christophe Chung.Photo by Quy Tran

After founding her ready-to-wear label in 2019, Lee became known for her romantic and ephemeral dresses with hand-painted floral motifs and exquisite fabrics from Italy, France, and China. In the past year, Lee has focused on evolving her brand to include more separates, knitwear, and suiting. The Resort 2025 Collection will showcase these efforts with a capsule wardrobe that is ready for holiday travel with beautiful skirts, cashmere, and embroidered treatments on leather and suede.

"The collection is available now through January, and it is holiday-inspired," said Lee. "I wanted it to feel like a transitional capsule collection, so if you are traveling for the holidays to somewhere warm or skiing, it is easy to take it away with you."

Shoppers can peruse the ready-to-wear Resort 2025 Collection at the River Oaks District pop-up. Photo courtesy of Christy Lynn

In addition to the new pop-up boutique and launch of her latest collection, Lee is celebrating five years of her eponymous brand. The designer says the first three years were the honeymoon phase, while the last two dealt with trials and tribulations. She and her business partner and husband, Christophe Chung, have been focused on sustaining the business's progress.

"The first three years we had a lot of growth. I have a store, a team here in Houston, and a team in New York, so now it is about planning for the next five years.," said Lee. "I am fortunate that I have built a really good production and design group. It is very small, but it allows me to concentrate more on the outward-facing parts of the fashion business."

Christy Lynn Lee celebrated her 5 year anniversary with a fashion show and the debut of her River Oaks District pop-up. Photo by Quy Tran

While Lee has focused on expanding nationwide and globally (she began international shipping in the last six months), she says Houston will remain her home base. The designer's atelier, warehouse, and flagship store are all in Houston, and over the past several years, Lee and her husband have built a welcoming community around them.

"We couldn't have grown so much without the support from Houston. I feel like it is my home," said Lee. "Houston embodies diversity, creativity, and opportunity. It is an international hub that offers access to a global audience while still having a fantastic local community."

Photo by Quy Tran

The designer opened her new space with a Spring 2025 Collection fashion show.

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