CultureMap Video

Catwalk mania! Exclusive video view of Fashion Houston offers fresh look at runway action

Now I know why young models look a little nervous at a big runway show. As the co-emcee of Fashion Houston Wednesday night, I was quaking in my John Lobb's as I helped FH CEO Jared Lang introduced a stellar lineup of designers who specialize in glamour on the second night of the city's big fashion extravaganza.

Seeing style trendsetters like Diane Lokey Farb as well as excited friends of Art Institute of Houston students, I realized everyone was there because they love fashion.

But looking out at the eclectic crowd calmed my jangled nerves. Seeing style trendsetters Diane Lokey Farb, Beth Muecke and Becca Cason Thrash as well as excited friends of Art Institute of Houston students who were showcasing their designs for the first time on the 80-foot-long fashion Houston runway, I realized everyone was there because they love fashion.

The highlight of the evening was Naeem Khan's sparkling spring collection. Khan's many Houston fans in the audience were rewarded with a stylish show that combined his intricate evening gowns with glamorous sportswear.

But there were plenty of other beautiful styles to see, including those from Rubin Singer, who debuted his pre-fall 2015 collection, Rene Ruiz, another Houston favorite for his figure-hugging gowns, and jewelry designer Matthew Campbell Laurenza who displayed his collection in a unique runway show.

Perhaps the most excited designers in attendance were the four students from the Art Institute of Houston. Even after the evening ended, Breccia Demartini, Paola Contreras, Clarence T Lee and Lee O Yates were milling around with big smiles after each having their big moment. Good for them. Who knows, one day, one of them may be a fashion star?

In the video above, Khan, Singer and Ruiz talk about their designs, with some wonderful runway shots from ace CultureMap videographer Joel Luks. Look for a full review of the evening's activities later today from CultureMap contributor Heather Staible.

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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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