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Luxury boom: Louis Vuitton and Burberry plan major Galleria expansion

Louis Vuitton plans a major Galleria expansion.
The new Prada store in the Galleria hopes to be open just before Christmas.
The new Omega boutique in The Galleria
Photo by Bob Levey
The new Love Culture store in Galleria II
The new Hugo Boss store is located between Max Mara and the new Miu Miu boutique
The New L.K. Bennett store is located near the entrance to Saks Fifth Avenue.

The economy may be in tatters in much of the world, but luxury shopping in Houston just keeps on growing.

With Prada and Miu Miu stores set to open at The Galleria before Christmas — the first Texas boutiques for Miuccia Prada's namesake label and hip young line — two other premier luxury retailers plan to greatly expand their presence in the Bayou City.

The Louis Vuitton store in The Gallera plans to nearly double its space, adding an entrance onto Westheimer, several VIP salons and new shopping space on a second floor.

Next door, the Burberry boutique will also expand to showcase more of the distinctive high-end clothing from Christopher Bailey's well-received runway collections.

Both stores will relocate to temporary space inside the mall next spring while the renovations take place. The newly remodeled stores are scheduled to opening in mid-fall 2012.

The planned luxury expansions are the latest additions to the never-ending list of new Galleria stores. Among recent openings:

L.K. Bennett, the women's luxury brand based in London and a favorite of Kate Middleton, has opened its fourth U.S. location near the entrance to Saks Fifth Avenue;
Love Culture, which specializes in trendy, inexpensive dresses for the fashion-forward woman on a budget, is located in Galleria II;
Hugo Boss has opened a boutique in a prime location between Max Mara and the new Miu Miu store; it features all Hugo Boss lines, including the trendy Hugo Boss Orange casual collection;
Across the way, Omega, the iconic watch company, has opened its first location in Texas for a stand-alone store; it is modeled on the New York flagship store with a facade that incorporates themes of sun, water, earth and time.

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RODEO ROYALTY

Bun B debuts exclusive Western streetwear collab at RodeoHouston

Photo by BFA for Crown Royal

Bun B takes the RodeoHouston stage in style, debuting an exclusive Western streetwear collab with Purple Brand and Crown Royal.

Houston's rodeo scene got a hefty dose of Western-meets-streetwear flair as Bun B took the RodeoHouston stage in style during his highly anticipated concert on March 7. Since 2022, the rap icon has been turning heads with custom outfits styled by Luke Cosby, co-founder of Purple Brand. But this year, some of Bun B's looks weren't just exclusive; they inspired his capsule collection with Purple Brand and Crown Royal, making his performance a combination of music, fashion, and culture.

"Performing at the Rodeo is an honor, and I love every aspect of creating that show. I look forward to my on-stage look every year, and trust Purple will create something that I love," Bun B shared in a statement. "Being able to bring two brands I respect together to form this unique look and create a collection inspired by those looks, made this Rodeo even more special."

The capsule collection, available at Purple Brand's Galleria boutique and online, consists of three pieces, including the Crown Royal x Purple Brand Jeff Hamilton Varsity Jacket, Crown Royal x Purple Brand Bun B Signature Poncho, and Crown Royal x Purple Brand Graphic Tee. According to Cosby, every detail was carefully curated for a one-of-a-kind look. Premium wool, leather accents, and bold embellishments blend rich texture with modern streetwear elements.

The collection is available online and in Purple Brand's Galleria boutique. Photo by BFA for Crown Royal

"The collection was heavily inspired by Crown Royal and Bun B himself, his dynamic stage presence, his legacy in Houston, and the Western aesthetic that defines the Rodeo," Cosby tells CultureMap. "We took cues from classic rodeo fashion, Crown Royal branding and colors. The poncho, for example, is a recreation of the standout piece Bun wore on stage last year, blending tradition with contemporary design. Each piece reflects Houston's culture while feeling fresh and elevated."

Net proceeds from the collection and other events in the Crown Royal Saloon & Showroom during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be donated to Soldiers' Angels' LA Wildfire Relief Fund, supporting fire relief efforts for veterans in the Los Angeles area.

The Crown Royal x Purple Brand collab features luxe textures, bold embellishments, and undeniable Houston energy.Photo by BFA for Crown Royal

"As a long-time sponsor of the RodeoHouston, it was important to elevate our presence by extending our partnership to leaders in the community. Bun B is a Houston legend. His presence at RodeoHouston and annual Birthday Bonanza is a highly anticipated moment that unites the city," Hadley Schafer, vice president of Crown Royal, tells CultureMap." In our second year partnering with Bun B, we are thrilled to evolve our partnership in a way that pays homage to rodeo tradition and the Houston community."

Photo by BFA for Crown Royal

Bun B takes the RodeoHouston stage in style, debuting an exclusive Western streetwear collab with Purple Brand and Crown Royal.

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