Stress-Free Shopping

Holiday Pop-up Shop offers fabulous new gift choices and stress-free shopping

You could spend Sunday afternoon, fighting traffic, searching for a parking place and maneuvering throngs of stressed out shoppers at the mall or you could opt for a more socialized afternoon at the CultureMap Holiday Pop-up Shop at Silver Street Studios.

The second annual event on December 13 brings retailers with the best home accessories, jewelry clothing and gifts, so whether you’re a list-maker or spur-of-the-moment shopper, here’s a look at some of the new pop-up retailers.

Fashion Focus

If you follow the “one for you, one for me” shopping mantra, the array of clothing and accessory shops will fill your needs perfectly.

Monkee's of Houston brings jewelry, handbags, clothing and gifts from designer such as Black Halo, Trina Turk and Hunter Bell. Think modern, feminine and fun.

Kissue Boutique gives a girl clothing and accessory choices with a touch of sass and edge that you can and should, work into your wardrobe.

Love jewelry and accessories? Brenda Grands Jewelry is on-trend with tassel necklaces, druzy earrings and lots of options for the littlest glamor girls on your holiday list.

Olivia + Cate offers an earth goddess vibe with a large selection of handmade jewelry and Rowdy Design conjures up a chic Texas attitude with pave diamonds, beads and horn.

Yes, there’s also shopping for the guys, compliments of Paris Texas Apparel Co. and San Cristobal Guayaberas. Love the Lone Star State and a bit of humor? Paris Texas Apparel Co. encourages guys to embrace their inner Texan with bow ties, polos, plus barware and other Texas-themed items.

San Cristobal Guayaberas elevate the classic quintessential Latin American garment in a range of colors and styles. Don’t miss the collection of game day guayaberas which pay homage to schools like LSU, Texas A&M, UT and Ole Miss.

Shop For a Cause

Aspire at Brookwood Leather Products and The Women's Home Cottage Shop are community-based retailers that bring a broad selection of gifts and fashion items.

Aspire at Brookwood provides opportunities for growth educationally, emotionally, vocationally, and spiritually for adults with disabilities. Expect everything from jewelry and ornaments to small gifts and leather goods made by artisans with special needs.

The Women's Home empowers women in crisis regain their self-esteem and dignity, empowering them to return to society as productive, self-sufficient individuals and the Women's Home Cottage Shop serves as resource to help them exact their mission. Insider information reveals they are bringing brand new jewelry from a popular boutique chain, as well as scarves, ponchos and small gifts.

Home Accessories and Stocking Stuffers

This is the season of peace, goodwill and gifting, and Manor is bringing gifts galore to the Holiday Pop Up Shop. Home accessories, decorative touches, stocking stuffers and other whimsical lovelies are ready for a happy home this holiday.

Admission to the Holiday Pop Up Shop is complimentary, so reserve your tickets now. In addition to stress-free shopping, visit the Lexus Lounge for bourbon and bubbles or sip free hot chocolate courtesy of Bounce Energy. A host of delectable edibles will be offered by Revival Market, Common Bond, Good Dog Houston, Macaron by Patisse, PUCS Pop Up Coffee Shop, SlimRitas and Briggs True.

And finally, get that holiday glow at NuMe Express, Houston's first medical-mobile cosmetic facility (pre-book your appointment now).

It’s the very merry shopping event you’ve been waiting for.

The CultureMap Holiday Pop-up Shop runs from 11 am - 4 pm on December 13 at Silver Street Studios. Admission is free, but we ask that you RSVP. Valet parking (for $5) or complimentary self park are available. For one day only, you can shop all of the following:

Aspire at Brookwood Leather Products
Andrea Montgomery Designs
Baanou
Bartaile
beDESIGN
Brenda Grands
Briggs True
Cakewalk Style Shop
Common Bond
DePetra Art in Jewelry
Dripped Nails
DYI
Fig Tree
French Cuff
KB Kasuals
KISSUE
Kelly Kathleen Design
Macaron by Patisse
Manor
Monkee's of Houston
NuMe Express
Olivia and Cate Jewelry
Paris Texas Apparel Co.
Pomp & Circumstance
Revival Market
Rowdy Design
Saint Cloud
San Cristobal Guyaberas
SlimRitas
Souk Chic
Texas Beer Bus
Tres Chic
VAHA
Venom
WildBloom Boutique
Women's Home Cottage Shop
Zayver Jewels

Tassel and druzy necklaces with an earthy vibe from Olivia + Cate.

shopping

BIJOU BAGS

Houston designers' diamond-adorned handbags turn heads in Hollywood

Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

Houston-based twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson, co-founders of 11 Juillet.

Houston twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson are showcasing their Southern roots and global perspective with the launch of 11 Juillet. The brand's fine jewelry and luxury handbags are already favored by A-listers including Katie Holmes, Leslie Bibb, Jenna Ortega, Emma Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston.

11 Juillet, named after the twins’ birthday, debuted its first collection in March. The line blends Italian craftsmanship with modern elegance, featuring handbags made from Italian calfskin leather and jewelry made with malachite, mother-of-pearl, onyx, and ethically sourced diamonds.

“I’ve called Houston home for about 20 years, and Kim’s been here for about four,” Bowden tells CultureMap. “We originally grew up in Kentucky, where we first began to appreciate quality craftsmanship. In our early twenties, we spent time in New York, where we were introduced to fashion and design, followed by countless trips to Paris that deepened our appreciation for Parisian art and elegance. Once we settled in Texas, we were inspired by the South’s distinctive style.”

Handbags range from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on diamond selections. Each purse features a medallion made with diamonds and natural stones ranging from 3.4 to 17 carats. The medallions are removable and can be worn as jewelry.

Leslie Bibb 11 Juliet Celebrity Leslie Bibb is a fan of the Houston-based brand 11 Juillet. Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

Each 11 Juillet handbag is made to order in Tuscany, where Italian artisans craft the designs from full-grain calfskin. “After visiting artisans across the globe, we found Italy’s heritage of leather craftsmanship is unmatched,” they explain. “We are closely involved in designing each silhouette and communicate with our Italian artisans daily, frequently visiting Italy to ensure every piece is made with the utmost precision and the finest materials.”

Their debut collection, Éclat de Joie, which translates to “radiance of joy,” represents what they stand for. “To us, the Éclat de Joie is the heart of 11 Juillet, a symbol of light, joy, and individuality,” said Wilson. “Each star medallion represents the harmony between natural beauty, technical mastery, and personal expression.”

Currently, 11 Juillet is available online only, though the brand hosts pop-ups in various cities where merchandise is available on-site.

“Success, for us, isn’t about chasing trends, but about creating heirloom-worthy pieces through timeless designs that hold meaning, reflect exceptional craftsmanship, and can be treasured and passed down for generations,” said Bowden.

As Houston’s fashion scene continues to grow, Bowden and Willson see the Bayou City as the perfect home base. “We are based in Houston, which is known for its effortless elegance and love of diamonds. We are inspired by Texas’s fashion scene and we wanted to create handbags that let you wear your diamonds not just as jewelry, but as modern heirlooms to be cherished and passed down.”

Kim Wilson and Mary Kay Bowden 11 Juliet

Photo courtesy of 11 Juillet

Houston-based twins Mary Kay Bowden and Kim Willson, co-founders of 11 Juillet.

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