Now that's Italian

Straight from Milan: Alberta Ferretti showcases dreamy spring collection atAmerican Express runway show

Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Alberta Ferretti's spring/summer 2012 collection emphasizes a send of illusion.
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Aeffe USA president Michelle Stein, left, translated for Alberta Ferretti duringa question-and-answer session.
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Seen in the crowd: Joanne King Herring and Tootsies owner Mickey Rosmarin
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Following the show, Alberta Ferretti and InStyle magazine fashion director HalRubenstein discussed fashion.
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Hal Rubenstein and Becca Cason Thrash
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Diane Lokey Farba and Lynn Wyatt, center, look intently at the runway designs inthe Alberta Ferretti show.
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Alberta Ferretti black cady blouse cropped trouser, both with silk chiffonillusion paneling
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Alberta Ferretti turquoise silk spaghetti strap gown with bugle bead detailing
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Alberta Ferretti ivory silk crepe de chine sleeveless jumpsuit with bugle breadembroidery inserts
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Alberta Ferretti yellow silk chiffon backless sheath with basket weave
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Alberta Ferretti royal blue silk satin short sleeve dress with chiffon illusioninserts and open draped back
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio

As the co-founder of Aeffe, the Italian company that produces and distributes collections by Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino and Cacheral as well as her namesake brands, Alberta Ferretti is an astute businesswoman. But she also loves to dream.

A dreamy quality is evident in Ferretti's spring/summer 2012 collection, which she showcased to a select group Houstonians at Tootsies Wednesday night, courtesy of American Express.

The collection, which was shown for the first time outside of Milan, features colorful chiffon gowns, graphic jungle prints, art deco slipdresses — Ferretti said she was "a bit inspired by the romantic jungle of the 1920s" — and dresses and coats with bugle bead embroidery insets, tulle panels and nude lining to create sense of illusion.

"I'm always attempting to create a very unique woman — I say an almost dreamy woman — because in the real concrete world of today, dreaming is so important."

"I love a delicate woman — a woman who allows herself to be discovered just bit by bit, that dreamy feminine thing," Ferretti told CultureMap through an interpreter after the show. "I'm always attempting to create a very unique woman — I say an almost dreamy woman — because in the real concrete world of today, dreaming is so important because it helps us really face the harsh reality of day-to-day life."

The production quality of the show certainly rivaled a European runway presentation. A tent-like structure filled a good part of the interior of Tootsies, with lucite chairs and a mirrored wall that reflected the models as they walked the runway. Ferretti seemed to impart her dreamy vision to the models, many of whom are regulars at Houston fashions shows but seemed to walk more confidently and professionally under her tutelage.

Afterwards, Ferretti engaged in a question-and-answer session with InStyle magazine fashion editor Hal Rubenstein.

"The thing I like most about fashion is modernity and romance," Rubenstein said. "Alberta's designs are intricate and effortless. They excite you but they don't overtake you."

Among the questions Rubenstein asked Ferretti was how much prominence should fashion have in a person's life? Her response:

Really, what fashion should do is accompany life. It shouldn't be the most important. But it signals and marks time. When we see ourselves dressed in the '60s, '70s, '80s or '90s, it brings back the moment, whether it's good or bad. It's really just dressing the times of our life. That's what fashion is to me."

The show brought out a large crowd of the Houston fashion faithful, including Debra and Mark Grierson, Lynn Wyatt, Mary K Kickerillo and Kelli Kickerillo, Becca Cason Thrash, Joanne Herring King, Sheridan Williams, Fran Lichtenstein and Melissa and Michael Mithoff.

AmEx events

The Ferretti fashion show was the latest in a series of special events that American Express is organizing for its Houston customers. Recently the company has organized showing of movies from the Tribeca Film Festival at the Alamo Drafthouse and a dinner at Reef featuring a demonstration by noted chefs.

"Houston is a huge market for us. Even when we have our events in New York around fashion week, we have Houston customers," said American Express vice-president Sonali Chakravorti, who oversees such events for Platinum and Centurion cardholders. "The idea now is we've been focusing on these passions, we should really be bringing these passions to where our customers are."

Chakravorti says that Houston cardholders can expect more such events in the areas of food, wine, sports, film and fashion, with insider information they can't find anywhere else. "A lot of people are shouting about access nowadays. We like to say, 'What's the insider look?' and getting our customers much closer to the people they admire."

"A lot of people are shouting about access nowadays. We like to say, 'What's the insider look?' and getting our customers much closer to the people they admire."

AmEx's increased Houston presence also appears to be an attempt to woo customers who can no longer use their Platinum and Centurion cards for admission into Continental Airline's airport clubs. Also American Express cardholders can no longer redeem their points for frequent-flier miles in the Continental OnePass program. (The benefits were discontinued at the end of September.)

"I think we're always trying to make sure that we are positively impacting our customers' lives," Chakravorti said. "Certainly with United and Continental merging, it's changed the landscape quite a bit. I think what we've focused on is trying to find other ways to make things easier. We still have a number of ways to use your points on United and/or Continental, ways to get into the lounges. We continue to say, 'Hey what's important to our customers? How do we make their lives easier?'

"Particularly with credit cards, there's a huge focus on the affluent market, a niche that we've had for quite a long time. For us, it made sense to say, 'Let's start bringing those experiences that are important to our customers and really show them.' People who are American Express customers know why they are American Express customers, so let's give them more of what they want."

Visit to Menil

It was the second visit to Houston for Ferretti, who was here about eight years ago for a Houston Grand Opera event at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash. On this trip, she snuck in a visit to the Menil Collection between preparing for the fashion show and meeting with customers at Tootsies on Thursday. She labeled the Menil visit "fantastic."

In addition to her Alberta Ferretti line and a less expensive line, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Ferritti plans to showcase a demi-couture collection next month at her Milan headquarters.

"It's the next step, because some clients ask for unique pieces," she said. "I am constantly reinventing myself becasue I know that women are constantly reinventing themselves."

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where to shop now

Where to shop now: 12 Houston stores with must-see holiday finds

Photo by Marco Torres

Bun B and PURPLE co-founder Luke Cosby at Purple's new Galleria outpost.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing in Houston, and shoppers are already busy checking names off their gift lists. Despite the fashionably late arrival of Thanksgiving this year, there is still plenty of time to find the perfect presents for everyone on the proverbial shopping list.

Whether hunting for something stylish, timeless, or entertaining, this Houston-centric shopping guide covers everything. There are ideas for every budget, age, and style preference, making shopping a bit more effortless and fun. Happy shopping, Houston!

Ada & Edith
The Houston-based style-driven women's wear brand recently released its Fall/Winter 2024 collection featuring eight highly curated pieces made with beautiful fabrics and expert tailoring. The new online collection features dresses, matching sets, tops, and skirts.

Beaufort Bonnet Company
The upscale children's lifestyle apparel brand recently opened its boutique in Rice Village next to White House Black Market. The brand offers everything from traditional special-occasion apparel pieces to ready-to-play wear for boys and girls (sizes infant – 14). Moms will love the great shopping while kids will have fun at the store's play area.

Foreign Fare
Holiday jet setters will be thrilled to give or get Houston-based travel brand Foreign Fare's travel clothing. The bestsellers, the Jetsetter jacket and Wrap Me Up Dress, are a modern take on travel apparel and made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics that effortlessly go from day to night. They feature travel-ready amenities, including hidden pockets and adjustable waistbands.

From Marfa
Tanglewood's favorite children's apparel store offers the cutest holiday must-haves for babies to teens and complimentary gift wrapping that will save time during this busy season. Shoppers can snag holiday and winter finds from brands including Little English, Luigi Kids, Pink Chicken, Katie J NYC, and more. The boutique also offers toys, books, and accessories that make great gifts and stocking stuffers.

Kimono Zulu
Houston-based brand Kimono Zulu offers one-of-a-kind vintage kimonos that make a unique and memorable holiday gift. Each kimono provides a piece of Japan's craftsmanship and artistry and is a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. The brand's kimonos are available at its Upper Kirby boutique or online.

Krewe
Krewe, an independent eyewear brand founded in New Orleans, is opening its first permanent location in Houston in Rice Village. Nnown for its high-quality, small-batch, handcrafted frames, Krewe combines the style and culture of the Big Easy with a modern and iconic style. Krewe's new outpost is located at 5515 Kelvin Dr. #125 and opens on December 7.

Lafayette 148
Lafayette 148 has partnered with Save Venice, a leading American non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy. The partnership inspired a capsule collection, available at the brand's outpost in the Galleria, featuring dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories. The capsule collection's sales will be donated to Save Venice's "Women Artists of Venice" program through the end of 2024.

Léránt
This Galleria neighborhood boutique makes being the "hostess with the mostess" easy, especially during the holiday season with elegant finds at every price point. Shoppers will find everything from tableware and crystal to gifts and festive holiday decor. Customers can shop with 15 percent off their purchases on December 4 from 4-7 pm.

Lucchese Bootmaker
Lucchese has launched a new gemstone line just in time for the holiday season. The latest offering includes the Gemstone Suede Boot Collection featuring the famous Priscilla classic style, which now comes in new rich suede colorways for the holiday season. The Gemstone Python Boot Collection includes six distinctive styles with rich, new colorways — Emerald, Amber, and Garnet — in two silhouettes: the Presley Exotic and the Dale Exotic. The Gemstone Python Clutch and Belt pay homage to 140 years of Lucchese and are handmade from rich tones of python leather.

M Penner
Named "One of the top men's specialty stores in the U.S." by Esquire Magazine, M Penner is celebrating 50 years in business — a massive feat in Houston's finicky fashion scene. In addition to custom fittings, perfect for holiday parties, customers can shop elevated brands, including Brunello Cucinelli, Zenga, Canali, Isaia, AG Jeans, Carrot & Gibbs, Davek, Paul Smith, and more.

Purple
Co-founded by Houston native Luke Crosby, Purple recently opened its first Texas location in the Galleria. Alreday a top-selling denim brand at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, Purple is known for its luxury denim and curated apparel worn by celebrities including Justin Bieber, Michael B. Jordan, Jimmy Butler, and Houston's own Bun B.

Zadok Jewelers
Post Oak hotspot Zadok Jewelers is ready for the "most wonderful gifts of the year" as they gear up for the holiday season with a schedule full of shopping events. Guests can pursue the massive jewelry store during its extended holiday hours while shopping exclusive pieces from The Vault or the Vintage & High Jewelry Collection. Zadok will also host designer trunk shows and its annual Ultimate Watch Event featuring new releases from 25 leading watchmakers.

Photo by Marco Torres

Bun B and PURPLE co-founder Luke Cosby at Purple's new Galleria outpost.

foreign fare zadok jewelers kimono zulu lerant from marfa purple krewe lucchese boots where to shop in houston shopping