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    december's best looks

    Where to shop in Houston: 12 best brands, boutiques, and must-haves for December

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Dec 5, 2023 | 9:40 am

    Yes, we all know that giving beats getting any day of the year. But let's be honest – the struggle is real when coming up with the perfect presents for everyone on that holiday list, bouncing from one shop to another, and then wrapping the mountain of presents.

    Fear not; we've rounded up the best spots in Houston to snag amazing gifts. From local brands and artisan markets to luxury items and pre-order specials, there is something for everyone this December.

    Alo Yoga

    Alo Yoga is now open in the Galleria on Level 1 near the Galleria Financial Center. The California brand, beloved by celebrities and fashion-forward yogis, is also well known as a street brand because of its comfortable, contemporary clothing.

    Balmain Paris

    Sip and shop with Rachel Clements in River Oaks District's Balmain boutique. Get a first look at the pre-spring 2024 collection in benefit of the Rescued Pet Movement: Tuesday, December 5, from 5 to 8 pm. RSVP to the sip and shop event here.

    Christy Lynn

    Due to popular demand, Christy Lynn offers a limited cutting of the highly coveted black Elizabeth Dress. The dress that initially sold out in three days will be available for pre-order on a first come, first served basis. Made from gorgeous Italian organza, their target delivery window is the end of January to the end of February due to fabric lead time and production. For more information or to order, email studio@christylynn.com.

    Gucci

    Just in time for the holidays, Gucci unveiled this year's Gucci Gift campaign designed to inspire the art of giving. The campaign is the next step in the story of Sabato De Sarno's new creative direction that has characterized his vision since the debut of Gucci Ancora last September. The campaign, shot by Anthony Seklaoui, showcases a wardrobe of refined textures, vibrant hues, sleek silhouettes, and sparkly details and is available at the Woodlands location.

    Jenni Kayne

    Enjoy a day of shopping at Jenni Kayne's River Oaks District boutique. Shoppers can enjoy light bites, drinks, and 20% off all their in-store purchases along with a surprise holiday gift with purchase.

    Katie Kime

    Give the gift of luxury pajamas, hand towels, robes, and home decor from Texas toile designer Katie Kime. Her latest drop, Après Ski, features delightful images of snow-filled fun. Don't forget to snag your Houston gear or build customized pj sets for the whole family.

    Memorial Market

    Experience the holidays outdoors with MetroNational on The Lawn at Memorial City. Check out the Memorial Market on Saturday, December 9, from 9 am to 1 pm. Families can enjoy a memorable day with holiday trinkets, special character appearances from Memorial City reindeer, and even snowfall on The Lawn. Explore a wonderland of delightful holiday gifts, decorations, and treats.

    M-K-T

    Sleigh your holiday shopping list with Houston Plant Market, which will deck the halls with 30+ vendors, a lively DJ, a merry scavenger hunt for all ages, and more. Enjoy looking for the perfect plant, artisanal gifts, and goodies to brighten the season.

    Foreign Fare

    Curate a functional and stylish travel wardrobe at Foreign Fare's popup in Montrose Collective. The Houston-based brand, which features six silhouettes, is co-founded by couple Thy Mitchell and her husband, Matt. Foreign. Fare's popup will run through January 14.

    Tory Burch

    Perfect for holiday giving, Tory Burch offers customized calligraphy gift tags with any purchase on December 9 and 10 in their Galleria outpost.

    Valentino

    Give the gift of luxury to yourself or someone you love with Valentino's latest drop, the Valentino Garavani Vlogo Moon bag. Available in its Galleria boutique, the bag's signature details – the circular shape and iconic VLogo is available through December 26.

    Zadok Jewelers

    Zadok Jewelers is the one-stop shop for holiday and gift-giving bling. The Post Oak outpost is buzzing with events this month, including The Ultimate Watch event featuring brands such as Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and more. Shoppers can also pop in for trunk shows, including Marco Bicego, Phillips House, and more. Find additional event details here.

    Apr\u00e8s Ski Katie Kime

    Photo by Katie Kime/Instagram

    Texas-based Katie Kime's latest drop, Après Ski, features delightful images of snow-filled fun.

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    DAZZLING DETAILS

    Houston artist's Indian heritage inspires luxe new jewelry collection

    Gabi De la Rosa
    May 21, 2026 | 9:00 am
    Maison Merchant
    Photo by Hung Troung
    Maison Merchant’s debut collections feature sculptural gold designs, diamond accents, and customizable details handcrafted by master artisans in India.

    Houston’s luxury jewelry scene welcomes a sparkling new addition with the official launch of Maison Merchant, the fine jewelry brand founded by Houston-based artist and designer Sneha Merchant.

    The jewelry line is a new creative endeavor for Merchant, whose background as an artist serves as the foundation for the collection’s sculptural, highly detailed aesthetic.

    “Maison Merchant is a fine jewelry collection inspired by my artwork, intricate circular motifs, and timeless craftsmanship, blending high jewelry with meaningful design and storytelling,” Merchant tells CultureMap. “This launch represents a deeply personal evolution of my creative journey, expanding my world as an artist into the realm of fine jewelry through pieces that feel luxurious, wearable, and enduring.”

    Born and raised in Mumbai, Merchant's appreciation for jewelry began early when she would visit the family jeweler with her mother. “Being surrounded by that world from such a young age gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, detail, and the emotional significance jewelry can carry,” she says. “Over the years, I began designing pieces for myself, and wherever I wore them, people would constantly ask about them.”

    This led Merchant to debut her jewelry line with three collections. Cœur du Monde is inspired by mandalas and balanced geometry, while Muse d’Art transforms Merchant’s original artwork into wearable fine jewelry. The third collection, Renaître d’Or, explores transformation through sculptural gold designs accented with diamonds.

    Sneha Merchant Sneha Merchant brings her artistic vision into the world of fine jewelry with the launch of Maison Merchant, a collection inspired by intricate motifs, craftsmanship, and personal storytelling.Photo by Hung Troung

    “Every piece is designed to transition effortlessly from day to evening while retaining the craftsmanship and presence of high-end jewelry,” says Merchant.

    Clients can personalize many designs in existing collections with different colors and material selections. The pieces are then handcrafted by master artisans in India with more than six decades of experience.

    “Bespoke jewelry has always held deep meaning for me because I grew up watching my mother create custom pieces to mark the most important moments in her life,” she says. “Those pieces eventually became far more than jewelry. They carried history, emotion, love, and memories that were passed down through generations.”

    Every Maison Merchant piece begins as a hand sketch, which she says is often the most time-intensive part of the process. “As an artist, translating a two-dimensional artwork into a wearable, three-dimensional form requires immense detail, proportion, and refinement before the design ever moves into production.”

    Merchant's long-term goals go far beyond the debut collection, which is available exclusively online. “I want people to feel an immediate sense of confidence, refinement, and presence when they wear Maison Merchant,” she says. “My vision for Maison Merchant is to create collectible pieces that people return to season after season and eventually pass down for generations.”

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