• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    RUNWAY REPRESENTATION

    Houston's 5-day, size-inclusive fashion festival celebrates body positivity

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Jul 30, 2024 | 2:30 pm

    When it comes to fashion, size inclusivity has come a long way in the past few years. Over 65 percent of the women in the United States wear a size 14 or higher, and runways, which traditionally only model clothes on the ultra-thin, are starting to reflect that. There is still much room for improvement, so Curvchella is hosting a bevy of events across five days, hoping to reflect their commitment to advocating for plus-size women in Houston.

    Kimberly Williams, founder of the nonprofit Curvchella and a former personal stylist and designer, teamed up with Macy's Galleria's resident stylist Sally Garcia to kick off the week's events with a fashion show that will feature size-inclusive looks for petite, misses, and plus-sizes. For Garcia, Curvchella is a natural fit for Macy's Galleria.

    "Curves come in all shapes and sizes, and celebrating the diversity of women is something everyone should embrace," the stylist tells CultureMap. "I love that Macy's is so inclusive, recognizing that fashion is for everyone."

    The models in the fashion show will be a mix of professionals, Macy's customers, and community partners, including food blogger and chef Vicky Andrews, affectionately known as "The Queen of Yum." Andrews started her career as a plus-size model and has always been naturally body-positive. She jumped at the opportunity to be a part of Curvchella.

    Vicky Andrews, known as the "Queen of Yum," will be one of the models in Curvchella's fashion show. Photo courtesy of Vicky Andrews/Instagram

    "I've always had the privilege of being organically body-positive, but I realize, as I have interactions with other curvy women, that's not always the case. For various reasons, a lot of curvy women don't feel seen, empowered, or beautiful," Andrews says. "So, having a space that not only allows them to shine but lifts them up in who they are and how they show up is so necessary."

    According to Garcia, designer brands, including Karl Lagerfeld, Vince Camuto, DKNY, and Calvin Klein, continuously expand their size ranges. This fall, customers can look forward to a mix of cargo jeans, wide-legged denim, dresses, cropped and oversized tops, layering pieces, and matching sets in bold colors and prints.

    "When I have shopped at Macy's, I have seen them do well with plus-size fashion, but there's always room for growth," Andrews says. "We've come a long way from when I shopped at department stores as a young girl. Now, as a woman who embraces her curves and sensuality and wants to shine, I've been impressed."

    In addition to the fashion show, Curvchella is hosting a closet sale with pieces from notable influencers and stylists. There will also be workout classes, an entrepreneurial summit, and more. The events will close on Monday, August 5th, which former Mayor Sylvester Turner named "Curvchella Day'' in Houston.

    Visit Curvchella's website for a full itinerary, ticket sales, and more information.

    Photo courtesy of Curvchella

    Festivities will end on August 5th, officially named "Curvchella Day" in Houston.

    curvchellamacy's galleriaqueen of yumvicky andrewsplus size fasthionfashion show houstoncurvchella houston
    news/fashion
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.

    SHOPPING BONANZA

    What to know about the return of Houston's Nutcracker Market for 2025

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Nov 10, 2025 | 12:00 pm
    Nutcracker Market 2024
    Photo by Melissa Taylor
    Shoppers browse festive booths at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market, one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions.

    It’s that time of year again when Houston's most dedicated shoppers trade in their pumpkin spice for peppermint lattes and make their annual pilgrimage to NRG Center, in matching sweatshirts, of course, for the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market.

    Marking the unofficial start of the holiday season, this year’s shopping festivities also celebrate the Houston Ballet Academy’s 70th anniversary. Since 1981, the Nutcracker Market has raised over $97.6 million for the Houston Ballet, with 11 percent of merchandise sales and all ticket proceeds supporting ballet programming and training. In 2024, over 99,000 shoppers helped raise $6.3 million for the Houston Ballet, which trains more than 1,000 students annually and awards over $1 million in scholarships.

    What to Expect

    More than 280 merchants will take over NRG Center for five days, offering everything from holiday décor and jewelry to clothing, accessories, and enough gourmet treats and delicious samples to keep tote bags full and shoppers happy.

    Nutcracker Market 2024 Forty new vendors join the Nutcracker Market this year, offering fresh finds alongside fan favorites.Photo by Melissa Taylor

    New Vendors

    Shoppers will flock to favorites like Royal Standard, Donne Di Domani, Texas Tamale Company, Paul Michael Company, and Round Top Collection. But 40 new vendors are joining the fun this year. A few newcomers worth checking out between mimosas include:

    • Mini Mahjer: Beginner-friendly mahjong sets and travel kits.
    • Hat Chick: A curated collection of hats and authentic adornments.
    • True Honey Teas: Gourmet blends sweetened with honey granules.
    • Let Me Snack: Popped waterlily seed snacks in assorted flavors.
    • Mended: Hand block-printed tea towels and table linens.
    • Vintage Boho Bags: Customized and upcycled boho-style bags.
    • Chocolate Moonshine Company: Gourmet fudge and artisan truffles that make gift-giving easy.
    • Seasoned Straws: Coated, sustainable, flavored straws.
    • Saturday Silks: 100% silk collegiate scarves and accessories.

    Tips for Tackling the Market

    Comfort is key. The Nutcracker Market fills up the NRG Center, so wear shoes made for walking. High heels, sparkles, and sequins may look festive, but comfy clothes are the way to go, especially when shopping for hours and juggling bags all day.

    Crowds are highest in the morning, so plan for afternoon or evening shopping if you want a little more elbow room. Strollers, wagons, and rolling bags aren’t allowed, but wheelchairs, walkers, and service animals are welcome. For those who overdo it on the shopping (and who doesn't, this time of year), take advantage of package check or the optional curbside pickup for a seamless, stress-free exit.

    Tickets

    General admission is $20 for a one-day pass, available at Ticketmaster.com or H-E-B Business Centers. Early Bird Admission is $60 for those who want a 90 minute head start on Thursday and Friday.

    Nutcracker Market 2024

    Photo by Melissa Taylor

    Shoppers browse festive booths at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market, one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions.

    nutcracker marketnutcracker market 2025shoppinghouston ballet
    news/fashion
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.
    Loading...