get round top ready

9 Houston fashion brands crafting must-have looks for Round Top trips

Many Houston brands are debuting special collections just in time for the upcoming Round Top Antiques Show.

Photo courtesy of Visit Round Top/Instagram

For many, the official start of fall is when pumpkin spice floods the market. For Houstonians, however, autumn begins with the Round Top Antiques Show. With the main events happening between October 5 and 19, Houstonians still have plenty of time to nail those Round Top ensembles and map out the ultimate buying trip in this tiny Texas town.

From Houston brands with statement-making frocks, to one-of-a-kind art, vintage accessories, and the it boot of the season, any shopper will find the perfect, must-have item to complete their look. It's nearly time to set that out-of-office – Round Top is calling.

Christy Lynn
Everyone's favorite Houston designer is debuting in Round Top at Blue Hills from October 5 to 19. Shoppers can snag key styles from her fall Bijou Collection, which includes leather dresses and jackets and cotton and linen dresses. The collection is perfect for Houston's temperate climate and can be dressed up or down for nearly any occasion this season. The brand will be a main draw near the front entrance to give shoppers a first look at her newest offerings.

Shop Christy Lynn's newest fall collection, Bijou, at Blue Hills in Round Top. Photo courtesy of Christy Lynn

City Boots
Go from shopping all day to partying all night in City Boot's latest collection, 24/7. Launched just in time to get Round Top ready, the boot features a pronounced pull as a nod to the vintage boots of 30 years ago. The 24/7 boot is available in three colorways, gold, honey, and bone, and doesn't have stitching, ensuring it is a seamless style maker.

City Boot's newest collection 24/7 is perfect for Round Top looks. Photo by Jana Cantu

Junk Gypsy
Amie and Jolie Sikes, the Junk Gypsy sisters, are making sure a trip to Round Top is not complete without an ultra-cool graphic tee. Custom-designed specifically for the Fall 2024 Show, the Texas-inspired designs are available in various colors and styles, including long sleeves, chambray, fleece, and pocket tees.

Snag a souvenir Round Top tee from Junk Gypsy. Photo courtesy of Junk Gypsy

Hibiscus Linens
Founder of the must-shop Love Pretty Things Pop Up at Blue Hills, Hibiscus Linens owner Mariana Barran is debuting new cocktail napkins and handkerchiefs to add to her sought-after hand-embroidered goodies. Available from October 5 to 26, the latest styles will feature barns, bandanas, boots, and bluebonnets.

Shop Hibiscus Linens new cocktail napkins and bandanas at Blue Hills in Round Top. Photo courtesy of Hibiscus Linens/Instagram

Katie Kime
The "Queen of Toile" partnered with Texas hospitality icon Cinda Palacios to debut a special Round Top toile for October's show. In collaboration with Hotel Lulu and available exclusively at Palacious' Italian restaurant Lulu's and on KatieKime.com, the sleepwear set is available in three styles and features Round Top and Texas iconography.

Two Texas icons collaborated on a sleepwear collection featuring Round Top and Texas iconography. Photo courtesy of Katie Kime

Laura Rathe Fine Art
River Oaks District's fine arts maven Laura Rathe is debuting a new exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Hunt Slonem. Larger than Life will open on October 14 at The Halles in Round Top.

Laura Rathe is debuting a new exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Hunt Slonem at The Halles in Round Top. Photo courtesy of Laura Rathe Fine Art

Magnolia Mercantile
Known for her custom hat bars and stunning vintage pieces, Magnolia Mercantile is a go-to for Round Top accessories and clothing. The mobile hat bar recently settled into permanent digs in the Upper Kirby area and is ready to outfit shoppers with customized hats, vintage jewelry, and a special collection of Round Top outfits.

Magnolia Mercantile recently debuted a new outpost in the Upper Kirby area along with special Round Top accessories and the brand's popular custom hats. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Mercantile/Instagram

Sapana
Quintessential Round Top brand Sapana recently debuted its stunning flagship store in Henkel Square. Designed by Lauren Wills Grover of Wills Design Associates, the bright showroom features custom upholstery made by Sapana's fabric maker in India. Shoppers can add to their Round Top looks with the brand's latest drops, the Barn Coat and the Sapana Dumpling Purse. The Barn Coat is an oversized long-sleeve mix of denim and Kantha quilt, while the Dumpling Purse is made from repurposed vintage silk saris.

Sapana has a vibrant, freshly designed showroom and new styles perfect for the fall show. Photo by Jordan Geibel

round top texas round top fall 2024 junk gypsy christy lynn collection sapana city boots katie kime round top fall show 2024

HAUTE HOUSTON

High fashion label Sachin & Babi makes rare Houston appearance

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi is hosting an exclusive shopping event so Houstonians can snag pieces from their Resort Collection on November 12 from 5 to 8 pm at Avant Art Gallery.

Having dressed the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Mindy Kaling, and Octavia Spencer, high fashion label Sachin & Babiis known for its attention to embellishment, color, and silhouette. Ahead of the sold-out Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon, where the New York-based brand will be headlining with ready-to-wear looks from their fall collection, Sachin Ahluwalia, one-half of the high fashion duo is making a rare in-person appearance in the Bayou City.

"We are thrilled to see what Sachin & Babi will bring to our Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon," Angie Lane, Houston Ballet's chief development officer, tells CultureMap. "Saks Fifth Avenue has been an invaluable partner over the years, consistently creating an engaging and dynamic show for Nutcracker Market luncheon guests."

The brand, which has a large customer base in Texas, has its sights set on more permanent digs and retail expansion in the Lone Star State.

"In Texas, fashion is embraced in the truest sense. There's a celebratory spirit and full-of-life energy that aligns with our brand ethos," said Ahluwalia. "Our goal in everything we create is to celebrate the women who inspire us and remind us why we do what we do. I have always believed that the most important component of a woman's wardrobe is her smile, and Houston has that joyfulness so ingrained in its culture."

We sat down with Sachin Ahluwalia to discuss the brand's fall collection and what we can look forward to from the label in 2025.

CultureMap: How would you describe your fall collection?
Sachin Ahluwalia: Each season, we're inspired by the nature surrounding us, but this fall, we were particularly struck by the captivating beauty of botanical flowers. We referenced some of our favorite photographers who have captured striking macro shots of oversized blooms, and from this, we focused on the romantic allure of a 'White Rose in Moonlight.' While we often envision roses bathed in sunlight, a rose is equally enchanting beneath the moon's glow. There's a subtle message there — a reminder that beauty can thrive even in the quiet of night.

CultureMap: What colors and fabrics are you leaning towards for fall and winter?
SA: This fall, we focused on deep floral contrasts on luxurious viscose chiffon, faille, and Mikado. As fall also welcomes the return to the social calendar and gala season, we emphasized intricate beading and embroidery, creating unique, wearable pieces that make her feel her best for all the celebrations ahead.

CultureMap: When you create a collection, who are you designing for?
SA: For the past decade, Sachin & Babi has been redefining what it means to dress for life's most memorable moments. We design to a level of sophistication rather than any particular demographic. Aiming to offer more than just a garment, we want to give our customers a transformative experience that celebrates each person's unique style and story. We dress her for her most special occasions because she deserves to feel extraordinary without compromise.

CultureMap: What has been inspiring you for your 2025 collections?
SA: We are inspired by the incredible women in our country. She continues to marvel and inspire us with her confidence, elegance, and beauty. We're committed to helping her feel her most beautiful for all of her special moments, big and small.

CultureMap: Do you think you will ever move away from your east-meets-west aesthetic?
SA: It's hard to divorce ourselves from our natural inclinations and DNA. Babi and I spent our first 20 years in India, but we've spent the last 30 years building our home in New York City. We embrace our natural propensity for color, craftsmanship, and embroidery from India and marry it to the lifestyle of the women we know and adore in the US. Our goal is to converge traditional Indian techniques with a modern sensibility to create ready-to-wear that feels made for you.

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi held an exclusive shopping event in Houston.

sachin & babi saks fifth avenue houston fashion show sachin and babi