LEGGINGS + LATTES

Athleisure giant Lululemon opens Houston flagship with in-store cafe

Athleisure giant Lululemon is back where it all started. The brand has opened a massive new Houston store at Highland Village, returning to the shopping center that launched its Texas retail run in 2007. This time, however, it is not a small boutique. It is a full-scale flagship store with the first-ever La La Land Kind Café inside, giving Highland Village one more reason to draw a crowd.

The cult-favorite café serves exclusive drinks created just for this location, including a Double Chai Latte and Coconut Cloud Matcha. In-person shoppers can score drinks at 50 percent off through January 4 and via the app through January 16.

La La Land Kind Café also joins Lululemon’s Partner Perks program tied to Lululemon Membership, giving members access to select benefits. It makes it easier for shoppers who treat errands like a routine to use coffee as a delicious reward.

Lululemon x La La Land Texas-based artist Kyle Steed adds to the local appeal of the new Highland Village store. Photos courtesy of Lululemon

The new store is directly next door to the brand's first Texas outpost, which made Highland Village ground zero for Lululemon's growth in the state. At 9,400 square feet, the outpost is among Lululemon’s largest in the country. The space, previously owned by Smith & Wollensky, traded steaks for elevated sweat-sesh style.

Shoppers can expect a light, bright, and spacious shopping experience with a full range of products for both women and men. The store features branded apparel from the Lululemon x La La Land Kind Café collaboration, as well as a limited-time sweatshirt designed by local graffiti artist Donkeeboy, available as a gift with purchase (over $300, while supplies last). Adding to the local appeal, the store features a mural by Texas-based artist Kyle Steed.

Here's a tour of the store courtesy of popular influencer Marfisa Fiala

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A post shared by Marissa Fiala | Houston, TX (@houstonhotspots)

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Lululemon x La La Land Kind Cafe, 4007 Westheimer Rd, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77027. Store Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7 am - 7 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm.

Photos courtesy of Lululemon

Hundreds of shoppers lined up for the grand opening of the first-ever Lululemon x La La Land Kind Cafe store opening in Highland Village on December 19 .

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VAULT VIBES

Houston fashion star Chloe Dao marks 25 years with epic clean-out sale

Photo courtesy of Chloe Dao

From January 24- 31 Chloe Dao will open her personal design archives to mark 25 years with a rare boutique vault sale.

For Houston fashion devotees, this is the kind of news that prompts a calendar alert and a group chat with the besties. Chloe Dao is celebrating 25 years in fashion by doing something she has never done before: opening the vault.

From January 24 through January 31, the Chloe Dao boutique will host a 25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Vault Event, releasing pieces from Dao’s personal design archives alongside curated boutique items that have been held back for years. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.

“This is not a typical sale; this is an anniversary moment,” Dao says. “It’s an intentional release, a moment of reflection and gratitude, and a way to make space for what’s next. Once these pieces are gone, they’re truly gone."

For the first time ever, shoppers will be able to snag select designs from past collections and limited production runs, and Dao has confirmed she will be parting with some of her couture designs. Shoppers can expect more than 300 items, with more than half of the boutique included in the sale event.

Chloe Dao design Select runway couture and past collection pieces headline Chloe Dao’s 25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Event.Photo courtesy of Chloe Dao

Everything in the anniversary sale will be discounted 65 percent or more. Fan favorites, including the Houston T-shirt and Aya scarf, will be priced at $15 to $20, down from $42 to $68. None of the released pieces will be reproduced or restocked.

There is also a very personal moment behind this big event. Dao shared that she is planning for the future, including her eventual retirement in about 5 years, making this the right time for a shift.

“It is bittersweet, and I’m still torn about letting go of some of my archive pieces. But a close friend stopped by the boutique this past Saturday and reminded me that I can always create more. That really stayed with me. I’ve missed designing for my store, and this sale feels like a reset — a chance to return to what I love most: designing eveningwear," Dao tells CultureMap. "The past six years, especially post-COVID, were very much about survival mode. Now, if I’m going to truly survive and thrive in today’s retail landscape, my focus is shifting back to my own line and less on curation.”

Following her Project Runway Season Two win and decades of success, Dao says the milestone is also about gratitude for the city that supported her from the start.

“Think of it as an archive release and a chance to own a piece of my history as I celebrate 25 years in fashion. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I’m so excited to share this moment, and this milestone, with you."

25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Vault Event, January 24 - January 31, Chloe Dao Boutique, 600 N Shepherd Dr #115, in M-K-T Heights.

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