for your consderation

Chic NYC luxury and fashion store strolls into River Oaks District with first Houston locale

As locals who’ve visited the chic Conservatory in New York’s buzzy Hudson Yards are aware, the store boasts urbane, elegant looks, accessories, scents, and lifestyle products — all with a sense of “considered luxury” (oh, and the tearoom is not to be missed).

Now, for consideration, The Conservatory is opening a new in tony River Oaks District on Thursday, September 29, marking the third boutique in Texas (Dallas is home to two). Savvy shoppers can browse a spacious, 3,300 square-foot, natural light-filled space home to myriad brands and products that all focus on founder Brian Bolke’s vision of slow fashion, sustainability, shared economy, and innovation.

In keeping with the store’s artful eye, the Thursday opening will also feature an exhibit of large-format abstract painting by noted Dallas artist William Atkinson, courtesy of Erin Cluely Gallery.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Houston community at River Oaks District,” Bolke tells CultureMap. “We have carefully curated our favorite brands and we can’t wait to introduce them to the city. Some exciting new launches as well as long-time favorites of The Conservatory that we know Houston will be excited to discover. Most importantly, I'm confident that Houston is going to embrace our belief in ‘Considered Luxury' — our passion for beautiful products that also make the world a better place.”

Women can pursue city suiting, purses, loungewear, and elevated, innovative looks. Diamond jewelry, baubles, accessory pieces, and even pinky rings abound, as do bath and body products, skincare, fragrances, and candles for that perfect zen.

Men can find hip, urban, comfortable jackets, polos, tops, pants, and shoes — plus slim wallets. Home goods include haute decor items and objects, books and paper wares, and countless gifts.

Brand-conscious buyers can look forward to fashion labels such as Gabriela Hearst, Maison Margiela, and Courréges (all exclusive to Houston), as well as Mugler, Lapointe, Philosophy, Michael Kors Collection, and Brandon Maxwell.

Accessories include Metier, Paul Andrew, and Neous (all exclusive to Houston). Sidney Garber, Mallary Marks, Tabayer, Shihara, Lisa Eisner (all exclusive to Houston) and more can be found in jewelry.

Men’s looks include Maison Margiela, NN07, Aspesi, and Ron Dorff. Scents include Perfumer H, DS and Durga, The Harmonist, Costa Brazil, Susanne Kaufmann, and Frama. Fans of Georg Jensen, Saved Cashmere, and Phaidon Books will be pleased with the home goods collection.

Pushing a fluid, blended approach to brick and mortar and online, Bolke has won high praise for his curated offerings, design, and forward-thinking approach to retail and fashion. (Vogue called his NYC Hudson Yard presence a “true tipping point for retail.”)

Bolke opened his two Dallas “galleries” in Highland Park Village, along with a pop-up in Napa Valley, California. No doubt, Houstonians will consider his “considered luxury” offerings a considerable boost to the local shopping scene.

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The Conservatory; 4444 Westheimer Rd., F 100 in River Oaks District. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday noon to 5pm. For more information, call 713-299-0903 or visit the official website.

Photo courtesy of The Conservatory Houston

The Conservatory opens September 29.

A Clear Choice

Texas handbag brand Consuela debuts clear collection for stadium use

Photo courtesy of Consuela

These bags fashionably comply with stadium rules.

Transparency is key for this new stadium-friendly product line by Austin handbag brand Consuela. The new line recreates the brand's top-selling silhouettes in a clear material that makes them easy to carry at venues with long security lines.

This is the first time Consuela has produced clear bags, press materials say.

It's certainly possible to pack any small bag and spend a minute on a security check at the gate, but if attendees want to carry more, sometimes venues require a clear bag; at Reliant Stadium, for example, a non-see-through bag can only be four-and-a-half inches by six-and-a-half inches or smaller.

Conseula clear bags You don't have to put bags in the "tool bag" silhouette.Photo courtesy of Consuela

Each clear Consuela bag has a bit of personality thanks to a printed, opaque strip of material across the top and a colorful strap that's interchangeable for different carrying styles: wearing the bag crossbody, on the shoulder, or as a clutch. Leather accents also elevate each piece, which contains interior pockets, a credit card holder, and a removable piece that gives the base structure or, when it's removed, allows the bag to collapse.

With three shapes and three patterns or colorways, there are nine distinct bags in the collection. The largest style is 11 inches by nine and a quarter inches, with a three-inch depth. Two smaller styles are more clutch-sized. The top material can show off a colorful paisley-like design, leopard print, or an understated cream leather to match the rest of the trim.

Conseula clear bags Grouping items in smaller cases can make a clear bag look neater.Photo courtesy of Consuela

The new collection ($125-235) is available now at consuelastyle.com. Shoppers can also check the bags out in person at Consuela's Katy store at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard. Other retailers selling Consuela bags can be found through the brand's store locator.

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A Clear Choice

Texas handbag brand Consuela debuts clear collection for stadium use