Amid all the international fashion houses that are opening in the River Oaks District, the mixed use center is adding a local name.
Baanou, a Houston women's clothing store founded by Maryam Afshari dedicated to the appreciation of art, fashion, design and luxury, is the latest to join the new complex on Westheimer near the 610 Loop.
"We're hoping to create something special," Afshari tells CultureMap. "We're one of the only local boutiques going in there, so we want to give Houston something to be proud of."
The shop, which carries such hip Australian labels as C/meo and Finders Keepers The Label and other brands not commonly found in Houston, will be located next to Planet Blue, across from Thirteen Pies and Hopdoddy restaurants. CultureMap had previously reported that the Austin burger joint plans to open its first Houston location at River Oaks District. OliverMcMillan, the developer of the complex, confirmed Hopdoddy will be a tenant on Wednesday.
Afshari likes the location near the restaurants, which are expected to be frequented with young professionals who have disposable income but are not yet able to afford designerwear prices. "Hopefully we can bring that crowd in," Afshari says. "We're one of the only places (in the center) where you can get a dress for under $200."
Afshari opened the store last year on the Shepherd Drive curve near West Gray, but ongoing road construction forced her to close it earlier this year. The new store, at 2,400 square feet, will double the size of the previous location, but Afshari plans to maintain the industrial and classic mix of the previous store, with antique furnishings, Oriental rugs and chandeliers in a space with high ceilings and concrete floors.
She envisions Baanou, which is the world for "lady" in the Farsi language, as a lifestyle boutique carrying a mix of emerging and established designers, along with a private label apparel line, home decor items and gifts. An early December opening is planned.
Other new tenants at River Oaks District include Les Copains, an Italian fashion house featuring women’s ready-to-wear designs, and The Tuck Room, a gastro lounge located in the iPic Theater, "featuring skillfully crafted cocktails and soulful social plates."
Boutiques that have opened at River Oaks District in the last week include Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Cartier, Chopard, Dior, Etro, Giuseppe Zanotti, Intermix, Moncler, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford and Vince.
They will soon be joined by Anne Fontaine, BONOBOS, COS, Davidoff of Geneva Since 1911, Diptyque, Dolce & Gabbana, Harry Winston, Hermès, iPic Theaters, John Lobb, Kiton, L’Occitane, Patek Philippe at deBoulle, St. Nicola, Toulouse Café & Bar, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Vilebrequin.
Maryam Afshari opened Baanou last year.
