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    One haute show

    How to visit Texas museum's new Dior exhibit like a true fashionista

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 27, 2019 | 11:35 am

     UPDATE: The blockbuster exhibition "Dior: From Paris to the World" has been extended through October 27, the Dallas Museum of Art announced on August 15. For tickets and other information, visit the museum's website.

     

    ---

     

    The Dallas Museum of Art is dressed and ready for an extra haute summer. The blockbuster fashion retrospective "Dior: From Paris to the World," which surveys more than 70 years of the House of Dior’s legacy, opened May 19 and runs through September 1.

     

    After a successful run at the Denver art museum, the DMA is the only other U.S. venue for the exhibition. But Dallas' presentation is even bigger and fancier, showcasing almost 200 haute couture dresses, as well as accessories, photos, sketches, and archival material that profile founder Christian Dior and highlight the work of subsequent artistic directors. It also celebrates the lifelong friendship of Christian Dior and Neiman Marcus department store magnate Stanley Marcus.

     

    The entire exhibit spans 12,000 square feet and is broken up into 11 sections. There's a lot to take in.

     

    Whether you're just being introduced to Dior or you have a closet full of couture, here's a quick guide to making the most of a visit to the Dallas exhibition — a handful of viewing tips, highlights, and one very important trick at the end — how to get tickets.

     

     1. Start looking up.
    The installation makes creative use of space, and that starts at the entrance. The black dresses and coats that flank each side are not just wall-dressings. Resist the temptation to walk right by them (or worse, huddle for group selfies and hold up the line behind you). They are the first section of the exhibition, called "Revolutionary New Look."

     

    The name refers to Christian Dior's first collection in 1947, dubbed the "New Look" by the press. His post-World War II fashions signaled a new era of femininity, highlighting female curves, nipping in waists, and accentuating hips. Not everyone was a fan. In some countries, including the United States, protesters denounced his work as frivolous luxury, as a black-and-white photo on the wall shows.

     

    Keep your eyes up as you round the corner into the "Office of Dreams." Here, ethereal white toiles (muslin mock-ups) hang high on the wall, and a mirrored ceiling makes them appear limitless. It's no doubt a literal interpretation of Dior's idea that his studio really was an "office of dreams." Sketches, video clips, and fabric and design samples put you in the heart of the famous Paris atelier.

     

     2. Sort out who's who.
    Die-hard Dior fans know that Christian Dior got only 10 years at the helm of his design house before dying suddenly of a heart attack in 1957. Six artistic directors have succeeded him — each making his or her mark on the house. The section "Creative Directors" showcases eight mannequins wearing looks from each designer, spread out over two rooms.

     

    This part will separate the pretty-dress admirers from the fashion aficionados. If you're in the latter category, you'll take the time to study each designer's distinctive aesthetic: Yves Saint Laurent's trapeze dresses. John Galliano's glittering fantasy gowns. Current artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri's modern femininity. (It's likely no accident that her ready-to-wear ensemble with a T-shirt that says, "We should all be feminists" stands front and center and ready for photo-taking.)

     

    Some of Chiuri's gowns have graced the runway as recently as fall-winter 2018. Practically brand new.

     

     3. Bow down in the cathedral of couture.
    If there's a room that's going to make you say, "Amen," it's the showpiece of the exhibition, "From Paris to the World." The magic is in not just what is displayed, but how it is displayed. It is mounted in the museum's famous 114-foot-long Barrel Vault, featuring 44-foot ceilings.

     

    Visitors walk down the a center aisle, a "catwalk," and on either side — at Anna Wintour-arm's length — mannequins model Dior designs inspired by cultures around the world. Influences include Africa's Maasai people, fox hunting in England, Japanese kimono and cherry blossoms, ancient Egypt, the skyscrapers of New York, and more.

     

    Walk slowly up and down either side, then step at the end of the catwalk and behold the "Ladies in Dior." Thirteen gowns belonging to Dior's celebrity fans and muses are inset into niches, creating a shadow-box effect on the wall.

     

    There's a gown that Lady Gaga wore in January to the SAG Awards. One worn by Rihanna at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. And the gown Jennifer Lawrence wore when she famously tripped up the stairs to receive her 2013 Best Actress Oscar.

     

    Christian Dior once said, "My dresses make a princess of every woman," and there's a real princess represented in this display, too — a gown made for one of his favorite clients, Princess Grace of Monaco.

     

    One practical note: The gowns are so high and far away, you'll wish you'd tucked binoculars into your handbag to get a closer view. (Hey, there's an idea.)

     

     4. Keep an eye out for art.
    Before he was a fashion designer, Christian Dior was an art gallerist. His eye for design started as an eye for art, and the house of Dior has looked to art for inspiration over the last 70 years. The DMA has smartly (and slyly) dropped eight extraordinary artworks like Easter eggs throughout the exhibition. Six are from their collection, and two are on loan from private collectors.

     

    Most prominently displayed is the oil painting The Abduction of Europa by Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre, which serves as the backdrop to the section "Splendors of the 18th Century." The room resembles one at the palace of Versailles, where many of Dior's dresses were photographed. The gowns on display borrow from the 1700s, inspired by decadent court dresses and ornate open robes.

     

    Another artwork that's easy to spot is Claude Monet's Water Lilies, displayed in the room called "Fields of Flowers." "After woman, flowers are the most divine creations," said Dior, who had a passion for gardening. Paintings of Impressionists, especially Monet, inspired his floral embroideries and incredible layered-petal textures. Don't miss the chance to ogle the stunning, floral-inspired "Miss Dior" dress.

     

     5. Mess with Texas.
    Christian Dior had an enduring friendship with Dallas department store magnate Stanley Marcus. In 1947, Dior was awarded the Neiman Marcus Award for his distinguished contribution to fashion, and his trip to Dallas to accept it marked his first international voyage. "To reach Dallas, Texas, I had to cross the ocean and enter the New World," he wrote in his autobiography. This saying is printed on a wall outside of the entrance.

     

    Inside a section called "Dallas and Beyond," photos and memorabilia illustrate Dior's close ties to Marcus, and to Dallas. Their friendship resulted in Dallas' coup as the only American city to show Dior's 1954 "H" line, from which several looks are displayed in the exhibit.

     

    It's tempting to be led by the lure of glamorous gowns throughout the exhibition, and to skip over the nondescript cases and walls with writings and photos. But these little palate-cleansers hold interesting tidbits of history. Don't miss the 1957 Time magazine cover that Dior graced — the first non-American couturier to do so. Royal enthusiasts will love the photo and program of the haute couture fall-winter 1958 fashion show, held in front of Britain's Princess Margaret at Blenheim Palace.

     

     6. Know how to get in.
    Don't drive all the way to Dallas and get stalled at the entrance. Due to its expected popularity and volume of visitors, all guests and museum members must have timed tickets. Adult admission is $20 on Tuesday-Thursday and $25 on Friday-Sunday. (Closed Monday.) Special discounts are available, and tickets can be purchased on the museum's website.

     

    Be sure to pick up the paper Exhibition Guide to follow along; surprisingly, there's no audio guide or downloadable app available.

     

    The DMA has scheduled an impressive lineup of accompanying events throughout the summer. They include A Moveable Feast Book Club focused on "Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior;" special talks with experts like fashion historian Amber Butchart, and April Calahan and Cassidy Zachary from the podcast "Dressed;" and a late-night screening of the excellent 2015 documentary Dior and I.

     

     ---

     

     Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., Dallas, 214-922-1200, www.dma.org. Hours: 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday. 11 am to 9 pm Thursday. Closed Monday.

    Do not just walk by these mannequins at the entrance.

    DMA Dior exhibit
      
    Photo by James Florio, Dallas Museum of Art
    Do not just walk by these mannequins at the entrance.
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    2025 world's best awards

    6 Houston hotels ranked with the best in the world by Travel + Leisure

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 8, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    The Houstonian is back on top as the best resort in Texas.

    Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

    The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

    Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

    The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this "serene sanctuary" for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort's location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

     The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa “The staff treats you like you are a long-awaited family member," said a T+L reader.Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

    "Resort guests receive complimentary access to the fitness club, which has dedicated spaces for a myriad of sports, including nine tennis courts, a shaded jogging trail, an indoor track, and a lap pool," the report said. "On top of the unbeatable facilities and location, the Houstonian’s memorable hospitality had our voters eager for repeat visits."

    In a press release, general manager Steve Fronterhouse said the entire Houstonian team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

    "To be named the best resort in Texas by the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure is not just a reflection of our 27 acres and amenities; it’s recognition of the Southern hospitality and warmth our staff delivers every day," he said. "We are grateful to all of our guests who continue to make The Houstonian their home away from home.”

    The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

    • The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
    • Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
    • JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
    • Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
    • Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine
    Best hotels in the U.S.
    In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best hotels in the U.S., The Post Oak Hotel was also hailed as the No. 1 best hotel in Houston. The hotel succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its on-site restaurants and bars add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities.

    "And naturally, there's a world-class spa on site and a Rolls‑Royce showroom in case you need to pick up a new ride," the report said.

     The Post Oak Hotel Stay in style at The Post Oak Hotel.  Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel  

    A T+L reader said The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel is "a destination in itself" and noted that guests could still have a memorable experience in Houston even if they never step foot off the 700,000-square-foot premises. But if guests did choose to explore everything the city has to offer, the hotel provides an over-the-top travel method.

    "There is a rooftop helipad so that you don't even have to sit in Houston traffic if you don't want to," the reader said.

    The full list of Houston winning hotels, in order, are:

    • No. 1 – The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
    • No. 2 – Hotel ZaZa
    • No. 3 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
    • No. 4 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
    • No. 5 – Hilton Americas-Housto

    Other Texas awards
    San Antonio's Hotel Emma and Fort Worth's Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection were the only two other Texas properties to earn acclaim in T+L's list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S."

    San Antonio was also deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

    In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

    "From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

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