We Love IT

Nordstrom’s love affair with Italy produces special pop-in only for Texans

Nordstrom is bringing the impossibly elegant style of Italy to four lucky stores in Texas. As of March 4, the Lone Star locales boast an exclusive store-in-store arranged through the Italian Trade Commission (ITC) called Pop-In@Nordstrom Loves Italy.

At these special locations — Galleria Dallas, Houston’s Galleria, Austin’s Barton Creek Square, and San Antonio’s Shops at La Cantera — find Italian products from 55 brands, including apparel, accessories, jewelry, footwear, eyewear, perfumery, and beauty.

There are items to covet at nearly every price point: from only $4 all the way up to $1,250. And, in some instances, this is the first time these brands have ever been available in the United States.

“We have met so many incredibly talented designers from all over Italy who all have amazing stories to tell about their companies,” says Olivia Kim, Nordstrom VP of creative projects, in a release. “We really just wanted to see what was out there and be sure we could offer the range of Italian fashion, and it’s exciting to give these brands a platform to be exposed in the U.S. for the first time.”

The pop-in is part of Nordstrom's “We Love IT” initiative, begun last year as a campaign in eight Texas stores to highlight existing Made in Italy merchandise. For this second phase, Kim personally scouted in Italy (nice work if you can get it). She and her team started with 700 brands and whittled it down to the 55 now featured in these Texas Nordstroms.

A Nordstrom spokesperson says the decision to do these pop-ins only in Texas was made together, by the retailer and the ITC, but was “greatly influenced” by ITC’s eagerness to do more business in our great state.

Pop-In@Nordstrom Loves Italy runs from March 4-April 17 and includes a series of events dedicated to Italian lifestyle, from food to music.

Find Tramontano bags at the We Love IT pop-in at Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Find Tramontano bags at the We Love IT pop-in at Nordstrom.

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Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in unlikely Texas city

Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen Noël Art Museum

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

A rare exhibition honoring fashion pioneer Halston has popped up in an unexpected place: West Texas. Dallas fashionistas who are fans of the designer can make a five-hour pilgrimage to Odessa’s newly revamped Ellen Noël Art Museum to view "Halston: Inventing American Fashion."

Halston’s minimalistic fashions are rarely the subjects of retrospectives, although the designer’s dramatic life story recently had a pop-cultural resurgence through a 2021 Ryan Murphy miniseries. "Halston: Inventing American Fashion" assesses the talent that made him a household name.

Known now for outfitting 1970s icons like Liza Minelli and Bianca Jagger, Halston changed the international reputation of American sportswear as part of the famous 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, holding his own against Paris’ most lauded couturiers. His uniquely louche style still influences contemporary brands like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Tom Ford, who was briefly the creative director for a revised Halston label.

The mannequins in the Odessa display are outfitted with 75 ensembles from flowing Ultrasuede daywear to more dramatic draped gowns. The pieces “illustrate how Halston revolutionized fashion by prioritizing comfort, confidence, and modern femininity,” according to a release.

Although Odessa may seem an odd choice for the show, Halston had deep Texas connections. After he moved on from hat making, Amarillo millionaire Estelle Marsh was his sole backer willing to fund his first Madison Avenue boutique.

$Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum, Odessa, new facade.$ The new facade at Ellen Noël Art MuseumPhoto courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

$Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum$

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

And the recently completed renovation of Odessa's Ellen Noël Art Museum has some of the designer’s signature sleek. Designed by architect R.J. Lopez, the renovation includes new galleries and improved circulation, but the centerpiece is a striking transparent façade, replacing the original brick of the 1985 building.

“The renovation project has been over 10 years in the making and in the construction phase for the past two years,” says the museum’s buildings manager, Steve Patton, via a release. “The completion of the project has resulted in an incredible facility that is a shining star in West Texas, offering programs and exhibits that will be a destination point for people all over the world!”

"Halston: Inventing American Fashion" will run through March 22. Admission to the Ellen Noël Art Museum is free.

exhibits odessa fashion west texas museums designer texas