Young Talent

Dallas designer Kelly Wynne White turns an accessory obsession into a career

Ole Miss graduate and Dallas resident Kelly Wynne White always had an obsession with handbags and accessories. After working in public relations for three years, she was getting rather antsy. So she began toying with the idea of starting her own handbag company.

"You have dreams like this growing up, but you never think you're going to do it," she says.

White is the epitome of the driven Texas entrepreneur: She does all of her own designs, seeks out materials and hardware, and takes care of the business side.

After loads of research and sketching, in February 2012, White was doing it. She also learned how some of her favorite designers — Tory Burch, Kate Spade and Rebecca Minkoff — launched their lines. "I even found Rebecca Minkoff's factory and honed in on how she started," she admits.

White is the epitome of the driven Texas entrepreneur: Within a year, she had launched her brand. She does all of her own designs, seeks out materials and hardware, and takes care of the business side. "I need interns," she confesses.

All of her efforts have paid off. White's line comprises shoulder bags, clutches, totes, cross-body bags, satchels and hobos, in 23 combinations. All of the bags are made with leather or printed suede; the latter is how she mimics stingray leather in an affordable, but just as chic, way.

The bags are lined with cheerful green fabric and sport the KW logo. Names reflect the celebration of her collection, such as "Mingle Mingle Mini," "Here's to You Hobo" and "Cloud Nine Clutch." Prices range from $295 to $495.

Most of the materials White uses for her bags come from the United States, and she says we have a lot more to look forward to in the fall season, including new colors, new embossed leathers and her favorite color combination: black and camel.

Kelly Wynne handbags are available at Haven and La Marque in Dallas, both locations of French Cuff Boutique in Houston, and Valentine's Too in Austin. Kellywynne.com launches the week of May 6. Until then, you can also pre-order via email at shop@kellywynne.com.

After getting an eyeful of White's collection, we are becoming obsessed with accessories too.

Dallas handbag designer Kelly Wynne White left a career in public relations to start her line.

Photo courtesy of Kelly White

Dallas handbag designer Kelly Wynne White left a career in public relations to start her line.

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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