Pop up time

Victory Park in downtown Dallas jumps on popups with limited-run boutique

Victory Park welcomes its very first pop-up store.

Photo courtesy of Victory Park

One of shopping's biggest trends has hit Victory Park in downtown Dallas, as the district welcomes its first pop-up retailer, the Dallas-based online brand OETL Co. Founded by Argentina-born, Italy-raised Gisela Borghi-Hocker, OETL Co. stands for Ora et Labora, and features clothes, jewelry, leather goods, and home accessories, handmade by artisans in Italy and Argentina and sourced by Gisela herself.

"At its core, OETL Co. is about preserving global artisanship and bringing it into people's daily life," she says. "There are so many designers and artists around the world who are creating incredible wares, using traditional techniques. The resulting products are each a unique work of art with a soul and a story."

OETL is a pop-up veteran, having popped up in other towns including Houston in spring 2017. The physical pop-up at Victory Park allows for interaction with customers, wherein staff can personally share the story of each product and celebrate the artisans.

Gisela launched her online store OETL in 2015 to introduce luxury products, time-tested techniques, and traditional materials of her Italian and Argentinian heritage. OETL Co.'s products are all hand-selected by Gisela and made by designers and artisans that she has met and befriended throughout her travels. The selection includes this trippy necklace made of paper strips.

The OETL Co. pop-up also features collaborations with other local brands. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 am-6 pm. It runs through October 31 at 2404 Victory Park Ln.

As Victory Park’s first pop-up, OETL Co. marks another milestone in the district redevelopment led by owner Estein USA and retail partner Trademark Property Co. As part of these transformation efforts, Victory is undergoing a remerchandising, adding 85,000 square feet of new retail space, and making key district enhancements to evolve into a more authentic urban neighborhood.

Trademark CEO Terry Montesi says they want Victory Park to be the kind of place where people come to discover something new. "Public art, pop-ups, and unique brands like OETL Co. expose Victory Park tenants, residents, and visitors to fresh, emerging ideas and offer a platform for entrepreneurs and artists to showcase their concepts and craft," he says in a release.

A public art program includes five vibrant murals by local artist Lesli Marshall; an eight-foot steel sculpture in the "V-sign hand gesture by California-based artist Nathan Mabry; and additional pieces rolling out in the coming months, including a large sculpture by Las Vegas artist Tim Bavington, set to be installed this fall near the W Dallas – Victory Hotel.

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Charleston jewelry boutique Hart makes Texas debut on Dallas' Knox St.

Photo by Kathy Tran

The new HART Dallas boutique at 3212 Knox St.

Charleston-based personalized jewelry brand Hart is debuting its first Texas boutique in Dallas, and it couldn't have picked a better spot than the bustling Knox Street district.

The boutique will open Saturday, August 29 at 3212 Knox St., marking the company's fifth retail location nationwide, after stores in Charleston, New York, Nashville, and Nantucket.

According to a release, the Dallas shop will offer Hart's (officially styled HART) popular collection of talismans, chains, cords, bezel jewelry, earrings, and gemstone strands, designed to be mixed and layered. The brand is particularly known for personalized jewelry, with shoppers able to work one-on-one with a member of the Hart team to select symbols and talismans for a custom piece.

The Dallas location will also carry a collection of pieces created specifically for the Texas market, the owners say.

HART Exclusive Dallas charms at Hart.Photo by Kathy Tran

For the store's design, Hart worked with Dallas firm Burkle Creative, which specializes in residential, hospitality, and retail interiors.

"Hart has built a brand around meaningful pieces that tell a story, so our approach was to create a retail environment that feels equally personal," says Javier Burkle, Burkle Creative principal and creative director, in the release. "We wanted the Dallas store to honor Hart's Charleston heritage while embracing the spirit of Texas, blending their unique character and a sense of discovery throughout the space.

"The result is a store that feels like stepping into the home of a well-traveled collector, where every detail invites customers to explore and connect with the brand."

The Dallas opening follows Hart's move into a permanent New York flagship on Bleecker Street in the West Village.

"Dallas has one of the most stylish, confident, and individualistic customer bases in the country," says Hart Hagerty, Hart chief creative officer. "We've been inspired by the Dallas woman for years, her boldness, her sense of self, her commitment to dressing with intention. We are so excited to finally be here."

Curry Hagerty, Hart's CEO, said Dallas has been a hot market for the brand online and through local wholesale partners Clover and St. Bernard. Now they're bringing everything directly to Dallas shoppers.

"Dallas has consistently been one of our top markets for online sales," Hagerty says. "We also have strong wholesale relationships already in the market through Clover and St. Bernard, so we know this customer and she knows us. Opening in Dallas was less a question of if and more a question of when."

HART Dallas Hart joints the bustling Knox St. shopping and dining district.Photo by Kathy Tran

Hart's new store will be part of the Knox Street shopping and dining district, near the Katy Trail and surrounded by more than 70 shops and restaurants.

A grand opening event will take place Saturday, August 29 beginning at 10 am. The first 50 people will receive a custom Hart Dallas tote, custom bandana, and $50 gift card. A latte art cart will be on site to supply sustenance.

Once fully open, the Dallas boutique will be open 10 am-7 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-6 pm Sunday.

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