Fall Fashion Preview

Kenneth Cole uses social media to make a point about fall collection

Known for his socially conscious advertising, Kenneth Cole always strives to stand out from the fashion pack. Before unveiling his fall collection at New York Fashion Week, he delved into the idea of how we edit our lives through social media with a witty video.

In it, Alan Cumming and Rachel Dratch star as friends who constantly try to one up each other through texts, Twitter and Instagram:

"Of course, designers know all about creating personas — what else are fashionable clothes than a way of projecting an image of who we are, or would like to be, and what we think and where our cultural or urban-tribal images lie," Cole said in his program notes.

"Urban gypsy" is the persona Cole has developed for fall. It aims to be nonchalantly hip, with a mix of layers, textures and fabrics. Looks range from coats to calf-hair shorts to women in pinstripe suits and men in baggy leather shorts — all topped with Pharrell-sized hats. Colors of black, gray and white predominate, with a touch of chile red to spice things up.

Cole's accessories shine, which is not surprising, because that's where he's made his fortune. Footwear for women includes lace-up-to-the-knee combat boots and leather ankle-strap booties with a snakeskin heel; for men, boots come in a variety of styles, from lace-up Velcro to double-zipped with lug soles. A snakeskin cellphone case can serve as a women's necklace, while leather-and-calf-hair backpacks make a men's fashion statement, along with fingerless gloves for both sexes.

The look skews young — probably too youthful for Cole's middle-age celebrity front-row friends, including Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Strahan and Chris Cuomo, all of whom seemed bemused to be at a fashion show but excited to be there nevertheless.

Bon Jovi, who graciously posed for selfies with admirers, admitted, "I don't go to fashion shows, so this in fun."

Kenneth Cole tweed top, crepe halter top, beaded collar, calf-hair static-print flared skirt, leather combat boots.

Photo by Dan Lecca

Kenneth Cole tweed top, crepe halter top, beaded collar, calf-hair static-print flared skirt, leather combat boots.

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Shopping News

Where to shop in Dallas right now: 7 zany new stores to check out

Thrifted Threads

Thrifted Threads chill vibe

With the holidays on the horizon, shopping is on the rise. This November edition of Where to Shop, CultureMap's monthly roundup of new shops, sales, and alternative shopping, has five unique new openings, ranging from fashion to skin care to sports apparel.

The roundup also includes two non-traditional entries, including a new benefits program at an area mall, and a place to get your passport — in case you're planning on shopping abroad.

Here's where to shop in Dallas for November:

Baseballism
Baseball camp that transformed into an off-field baseball clothing brand is now open at Allen Premium Outlets. The store offers baseball-themed clothing, hats, and accessories. Their collection features collaborations with several big league names, including MLB, Babe Ruth, Vin Scully and Field of Dreams. Caps and hoodies are especially popular items, such as the Junior's Silhouette for $36 or the short Sleeve Yankees hoodie for $79.

Firewheel Town Center
Garland shopping center is in the giving spirit with its latest Shop, Dine & Save program. Visitors can shop or dine at select stores, including Buckle, DSW, and Razzoo's, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen, and receive a $25 Simon giftcard when they spend $150 or more. To get the giftcard, receipts have to be shown at the mall management office and include at least one shop and one restaurant from the same day. The special lasts through November 27.

Hill House
Originally a bedding company that launched in 2016, Hill House has extended their collection to offer home, accessories, baby & kids, bridal, and apparel. They opened a location in NorthPark Center at the end of October — their first in Texas and only their fifth store. Hill House is best known for the "Nap Dress," a flowing dress made for day or night wear. There's also a short version of the dress, such as the Scarlett Long Sleeve Mini, a plaid dress for $188. Just in time for season, they've launched holiday pajamas, featuring pajama sets, robes, and children's sets.

Glossier
Skincare, beauty, and fragrance concept just opened a 1,000 square-foot store at NorthPark Center, featuring its trademark whimsical displays that one might mistake for an art supply or paint store. They sell fragrances, scented skin creams, balms, cleansers, moisturizers, makeup, eyelash curlers, and other beauty products, a little on the pricey side, but they make the shopping experience fun with an immersive shopping experience. That stuff doesn't come for free. This is their 12 location in the U.S., joining Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, NYC, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Rally House
Sports apparel chain opened a location at Rockwall Crossing Shopping Center in Rockwall, with merchandise — headwear, accessories, collectibles — dedicated to Dallas-area teams including Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and college teams like the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Texas A&M Aggies. They also offer locally-themed apparel and accessories that celebrate Dallas destinations and landmarks, such as an Uscape Pom Mens Knit Hat with a graphic of the Dallas skyline for $30 or a long sleeve Dallas sweatshirt for $42. This is the 22nd location in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Thrifted Threads
Houston-based vintage clothing reseller just made its debut in Deep Ellum at 2646 Main St. #620, next to Vidorra. Thrifted Threads was founded by Laith Awad, who began reselling clothes in 2017, initially as an online store until he opened a location in 2022 in Houston's Montrose District when he was only 18. He opened a second store in College Station in 2023. Deep Ellum is the third. They're known vintage apparel from jerseys to sweatshirts and hats, as well as collections of color-sorted clothes from the 70s to the 2000s. It's more than a store, with arcade games that don't require coins to play, a motorcycle display, and ice cream.

Collin County Passport Office
If you're "shopping" for a passport, a passport office just reopened in the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney. The new passport acceptance office will initially be appointment only, with bookings available through the District Clerk's website. Plans are underway to introduce same-day and walkup services in the near future.

openings where to shop