Designer Interview

America's next top designer? Wes Gordon salutes fashion-forward Texas women

Wes Gordon has a lot to be excited about. The fashion world has taken note of the 27-year-old Atlanta native. He has been nominated in the Council of Fashion Designers of America emerging designer category, along with Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters of Creatures of the Wind and Rosie Assoulin. The prestigious award will be given out in New York on June 2.

Gordon learned of the nomination in Los Angeles, where he celebrated with Hollywood tastemakers, including Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Molly Sims and Ali Larter. "I had just landed in LA for a dinner we were hosting to launch the collection at Neiman Marcus, so the timing was perfect — it became a joint celebration," he said via email.

Gordon's fall collection, a mix of streamlined daywear in rich fabrics and military-tinged outerwear that Women's Wear Daily calls "hyper-chic yet cool," will be on view in Dallas on March 20 and 21 at Neiman Marcus NorthPark. The designer himself will be at the store, from 10 am-6 pm both days.

Before his Dallas visit, he chatted with CultureMap about what the nomination means, the Texas look and whether he could live without email for a day.

CultureMap: How does it feel to be nominated in the CFDA's emerging designer category?
Wes Gordon: It's surreal. I was completely surprised! I'm a huge fan of Shane & Christopher's and Rosie's, and I couldn't be more honored to be nominated with them.

CM: What does the nomination mean for you personally and for your business?
WG: When you're a young designer, validation such as this is so important and can really make a difference with both press and retailers.

CM: What do you plan to wear to the big event?
WG: I have zero idea. Ask me in a month!

CM: What five words would you use to describe your fall collection?
WG: Modern, textural, clean, layered and feminine.

CM: What inspired you in creating the collection?
WG: For fall 2014, I challenged myself to combine clean, crisp lines with textural depth. This collection is modern but not sterile, blending feminine and masculine silhouettes.

CM: Do you have a favorite look or looks from the collection?
WG: Looks 12, 21 and 3 (which Elle Fanning just wore). (Editor's note: To see the looks, check out the slideshow.)

CM: Whom do you hope your collection appeals to?
WG: We work really hard to ensure that our collection appeals to a large audience of women. My hope is that each piece finds a home with a woman who appreciates the quality, time and love that's gone into creating it.

CM: Is there a Texas look?
WG: Texas women are incredibly fashion-forward. They have the confidence to really take risks and have fun with clothes, which makes them a designer's dream client.

CM: Do you have a can't miss TV program you watch?
WG: I wish I had more time for TV. I'm a big Homeland fan.

CM: iPhone or Android?
WG: iPhone.

CM: Instagram or Twitter?
WG: Instagram.

CM: Could you survive a day without email?
WG: Yes, delightfully!

CM: What's on your to-do list while in Dallas?
WG: I love coming to Dallas. the shopping is fantastic, the food is incredible and the museums are a great source of inspiration.

Wes Gordon's fall collection includes this crisp trench jacket and skirt.

Photo courtesy of Wes Gordon

Wes Gordon's fall collection includes this crisp trench jacket and skirt.

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RIP Lester

Dallas women's clothing store chain founder Lester Melnick dies at 99

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Lester Melnick

Lester Melnick, who owned an eponymous clothing store chain in Dallas for many decades, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024; he was 99.

Born Norman Lester Melnick on October 29, 1925, Melnick opened his first Lester Melnick women's clothing store in the Preston Royal Village shopping center at 5959 Royal Ln. in 1962, where it became one of THE places to shop. He went on to open 12 stores total, including locations in Richardson, Plano, Arlington, Casa Linda Plaza, Bachman Lake, Fort Worth, and NorthPark.

In addition to his stores, Melnick gained fame as having a hand in the design of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniforms. As one fashion blog notes, this came after Southwest Airlines began dressing their flight attendants in hot pants, inspiring Lester Melnick designer Paula Van Wagoner to incorporate hot pants style into the prototype they created — a style that prevails today.

In 1973, Melnick also designed the "Hockaday plaid" uniforms worn by students at The Hockaday School, the prestigious private school where his three daughters and three of his grandchildren attended. As this 2017 profile notes, when Melnick’s plaid became available, Hockaday students were so thrilled by the incorporation of the color green into a plain black & white that the school celebrated.

Hockaday students in Hockaday plaidHockaday

In an interview with the Dallas Jewish Historical Society in 2011, Melnick recounts his childhood in New Jersey, serving in the Marines, then attending college at the University of Miami where he majored in accounting.

He moved to Dallas initially to sell coats, but eventually went to work for Neiman Marcus for 9 1/2 years, where his creativity caught the eye of company chairman Stanley Marcus who promoted him to the position of buyer.

The Lester Melnick clothing store chain became a family operation, with Melnick joined by his daughter Leslie Diers who headed merchandising; his daughter Julie Dearien serving as business manager; and his wife Cynthia handling special events and public relations as well as overseeing the gift department.

Melnick rose in the Dallas retail world during its heyday, when clothes were still manufactured in the U.S. before moving overseas. But as the fashion world changed, he closed down the business in 2003.

He's survived by his wife Cynthia; three daughters Sara Melnick Albert, and husband Mark, Leslie Melnick Diers, and husband Bryan, and Julie Melnick Dearien, and husband Jim; six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas.

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