Designer Interview

Naeem Khan targets fashion-conscious brides with glamorous new wedding gown collection

Given the lavish nature of his designs, it's no surprise that Naeem Khan has expanded into the bridal business, offering gowns with floral deco ribbon appliqué, geometric crystal beading and three-dimensional handmade flowers for that special wedding day.

Khan is busy working on his bridal collection for spring/summer 2015, which he just debuted in New York. Via email, Khan talked about the differences in designing for a bride, how it has affected his ready-to-wear line and what's next.

CultureMap: Why did you decide to expand into the bridal business?

Naeem Khan: I was being asked for a bridal collection constantly by the stores. It was an easy transition, since glamour comes naturally to me, and I have been making wedding dresses for private clients for years. I wanted to finally make them available to more women.

CM: What should your fans expect from this inaugural bridal collection?

NK: They should expect elegance and couture. My techniques are very elegant, yet in simple silhouettes for a fashion-conscious bride.

CM: How does designing a bridal gown differ from designing your ready-to-wear collection?

NK: In my case there is not a huge difference. My bridal collection is designed for the same, once-in-a-lifetime, red-carpet moment with the best craftsmanship and modern cuts to make a bride relevant to today’s fashion.

CM: What are the similarities?

NK: Both are glamorous, with beautiful hand craftsmanship and modern cuts.

CM: Style.com surmised that launching a bridal collection has given you the freedom to design a sultrier ready-to-wear collection. Do you agree or disagree?

NK: I am learning a lot from designing a bridal collection, and I expect that’s reflected in my ready-to-wear line.

CM: Tell us about your spring/summer 2015 bridal presentation.

NK: I am going very glamorous this season. There are certain styles that are over-the-top and handcrafted with new techniques. I want the Naeem Khan bride to have a moment that she will remember for the rest of her life.

CM: How do you plan to expand the collection?

NK: I have all the intentions of expanding my bridal collections in various price categories as well as adding cocktail dresses. It’s all a study, and there is much to be developed.

The Majorca wedding gown from the Naeem Khan bridal collection.

Naeem Khan Bridal Collection trunk show at Joan Pillow Bridal Salon April 2014 MAJORCA

Photo by © Dan and Corina Lecca

The Majorca wedding gown from the Naeem Khan bridal collection.

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Closure News

Dallas-based art store chain is calling it quits after 71 years

Asel

They were a local institution for art supplies.

After 71 years, a revered Dallas-based art store chain is calling it quits. Asel Art Supply, first founded in downtown Dallas in 1951, is closing all its stores as of December 31.

That includes locations in Richardson, Arlington, Fort Worth, two in San Antonio, and one in Lubbock.

The chain previously closed its Plano store as well as its erstwhile flagship location on Cedar Springs Road in Dallas in September.

A spokesperson said the closures were due to a variety of reasons.

"There were a lot of factors, it was not just one thing," the spokesperson said. "COVID for sure. It started with COVID, and the impact that had on supply chain issues and manufacturing problems. But also the consolidation of the industry overall."

Asel was founded by Kenny Asel and his brother Herb, who then sold the business in 1973. In 1987, a trust was created to transfer the company to employee ownership. There are 60 employees.

"It was a decision made by our management team, with advice from our accountant," the spokesperson said.

The closure feels reminiscent of the demise of record stores, another industry whose very environment had the potential to stimulate inspiration.

And for stationery addicts, it was heaven, a treasure trove of colored pens, shiny pens, Parisian sketching crayons, woodless graphite pencils, modeling clay, tracing paper, soft pastels in a rainbow of colors, rulers with cork backing, sketch pads with a fine-tooth surface, chalk, nice wooden easels, so much to like.

The chain is offering 40 percent off all merchandise.

In its heyday, Asel was a source not only for artists and schools, but also for commercial customers such as ad agencies and printing companies. At one point, it had 10 locations.

Art Simmons worked as an art director at Bozell Advertising, back in the 70s, when graphics production was done by hand and required an artillery of paste-up materials like rubber cement, Bestine thinner, Spray-Mount, waxers, gum erasers, and blue pencils.

"We used to have two good art stores back in the '70s: Asel and the Rush Company, where you could buy art supplies," he says. "Rush was more on the commercial side, for art studios, with mounting boards, Exact-O blades, that kind of stuff. This was back in the day when you did everything by hand. With computers, most of that work went online."

"Asel was more for traditional painting and drawing," he says. "They had a good painting section with oils, acrylics, drawing paper, tablets. I think that helped them hang on as long as they did."

Their departure seems likely to benefit Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies & Framing, a North Carolina chain that opened a store at Preston Valley Shopping Center, in 2021, selling art supplies and materials, custom framing, canvas-stretching, demonstrations, and special events.

closings

First ladies who lunch

Laura and Barbara Bush lend presidential panache to cherished Dallas luncheon

Photo by Atali Samuel Photography

Barbara Bush and Laura Bush

What: Austin Street Center Humble Beginnings Luncheon

Where: Hilton Anatole Hotel

Austin Street Center Humble Beginnings Luncheon 2022

Photo by Atali Samuel Photography

Barbara Bush and Laura Bush

The 411: Former U.S. first lady Laura Bush and daughter Barbara Bush — the two "quietest" members of the Bush family (neither having been a politician nor a TV talk show host) — stepped into the spotlight on a rare public outing together to help raise funds for a beloved Dallas organization.

Just how beloved? The 22nd annual Austin Street Center Humble Beginnings Luncheon drew a crowd of 897 attendees to the Hilton Anatole's Chantilly Ballroom on Friday, October 14.

Chaired by Frank Mihalopoulos and Jay McAuley and led by Austin Street Center CEO Daniel Roby, the luncheon and presentation celebrated the center's successes (including a large new facility) and underscored its mission to serve the homeless population of Dallas.

Popular party group Emerald City Band set a celebratory mood by entertaining guests as they arrived and sat down to an autumnal lunch of butternut squash soup and seared chicken breast salad.

Legendary local radio personality and Austin Street Center supporter Norm Hitzges presented Carolyn Lacy Miller the Norm Hitzges Distinguished Service Award for her many contributions to the organization, including the creation of its Sisterhood Program, which serves women who are homeless, have been victimized, traumatized, and suffer with mental illnesses and/or substance use illnesses.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson was presented the Public Service Award. In his acceptance remarks, he became emotional when he talked about how homelessness has affected his family personally.

The highlight of the day was a conversation with Laura and Barbara Bush, moderated by former ambassador, Hon. Jeanne Phillips.

The theme being "service to others," much of the talk focused on the Bushes' initiatives to reach people around the world — from the women of Afghanistan to AIDS victims in Africa. Barbara said a trip with her parents to AIDS-ravaged parts of Africa, in fact, helped change her career trajectory from architecture to global health.

There were light-hearted moments, too. Barbara shared funny stories about growing up, sharing a name with her grandmother - former first lady Barbara Bush. (One laugh-out-loud tale involved an email from a cousin about bikini waxing.) Laura revealed the best advice her mother-in-law gave her: Don't criticize your husband's speeches (advice she didn't always follow, for better or worse).

Laura, along with daughter Jenna and Jenna's daughters Mila and Poppy, she said, recently had been welcomed back to the White House by President Biden and Dr. Biden. During a later concert at the White House, singer Elton John recognized the former first lady for her work on behalf of AIDS causes around the world, she said.

From stage, it was announced that George W. and Laura Bush will receive the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition's Global Leadership Award on December 1, World AIDS Day.

In total, the Austin Street Center raised nearly $800,000 at the Humble Beginnings Luncheon.

To end the inspiring afternoon, each attendee took home a luxurious Xela Aroma candle hand-poured by women of Austin Street Center's Sisterhood Program. Candle proceeds go directly to support the Sisterhood Program and are for sale at xelaaroma.com.

Who: Nearly 900 Austin Street Center staff, board members, patrons, and supporters including Abim Bola, Mary Danz, Bianca Davis, Priya Murphy, Britt Carman, Katelyn Muñoz, Carolyn Arnold, Gail Turner, R. Gerald Turner, and many, many more.

charity fundraisers celebrities luncheons

Pastry News

Acclaimed pastry chef to open sweet shop on foodie East Dallas corner

Nena Postreria

Check out those Gansitos.

An acclaimed Dallas pastry chef is opening her own place: Called Nena Postreria, it's a new shop to be located in East Dallas from Diana Zamora, with a goal of opening by late 2022.

The shop will. open at 4219 Bryan St., in a vintage brick building at the intersection of Peak, across from Bangkok City and Vietnam restaurant.

Zamora has extensive experience doing desserts for restaurants including her most recent gig at the acclaimed East Dallas restaurant Cry Wolf. In 2020, she won Best Pastry Chef in CultureMap's annual Tastemaker Awards.

She's also entrepreneurial, having founded Nena Postreria first as a pop-up concept, which she did out of a commissary kitchen. Now the time has come for a retail shop.

"Nena is named for my mom, who had cancer and passed away a month and a half ago," Zamora says. "Now I can go full force. I figured, I can either go destructive or super productive. 'Nena' was her nickname, and she's the inspiration behind all of the food I make. I started doing Nena as a pop-up and have built the brand for the past year. It was time."

She says she'll do the shop in stages, unfolding new aspects as she gets her footing.

"I still have my commissary kitchen so this will start out as a retail storefront, but we'll slowly build a kitchen," she says. "Eventually, it will evolve into a bakery-coffeeshop-cafe."

The menu will incorporate bestsellers from her pop-ups.

"First and foremost, we'll do Gansitos, they're Mexican snack cakes, like Little Debbie layer cakes with cream and fruit, and a candy coating, in a variety of flavors - those will always be available," she says. "We'll also do cakes including tres leches and carrot cake, and a lot of different conchas, and empanadas. both savory and sweet."

The storefront was previously a jujitsu place.

"It's a cool old building, they managed to keep the original ceiling and it has beautiful natural lighting," she says. "My sister and my older daughter are both artists, and they're doing a mural that's a tribute to my mom. Her middle name was Margarita which means daisy, so that will figure in the mural."

She'll also use the space to showcase local Latino artists and chefs. Giving back to the community is always part of her mission.

"It's not just about the pastry shop but about sharing our culture, and providing opportunity for young chefs," she says.

desserts openings

Designer Interview

Naeem Khan targets fashion-conscious brides with glamorous new wedding gown collection

The Majorca wedding gown from the Naeem Khan bridal collection.

Dallas chef Kent Rathbun partners on innovative restaurant on the Katy Trail

Kid-friendly Dallas neighbor named No. 1 U.S. city for families in new report

7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in Waco

Closure News

Dallas-based art store chain is calling it quits after 71 years

Dallas chef Kent Rathbun partners on innovative restaurant on the Katy Trail

Kid-friendly Dallas neighbor named No. 1 U.S. city for families in new report

7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in Waco

First ladies who lunch

Laura and Barbara Bush lend presidential panache to cherished Dallas luncheon

Dallas chef Kent Rathbun partners on innovative restaurant on the Katy Trail

Kid-friendly Dallas neighbor named No. 1 U.S. city for families in new report

7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in Waco

Pastry News

Acclaimed pastry chef to open sweet shop on foodie East Dallas corner

Dallas chef Kent Rathbun partners on innovative restaurant on the Katy Trail

Kid-friendly Dallas neighbor named No. 1 U.S. city for families in new report

7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in Waco

Designer Interview

The Majorca wedding gown from the Naeem Khan bridal collection.

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Closure News

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First ladies who lunch

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Pastry News

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We will not share or sell your email address.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Dallas intel delivered daily.

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CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
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