Fashion Debut

Fashion-forward Dallas blogger makes the leap to designer with new brand

Dallas blogger-turned-fashion designer Vanessa Posner is set to debut a trio of capsule collections to introduce her new clothing brand, Vendals.

Following the success of her fashion blog The Red Sole Society, Posner decided to try her hand at design, merging influences from her Venezuelan heritage with her current her home in Big D. (The name is an amalgamation of both places.)

"Venezuelan women always like to look impeccable and on-trend," says Posner. "And one of the things I like about Dallas is the women. There are a lot of Venezuela aspects in them. They're fearless and classic, yet fashion-forward in their own way."

The granddaughter of a fashion designer, Posner fell in love with the industry early on. She created her first design at just 10 years old. During her senior year of high school, she took a trip to Miami International University of Art & Design, where her "a-ha moment" hit.

She eventually landed at The Art Institute of Dallas only to move to New York, where she launched The Red Sole Society blog with Donna Lad, fashion editor for Woman's Day Magazine.

Now back in Dallas, the 23-year-old designer hopes to appeal to on-the-go women like herself. Classic with modern touches, the collection features statement shirts designed to be paired with denim. Posner describes the aesthetic as "playful elegance."

"My dream is for the brand to become a go-to for girl bosses around the world," she says. "I want women to think of Vendals as a brand that allows them to express themselves through high-quality fashion made right here in Texas. I want to continue creating conscientious fashion that supports talented people in the Dallas garment industry."

Vendals will debut in three mini capsule collections at a showcase on August 12, at 2914 Taylor St. in Deep Ellum, from 5 to 8 pm.

Vendals officially launches in August.

Photo by Greg Doke

Vendals officially launches in August.

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Workout News

Cardio-crazy fitness studio from Houston opens in Dallas' Preston Center

OneSweat

A Houston fitness concept that specializes in getting you to sweat is expanding to Dallas: Called OneSweat, it's a boutique fitness studio specializing in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and it's opening in Preston Center, at 8220 Westchester Dr., in the former CrossFit Katy Trail space.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a cardio workout that involves alternating short but intense bursts of exercise, using treadmills, with short recovery periods which can last from 15 seconds to 4 minutes. The theory is that you can get your heart rate higher in a quicker amount of time.

OneSweat was founded in Houston by Anabel Barron and Jordan Strouse, and it's a bit of an empire. There is this OneSweat that does HIIT, and there is also a sibling, OneSweat Stretch + Wellness, which has five locations in Houston, and on top of that, there is also OneSweat Pilates, another concept they plan to launch. Lots and lots of Sweat.

The Dallas location is led by fitness instructor and OneSweat's Chief Operating Officer Sherilyn Hardy. It offers a variety of workouts, such as cardio, high intensity interval training (HIIT), and tread exercises.

“From the beginning, we have aimed to provide an innovative and inclusive fitness and wellness experience, and we’re excited to bring OneSweat to Dallas,” Hardy says in a release. “You’re never going to get bored of the same workout at OneSweat because we change our workouts daily to keep your body guessing and focused on the results, eliminating burnout.”

The fitness studio is half cardio training (running, sprinting, and climbing), and half strength training (weights). At 50-minute interval classes, clients spend time on the floor and a Technogym treadmill; treadmills are at the core of each workout and offer enhanced 25-degree incline and sled mode capabilities, testing endurance and power at every step.

There are three categories of membership, including single and package classes, monthly memberships, and unlimited memberships. Memberships range from $34 for one class to $2,700 for a yearlong unlimited membership.

OneSweat joins a very robust fitness scene in Dallas which has multiple concepts both national and local, but OneSweat is convinced it can stand out.

"While OneSweat does have competitors in Dallas, we believe we are in a unique category in terms of intensity and programming," the spokesperson said in an email. "Our approach to fitness sets us apart from the rest."

fitness