Design of the Times

Rising fashion stars descend on Dallas for exclusive show at W hotel

The prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America's board of directors comprises fashion notables Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Marcus Wainwright, Selima Salaun and Vera Wang. When they support an emerging designer, we pay attention.

Last year, W Hotels partnered with the CFDA Fashion Incubator program, which fosters promising fashion talent by helping them grow their businesses. Select designers are currently touring W cities across the country to gain exposure to new retailers, media and fashion elite.

Dallas made the list of stops, and we were there, along with a few fashionable folks who braved inclement weather to catch a glimpse of the designers and their collections.

Hosts Roopal Patel, Joyann King and Nasiba Adilova mingled with guests such as Sue Gragg, Maxine Trowbridge, Pamela Martin-Duarte, Chuck Steelman, Krystal Schlegel, Anais Assoun, Lauren Preston, Christen Wilson, Kristie Ramirez Hoistma and Jackie Bolin before all were ultimately evacuated to the basement due to tornado threats.

These are the highlights before the weather stole the show:

Ari Dein, from lingerie designer Arielle Shapiro, caught our eye immediately. Shapiro's luxurious handmade silk sleepwear can be worn outside of the bedroom — if you dare. The designer's attention to detail (i.e., hand-pressed gold leaf and handmade ribbon) had us coveting a new trousseau.

Kristen Stewart is a fan of Jonathan Simkhai. He designs for the girl on the go who wants a no-fuss, high-fashion look. Simkhai's silk track shorts and easy dresses were crowd pleasers. Find it locally at V.O.D.

Reece Solomon's collection of exotic bags and clutches has attracted the attention of stars like Beyonce (she carried one at the Grammys) and luxury retailers like Barneys. Solomon's uniquely detailed Reece Hudson treasures include the day-to-night "Bowery" oversized clutch and the "Bondage" minaudiere with removable cuff.

Timo Weiland and Alan Eckstein are the design duo behind the Timo Weiland collection for men and women. Their chic and simple pieces are easy to wear, while the innovative prints speak to fashion risk-takers. Shop the line at Piermarini in Dallas.

Jonathan Simkhai fall 2013 look.

Photo by Cooper Neill Getty Images for W Hotels

Jonathan Simkhai fall 2013 look.

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Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in unlikely Texas city

Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen Noël Art Museum

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

A rare exhibition honoring fashion pioneer Halston has popped up in an unexpected place: West Texas. Dallas fashionistas who are fans of the designer can make a five-hour pilgrimage to Odessa’s newly revamped Ellen Noël Art Museum to view "Halston: Inventing American Fashion."

Halston’s minimalistic fashions are rarely the subjects of retrospectives, although the designer’s dramatic life story recently had a pop-cultural resurgence through a 2021 Ryan Murphy miniseries. "Halston: Inventing American Fashion" assesses the talent that made him a household name.

Known now for outfitting 1970s icons like Liza Minelli and Bianca Jagger, Halston changed the international reputation of American sportswear as part of the famous 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, holding his own against Paris’ most lauded couturiers. His uniquely louche style still influences contemporary brands like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Tom Ford, who was briefly the creative director for a revised Halston label.

The mannequins in the Odessa display are outfitted with 75 ensembles from flowing Ultrasuede daywear to more dramatic draped gowns. The pieces “illustrate how Halston revolutionized fashion by prioritizing comfort, confidence, and modern femininity,” according to a release.

Although Odessa may seem an odd choice for the show, Halston had deep Texas connections. After he moved on from hat making, Amarillo millionaire Estelle Marsh was his sole backer willing to fund his first Madison Avenue boutique.

$Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum, Odessa, new facade.$ The new facade at Ellen Noël Art MuseumPhoto courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

$Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum$

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

And the recently completed renovation of Odessa's Ellen Noël Art Museum has some of the designer’s signature sleek. Designed by architect R.J. Lopez, the renovation includes new galleries and improved circulation, but the centerpiece is a striking transparent façade, replacing the original brick of the 1985 building.

“The renovation project has been over 10 years in the making and in the construction phase for the past two years,” says the museum’s buildings manager, Steve Patton, via a release. “The completion of the project has resulted in an incredible facility that is a shining star in West Texas, offering programs and exhibits that will be a destination point for people all over the world!”

"Halston: Inventing American Fashion" will run through March 22. Admission to the Ellen Noël Art Museum is free.

exhibits odessa fashion west texas museums designer texas