Fun in the Sun

Dallas mother-daughter duo proves sun-safe activewear can also be chic

What were you doing when you were a senior in high school? Probably not creating a line of sun-safe activewear that caught the attention of two big-deal television co-hosts.

“In my opinion, one of the best and most unique things about our brand is the story of how it came to be,” says Ashton Gillespie of SKGirl, a company she started with her mom that has been named one of Kathie Lee and Hoda’s favorite things.

Ashton, a senior at Hockaday, spent countless beach trips embarrassed by the long-sleeved turtleneck swim shirts her father made her wear to protect her fair skin from the sun. So she decided to make something she would feel more confident wearing.

SKGirl is designed for surfing, swimming, running, walking or yoga. “Or you can just look active and chic running errands,” says co-founder Ashton Gillespie.

During a family trip to Sea Island, Georgia, the high schooler shared her idea with the family. Her mother, Amity, has more than 15 years of design experience, so the two spent a year tossing around ideas before settling on a design they both loved. The name is short for “sun-kissed girl.”

The line is UPF 50, which differentiates it from everyday rash guards or long-sleeved shirts. With that ultraviolet protection factor, the tops and jackets effectively shield skin from damaging ultraviolet rays. And, unlike sunscreen, the clothes block UVB as well as UVA rays.

SKGirl activewear is designed for all kinds of activities: surfing, swimming, running, walking or yoga. “Or you can just look active and chic running errands or going to class at SMU — all while being sun safe,” Ashton says.

The fashion-forward, made-in-the-USA clothing is a far cry from the embarrassing tops of Ashton’s childhood. And each piece is named after a place the family has visited, for a personal touch.

The St. Tropez top, with high neckline and long sleeves for maximum sun protection, has flattering ruching on the sides. Unzip it slightly for a fun peek-a-boo look with a colorful bikini underneath, or pair it with a miniskirt for errand day. The Phuket top is another favorite, with a fashionable mandarin collar and flattering keyhole neckline.

Prices range from $50-$145, and you can purchase the activewear on the SKGirl website or during a trunk show at places like Exhale Spa or Cabana. For information about upcoming trunk shows, visit the SKGirl Facebook page.

This journey has not only been the start of a great business, but it has also served as some serious mother-daughter bonding time. Amity says she’s forever thankful for this brand that turned her and her daughter into best friends and business partners.

“I hope every time someone wears an SKGirl product, she remembers it was created through the journey of discovery and healing, in the spirit of true love, growth and faith,” she says.

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Use the promo code “culturemap” and get 15 percent off during the months of June and July.

Dallas-born SKGirl makes sun-safe, UPF 50 activewear like this Ibiza top ($125).

Photo courtesy of SKGirl

Dallas-born SKGirl makes sun-safe, UPF 50 activewear like this Ibiza top ($125).

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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