Serious Retail Therapy

NorthPark Center brings more of the goods to Dallas shoppers

NorthPark Center is slated to get a slew of new stores, including a first-in-Texas Spanx boutique and Dallas-Fort Worth exclusives such as J. Crew Men's Shop and Tourbillon Boutique. Other new retailers coming to the iconic mall are Rolex and Tory Burch.

J. Crew is opening its first standalone men's store in Dallas. Scheduled to open this fall on level one, between Dillard's and Macy's, the new 2,800-square-foot men's shop will carry pieces from the menswear collection, including Ludlow suits, 484 and Wallace & Barnes Japanese selvedge denim, Italian cashmere, and Thomas Mason for J.Crew shirts. In addition, customers can schedule one-on-one personal style appointments throughout the day and before and after store hours.

Tourbillon Boutique, which has stores all over the world, brings exquisite timepieces from Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Omega and Swatch to the Dallas market. Thanks to a variety of quality brands, there is definitely something for every discerning shopper. The store, located on level one between Neiman Marcus and Dillard's, is slated for a fall opening.

Also this fall, Eiseman Jewels will open an adjacent 800-square-foot Rolex boutique. The shop will carry traditional Rolex models and current designs, and it will house a private viewing area and full-service center for repairs and adjustments. For each timepiece purchased, Eiseman will offer complimentary case back engraving, cleaning and new purchase appraisal.

NorthPark's Spanx store, coming in 2014, will be the first standalone store in Texas. The store will carry a full selection of body-shaping undergarments, swimsuits, activewear and men's undershirts. But, unlike the sad confines of many department store's shapewear departments, the Spanx shop will be sexy and inviting, with pops of red, Lucite finishes and high-gloss lacquer.

Bold American brand Tory Burch will open its second Dallas location at NorthPark in April 2014. (The first is in Highland Park Village.) The store will carry ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, accessories, and fragrance and beauty products.

All of the above is in addition to the previously announced Arhaus Furniture and Pirch (formerly Fixtures Living), which will fill part of the void left by Barneys. Also coming to NorthPark later this year are Green House Market, a bricks-and-mortar location of the popular Green House food truck, and See's Candies and Nespresso coffee.

A standalone Spanx boutique — the first in Texas — is slated to open in NorthPark Center next year.

Photo courtesy of NorthPark Center

A standalone Spanx boutique — the first in Texas — is slated to open in NorthPark Center next year.

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COUNTRY CACHET

Cirque du Soleil in Dallas boasts Western costumes by Beyonce stylist

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Songblazers will be in Houston through August 11.

Entertainment circus tour Cirque du Soleil has mounted a new US tour, one that represents its first foray into an unlikely milieu: country music. CalledSongblazers, it comes to Dallas during the State Fair of Texas with a celebrity behind the scenes: famed stylist Zerina Rosette Akers who created the costumes for the show.

This marks Akers' Cirque du Soleil debut, but she has years of experience in the fashion world. She was Beyonce's personal stylist for nearly a decade and has styled other big names in the entertainment industry, including Houston native Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe and Halle Bailey, and more.

Western influences have taken over mainstream fashion over the past few seasons. Icons in the fashion industry, including Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Dior, and Chloé, have created entire collections around Western style. With Songblazers, Akers had the opportunity to do the same.

"I was inspired by country fashion and country music past and present. I really dug into a ton of different musicians and artists, but also runway style and fashion and how it's incorporated to have the best of both worlds of fashion and music meet," Akers says.

Cirque de Soleil Akers added to Songblazers by telling the story of country songs and music through her designs. Sketch courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Cirque costumes are famously flexible and versatile, allowing the performers to move freely during their performances. According to Akers, she worked with the commonly known aspects of country fashion, adding a Cirque du Soleil essence paired with modern Western-influenced fashion. And, of course, spandex. "Everything has to be spandex 'cause we gotta move," she says.

One of Akers' favorite creations for the show was the famed nudie suit. For those unfamiliar with nostalgic country fashion, a nudie suit is a highly embellished stage costume that became a status symbol of country music performers dating back to the 1950s.

Cirque de Soleil Western Akers designed her version of the famous country music nudie suit. Sketch courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

For many, it became a symbol of the American Dream. Akers created her own version for Songblazers.

"My favorite style piece of the country aesthetic is the nudie suit. It's so glam and rooted in culture and performance; it's just gorgeous," she says.

To complement the costumes, Vanessa Ashley, makeup specialist for Cirque du Soleil, says the color palette for the show is vibrant and happy. She pulled from the colors of the costumes to create a palette of blues, oranges, pinks, and purples. The makeup team teaches the artists how to do their makeup and hair by giving them lessons so they can complete their looks on their own weeks prior to the show.

Songblazers runs September 25-October 11 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Tickets to the show include admission to the State Fair of Texas for the day of the show only, parking not included (does not include September 25-26).

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Songblazers will be in Houston through August 11.

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