Shopping News

Macy's opens petite store in one of Dallas' newly desirable suburbs

Flo Mo is where it's at right now.

Photo courtesy of MBM

Department store chain Macy's continues its heroic comeback with stores galore across Dallas-Fort Worth and that includes a store they're opening in a newly buzzy 'burb.

The company will open its third "off-mall" store format, Market by Macy's, at the Highlands of Flower Mound shopping center, at 6101 Long Prairie Rd., on October 29. Flower Mound was just crowned the No. 4 spot on Money magazine's list of the 50 best places to live in the U.S. If Money says it, then it must be true.

On the same day, Macy's will unveil its newly renovated Market by Macy's Southlake store, at 321 State St.

Market by Macy's is their smaller-format store, approximately 20,000 square feet, with a smaller selection of Macy's branded fashion presented in an easy-to-shop open environment.

Marc Mastronardi, chief stores officer of Macy's, says in a statement that they're thrilled to continue to expand their new store format and give customers a unique shopping experience. Alas, he also uses the word "curated."

"Market by Macy's will focus on discovery and convenience for our customers, while offering curated Macy's merchandise with a local flair," Mastronardi says.

They debuted their Market by Macy's concept by opening the very first in the U.S. right here in Southlake in February 2020.

Since then, they've learned a few things, which fueled a renovation of the Southlake store they began in July. The result: a brighter and more open shopping environment as well a curated — oh dear there's that word again — assortment of Macy's fashion as customers' personal style source.

Moving forward, all Market by Macy's locations will be similar to the Market by Macy's at WestBend, which opened in January 2021 at 1751 River Run in Fort Worth.

Merchandise assortment
The merchandise assortment is an edit of brands and items available at full-line Macy's stores as well as an expanded selection for beauty, which includes luxury fragrances, prestige skincare, and trend makeup.

The store also highlights Macy's private brands, such as INC International Concepts, Bar III, and Hotel Collection. That includes Macy's newest private brands, which includes:

And Now This, elevated basics and sophisticated pieces for the fashion-forward customer
Oake, a mindfully made home collection that includes bedding, contemporary bath accessories and trendy décor made for modern living

Before you say a word about that "mindfully," be grateful it is at least not another "curated," although truthfully it might as well be.

The newest merchandise will be displayed in something called the Trend Pavilion, which highlights fashionable trends, must-haves, and latest merchandise throughout the season.

The store features an elevated open environment where all merchandise is easily accessible on the floor in an efficient full-service shopping environment.

The pandemic effect
Similar to full-line Macy's stores, Market by Macy's offers all the alternative ways to shop, including contactless curbside pick-up, buy online-pick-up in store, buy online-ship to store, and same-day delivery with DoorDash. Customers can also pay their bill or pick-up orders from the "At Your Service" desk inside the store, a dedicated location for seamless online pick-ups and returns.

There's also a buy now, pay later online option with Klarna, and a rewards program called Macy's Star Rewards, where you earn on purchases.

shopping openings

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