Dress to Impress

8 reasons every Dallas trendsetter should attend the Stylemaker Awards reveal party

Guest at Dallas Stylemaker 2016 Reveal Party

Benefit will set up a cosmetics bar that allows guests to try makeup looks from different decades.

Photo by WJNPHOTO

It's almost time to celebrate the most fashionable women and men in Dallas in high style. On October 26, we will honor the six finalists at the fourth annual CultureMap Stylemaker Awards reveal party at Tootsies, and we hope you'll join us.

But, what do you wear to such a fashion-forward fete? Here are some details about the party to help you plan.

Themed "Defining Decades of Style," the party will celebrate style icons of the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s — Twiggy, Cher, Prince, and Kate Moss. Party-goers are encouraged to dress for whichever of those decades speaks to their soul. Think Bond Girl fierce, rock 'n' roll rad, Madonna fabulous, Carrie Bradshaw chic, or Clueless cute. (It is not a Halloween costume party, however, so please leave your Austin Powers-replica Mr. Bigglesworth doll at home.)

Then come ready to walk the red carpet, sip signature cocktails, belly up to a cosmetics bar, mug for a photo booth, and more. Without revealing too many panache party details, here are a few highlights we can tease:

Eats and drinks: Plaza restaurants will pass out tasty bites and noshes, while four different bars, "dressed" with each of the four style icons, will mix signature cocktails from each decade. Whether you're into Mad Men-era dirty martinis or fizzy '90s champagne cocktails, you won't go thirsty.

Benefit Cosmetics Bar: Try out makeup trends that correspond with the decades; for example, bold wings and mascara from the '60s or shimmery eye shadow and nude lips from the '90s.

Smilebooth Photos: At this cool photo booth, guests will take photos and animated GIFs with different filters for each decade and share them via social media or print out their photo strips as keepsakes.

The Truth Booth: Think you're chic? We'll tell you the truth in this fun interactive experience. Get ready to take your wardrobe to the next level.

Swoozies and Partners Card: Swoozies will set up a pop-up shop full of fun gifts, themed home decor, stationery, and more. They also will provide an incentive for anyone who purchases a Partners Card that evening. Proceeds from the reveal party will benefit The Family Place's Partners Card program.

Tootsies Iconic Fashions: The retail host for the evening will outfit four mannequins to represent one look from each decade.

Memorable music: DJ Blake Ward will spin the hottest tunes through the decades ... The Police, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, The Cure, Ace of Base, No Doubt, and yes, The Spice Girls will be part of the dance party.

The main event: It all culminates with our Stylemakers finalists' style challenge. They will create full looks with clothing and accessories pulled from retailers at The Plaza, our Stylemaker Awards partner. The looks will be evaluated by our panel of five fabulous judges: fashion designer Nardos Imam, reality TV personality and entrepreneur Catherine Lowe, philanthropist and executive Lynn McBee, celebrity stylist J. Bolin, and 2016 Stylemaker Awards readers' choice winner Chris Hite.

Party-goers will get the chance to mingle with the judges and finalists throughout the night. Read more about the finalists here. The readers' choice winner will be crowned at the party, along with the judges' choice for ultimate Stylemaker.

stylemakers

Thrifty shopping

Massive Goodwill store in Garland reopens as 2nd largest in the U.S.

Photo courtesy of Goodwill

The Goodwill in Garland is the largest in Texas.

A major expansion has made a Garland Goodwill store nearly the largest of its kind in the country. Goodwill Industries of Dallas officially reopened its "Broadway store," at 451 W. Interstate 30 #100, on April 30 after a major renovation. The new-and-improved store is twice its previous size.

According to a release, at 31,000 square feet, the Broadway Store and Donation Center is now the largest Goodwill in Texas and the second largest in the U.S.

The expansion will significantly boost inventory turnover. According to the organization, the store will introduce about 10,000 new items daily, including clothing, home goods, and accessories. At that pace, inventory cycles through the store roughly every four weeks, they say.

“Our newly expanded Garland store sets the gold standard for Goodwill in Texas — not only as our largest location, but as our most operationally complex,” says Tim Heis, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Dallas, in the release. “Turning out 10,000 fresh items every single day requires a tremendous, coordinated effort behind the scenes to make sure our shelves are always stocked with new finds."

The reopening comes amid "explosive growth" in the resale sector, Goodwill says. A 2024 report from ThredUp found that the U.S. secondhand market grew 11 percent in 2023 (growing seven times faster than the broader retail clothing sector) and is projected to reach $73 billion by 2028.

“As consumers are increasingly turning to resale for its affordability, unique product variety, and positive environmental impact, the new Garland store redefines what’s possible — every visit promises one of the widest, most frequently refreshed selections anywhere in North Texas,” says Joel Ibanez, vice president, Donated Goods Retail.

To support its larger retail footprint and meet demand, Goodwill Dallas has also expanded its donation network, they say, opening new Donation Express locations in Frisco, Plano, and Lantana in recent months and bringing the total number of donation drop off locations in North Texas to 52.

The Garland store includes a drive-up donation center, and additional sites are in development across North Texas, they say.

"Over the past two years, Goodwill Dallas has experienced record-breaking performance, earning recognition as the top performing Goodwill in the country for two consecutive years," they say in the release.

broadway store garland thrift store goodwill industries home goods shopping