Designer Interview

Zac Posen dishes on Dallas women and why a little drama goes a long way

On November 15, Zac Posen will be honored with the Career Achievement in Fashion award at the Fashion Group International of Dallas’ A Night of Stars gala. Although Posen was born and raised in New York, he can still appreciate all that Dallas has to offer and the women who have supported his journey in becoming one of the most sought-after designers in the fashion world today.

Ahead of the gala, we chatted with Posen about the city he calls one of his “homes away from home,” how he views Dallas women and just what this special night in the spotlight means to him.

CultureMap: Let’s talk about Dallas. Do you come here often?

Zac Posen: I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to Dallas many times in my career. I’ve always loved the Texan culture, and I’m very excited to bring the warmth and excitement of my brand to Dallas. I’ve always considered Dallas one of my fashion homes away from home. We have a very wide customer base there, so it’s meant that I’ve been able to spend a lot of time getting to know the people and immersing myself in the culture.

CM: How would you describe the style of Dallas women as a whole?

ZP: Dallas women are truly fabulous, and their sense of style reflects that. They consistently look confident and sophisticated in their day and eveningwear, and they’re never afraid to add an element of glamour to an outfit.

CM: What are some signature traits in your designs, and would you say those align with your personality traits as a designer? Where does your inspiration come from?

ZP: That’s a great question. Definitely a sense of drama applies to both my designs and my personality. It’s been something that has been infused in my collections from the very beginning. I think there are also strong synergies with glamour, precision and sophistication. All of these traits are consistently carried through both the Zac Posen and the ZAC Zac Posen collections.

My inspiration can come from anyone or anything. I am always absorbing what is around me and using it to guide everything from color to fabric to silhouette. I try to always keep my mind open and have a sort of cultural receive dish that I can pull inspiration from.

CM: What is the best piece of career advice you have ever been given?

ZP: I was told by a dear friend to never stop creating. You need to be sewing and making your own clothing to truly understand what works and how your customer is going to react to it. It’s a sound piece of advice that I have carried with me through the years.

Some additional great advice that I received in my early years was to focus and solidify my goals. There are so many different facets to fashion, so it’s important to clearly define what it is that you want and put some timeframes around them. It will help you to keep moving forward with the important milestones in your career.

CM: What does it mean for you to be honored by FGI for a career achievement award?

ZP: I am truly thrilled to be receiving the career achievement award in Dallas. FGI is a wonderful organization that has provided so much support to those in the fashion industry over the years. I’m humbled that FGI is honoring me in this way, and I’m excited to be able celebrate with all the people in Dallas that have been so supportive along the way.

Zac Posen will be honored with the Career Achievement in Fashion award at the Fashion Group International Night of Stars gala on November 15.

Courtesy photo

Zac Posen will be honored with the Career Achievement in Fashion award at the Fashion Group International Night of Stars gala on November 15.

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Costume News

Jane Austen film fashions take spotlight at Dallas-Fort Worth museum

Courtesy photo

Emma

A new exhibit at the Arlington Museum of Art will celebrate the 250th birthday of beloved author Jane Austen with a distinctly Hollywood touch. Called Dressed for the Drawing Room: Fashion in Jane Austen’s World, the exhibit will showcase costumes and jewelry from film adaptations of two of Austen's most iconic works: Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Emma (2020).

The exhibit, which will run from January 9 to March 22, 2026, will be presented in partnership with Jane Austen Society of North America - North Texas Chapter, a nonprofit dedicated to the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing, with costumes loaned from NBCUniversal Archives & Collection.

By bringing costumes and accessories from two important films in the Austen world, the exhibition hopes to immerse visitors in the elegant and often politically charged world of fashion during the Regency era.

“Literature, film, and costuming are all important expressions of time, place, and identity,” says AMA Director of Exhibitions Kendall Quirk in a statement. “Jane Austen’s novels are full of observations of the time period she was living in. Using costume to portray these subtleties of the Regency era highlights how important details are. We hope visitors experience costumes from their favorite Austen films and gain a better understanding of what each costume signified for the characters.”

Pride and Prejudice costumes will be part of the exhibit. Courtesy photo

Written in 1813, Pride and Prejudice was about a tumultuous courtship between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, who initially dislike each other before falling in love. The 2005 film starred Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, and was praised for the chemistry between its two stars as well as its stunning visuals and modern feel. It earned its costumer designer Jacqueline Durran considerable attention for her work, including an Oscar nomination in 2006 for Best Achievement in Costume Design.

Set in 1800s England, Emma was about Emma Woodhouse, a well-meaning but selfish young woman who meddled as a matchmaker in her friends' love lives. The 2020 film version starred Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role, and earned costumer designer Alexandra Byrne an Oscar nomination in 2021 for Best Achievement in Costume Design.

The exhibition is free (and the museum does not charge admission). It is the latest in a series of similar Hollywood-themed shows hosted by the Arlington Museum of Art in recent years including Disney memorabilia, Wicked, and Game of Thrones.

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