HI BARBIE

Sporty pink Barbie merch truck will cruise into Dallas and Plano

The Barbie Truck is rolling into DFW in late March.

Courtesy photo

Barbara Millicent Roberts is asking Dallas to think pink later this month. The popular Barbie Truck Tour will be rolling into two Dallas-area shopping centers the last two weekends of March:

March 21 —The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano
March 28 — The Shops at Park Lane, Dallas

Fans at both events will have the chance to buy an assortment of exclusive merch, according to a release.

The roadshow has a sporty theme inspired by the doll’s athletic accomplishments, which include an Olympic gold medal in skiing and record-setting NASCAR runs.

Barbie Truck Tour visitors can score the following limited-edition drops:

Apparel: T-shirts, track jackets, half-zip sweaters
Accessories: Necklaces, wristlets, baseball hats, bag charms, crossbody duffles
Drinkware: 24-ounce thermal bottles, 10.5-ounce glass mugs
Bags: Tote bags, duffle keychains, tote keychains

Barbie Truck Tour merchandise The sporty merch includes some adorable bag charms.Photo courtesy of Barbie Truck Tour

Sadly, no actual dolls will be available for purchase, nor will fans be able to add to Barbie’s legendary wardrobe. Still, the duffle keychain is small enough for her to carry an appropriately sized jai alai set.

For its first DFW appearance, the Barbie truck will be parked at The Shops at Willow Bend (at the lawn near The District), 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano from 10 am-7 pm March 21.

On its second North Texas stop, the truck will roll up to The Shops at Park Lane (near the lawn between Chipotle & Starbucks), 8080 Park Ln., from 10 am-7 pm March 28. Maybe Barbie will snag some new shelving for the dream house at the brand new IKEA store opening at the center.

Organizers say shoppers should arrive early to ensure the best selection. Also note that merchandise will be available for credit card purchase only.

Follow the Barbie Truck's trek into town and across the country on the official Instagram page.

shopping merch pop-ups barbie

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