Shop Talk
Where to shop in Dallas right now: 10 must-hit stores in December
What better way to secure that perfect gift under the tree — or finish your own holiday wish list — than to shop the racks at some of Dallas’ latest and greatest boutiques and pop-up shops? The fabulous finds inside these walls bring new meaning to the word “must-have.”
Number One/Le Jus
The delectable creation of Brian Bolke, co-founder Forty Five Ten andFive and Ten, and Dana Card, founder of Le Jus, the new shop in Highland Park Village embodies all things that constitute “a life well lived.” That includes a drink and food bar with organic, pressed juices; healthy bites; coffee; Bellocq teas; and other goodies that meet Card’s specific standards of organic nourishment.
Feeling calmer already? Then shop home decor items, jewelry and luxurious casual clothing from designers and collections such as Urban Zen by Donna Karan, Kristensen du Nord, Herff Christiansen, The Lady and the Sailor, a Number One signature collection, Diptyque candles and Heath Ceramics. Better yet, all fashion and jewelry collections are exclusive to Dallas. They don’t call it Number One for nothing.
Nicole Kwon
“There are lots of shopping options for women in Dallas, but not many for the girl who isn’t into glamour,” says fashion designer and new boutique owner Nicole Kwon. “If you want the young, hip, European style with bohemian and contemporary flair, it’s a bit more difficult to find at an accessible price point.”
At Kwon’s new self-named boutique in West Village, prices range from $30-$1,500. “There really is something for everyone and a wide range of budgets,” she says. “Think hipster in a very preppy classic way. I’m not a girl that wants precious.”
Soap Hope Pop-up
Soap Hope, the new holiday pop-up shop at the Shops at Park Lane, comes from founders Salah Boukadoum and Craig Tiritilli, who launched Soap Hope in 2009 to give consumers a way to help disadvantaged women fight poverty and rise above their tough economic situations.
“Just by shopping at Soap Hope, every customer becomes an instant philanthropist,” Boukadoum says. “Even just one bar of soap funds a woman’s business for two days. Our customers are already responsible for helping hundreds of women escape poverty.”
The shop was launched with an incredible group of volunteers and a $200 budget — which mirrors the financial constraints of the very women they help. Look for notable natural and environmentally friendly beauty and hair products and accessories.
AETHERstream Pop-up
The AETHERstream has traveled to NYC, LA, San Francisco and, now, Dallas, where it has parked at the Plaza at Preston Center. The vintage Airstream is packed with Aether's fall/winter 2012 collection of technologically advanced and stylish sportswear for men.
The shop-on-wheels offers an array of vests and jackets, snow pants and water-resistant canvas travel bag — so you can tackle the sporty guy on your gift list. The fully stocked mobile store is open for business through December 28.
WAREhaus
Patrick Ware has always had aspirations to own his own store. “After partnering with a friend and former customer, Tony Medley, we started putting this plan in action to create the store, but there was something missing,” Ware says. “That is when Erin McBriar, former co-worker and friend, joined our team, and WAREhaus was born.”
The new store inWest Village features several exclusive labels, including Percival, Wolf vs. Goat and Riviera Club, to name a few. “While Dallas women's boutiques dominate our city, we are hard-pressed to find the same for men,” Ware says. “We want to offer a small, personal, male-driven boutique that’s easy to access and you don’t have to drive around the mall to find.”
Office of Angela Scott
Angela Scott always knew she wanted to be a designer. “I have been designing shoes for 15 years in my head,” Scott says. “For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for footwear, but not until December 2010 did those designs come to life in the form of the first collection for the Office of Angela Scott.”
After working out of her home for nearly two years, Scott opened a boutique next door to V.O.D. in Victory Park. “I will have my two-year anniversary for the Office of Angela Scott this December and will start branching out into women's handbags and men's shoes,” Scott says. “Having a stand-alone boutique allows me to create a full lifestyle and environment that represents the Office of Angela Scott.”
L. Bartlett
L. Bartlett has made room for L. Bartlett Shoes, a shoe boutique and extension of the original shop in West Village founded in 2006. From towering high heels to stylish flats, the store’s newest footwear addition includes collections like Sam Edelman, Jessica Simpson, Boutique Nine, Dolce Vita, Pelle, Jeffery Campbell and Report Signature.
7 For All Mankind
The first 7 For All Mankind standalone boutique in Dallas-Fort Worth recently opened at NorthPark Center, offering a closet full of holiday styles for both men and women. Don’t think just denim; now shop silk shirts, button-downs, T-shirts, sweaters and more in the season’s most stylish cuts and colors.
For women: Don’t miss the skinny metallic printed jeans and sequin T-shirts, which are perfect for the array of holiday cocktail parties calling for a bit of shine. Men can’t go wrong with a denim jacket or cozy cable-knit sweater.
Q Custom Clothier and Rye 51
Q Custom Clothier moved to bigger digs in West Villageand added a sibling called Rye 51. Expect the same quality craftsmanship from Q, plus more casual sportswear from Rag & Bone, Todd Snyder, Steven Alan and laid-back custom threads at little brother Rye 51.
The two store concepts are connected by a gorgeously well-stocked zebra-wood bar, where customers may enjoy complimentary whiskey as they shop. The man-friendly concept also includes a pool table, televisions and ultra-luxe leather chairs for lounging.
Gemma Collection
Owner Adriane Sack saw a need, so she filled it. Her Gemma Collection in Snider Plaza boasts silver and gold baubles from collections that were previously difficult to find in Dallas.
Of the lines, 30 are American-made, and many of them are local. Shop for earrings, necklaces, bracelets (love the wide hot pink hologram stingray cuff) and bridal jewelry ranging in price from $45-$300. For the holidays, Sack suggests pairing the chunky, sparkling Gwen necklace with three-stone bangle.