act casual

Japanese casualwear brand Uniqlo pins down opening date in Dallas

Uniqlo's front facade at Seattle's Pine Street location.

Uniqlo is coming to DFW.

Courtesy of Uniqlo

Japanese casual-clothing retailer Uniqlo has pined down the big date for its Dallas-Fort Worth debut.

Since making its U.S. debut in 2005, Uniqlo has become known for its simple, high-quality clothing, inspired by Japanese values of simplicity, quality, and longevity.

The company will open five stores in Texas total, with three in DFW as follows:

October 18: Galleria Dallas
October 25: The Parks Mall in Arlington, Stonebriar Centre in Frisco

Uniqlo sells selection of men's, women's, and children's clothing that strike a balance between hip style and comfort, offered at affordable prices. It emphasizes thoughtful design and constant innovation. Dallas shoppers should be excited to add its pants, sweaters, dresses, jackets, and t-shirts to their wardrobes.

The company was founded in 1984 in Hiroshima, Japan. Founder Tadashi Yanai took over his father’s suiting store and transformed it into the unisex, casualwear line it is today. They now have more than 2,400 locations globally. Their first U.S. store opened in New Jersey.

To celebrate the grand openings, shoppers can expect a host of specials and events, exclusive promotions, giveaways, and customer experiences. Each store also plans to engage with the local community through partnerships with nonprofit organizations as part of its Re.Uniqlo circularity program, which emphasizes sustainability and giving back. In Houston, Uniqlo is partnering with Jonathan’s Place, a local nonprofit.

The Dallas openings join Uniqlo stores slated to open in Houston including Memorial City Mall on October 11, and First Colony Mall on October 18.

“Uniqlo is excited to open five new stores across Texas, an expansion that highlights our dedication to bringing our high-quality, innovative LifeWear and exceptional retail experience to customers all throughout the Lone Star State,” said Yoshihide Shindo, CEO of Uniqlo USA. “We can’t wait to connect with our new Texan neighbors and become a valuable part of their daily lives.”

The Texas openings are part of an ongoing brand expansion, spurred by the company's growth during the 2023 fiscal year. More than 20 new locations are planned for 2024; approximately half of those stores are already open.

Window of Uniqlo's Topenga Mall location in California, showing mannequins in puffer jackets and hats.

Courtesy of Uniqlo

The two Houston Uniqlo stores are part of a broader expansion for the brand.

shopping sustainability uniqlo

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