Coronavirus News

Virgin Hotels Dallas celebrates Texas' reopening with flashy fashion exhibit

Check it out but don't get too close.

Photo courtesy of Virgin

Swanky Virgin Hotels Dallas is marking Texas' partial reopening with a showy fashion and art exhibit that will debut on May 29.

Called "Together Again: Reconnecting Through Fashion and Art," the installation is curated by fashion consultant Kristen Cole, former president and chief creative officer of Forty Five Ten, the Dallas-based boutique chain that was part of the empire of downtown Dallas kingpin and Joule Dallas hotel owner Tim Headington. Switching teams!

The exhibit comprises 12 mannequins styled in colorful, expressive pieces from notable fashion designers including:

2019 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Christopher John Rogers
young designer and Vogue favorite Marina Moscone
2019 CFDA womenswear designer of the year nominee Rosie Assoulin
CFDA Swarovski nominee and milliner Gigi Burris

Each mannequin is at least six feet apart, obvs. A release says that the installation, displayed in vignettes throughout various public spaces of the hotel, "celebrates coming back together through several thoughtful contemporary artworks aimed to cultivate conversation."

Along with the fancy mannequins, there'll be other new pieces of art, plus a collection of surreal fashion photographs by Manolo Campion throughout the ground-level restaurant, bar, and lounge Commons Club. Inside the Funny Library Coffee Shop, a commissioned bright graphic vinyl installation by Andrew Kuo that creatively encourages social distancing.

Other works include a large-scale multi-media sculpture by Katie Stout; a multi-media installation from Austin based Andy Coolquit; and neon and LED hanging sculpture from Texas-based Adela Andea.

Virgin Hotels VP Teddy Mayer says that their goal was to do something bold and "characteristically Virgin" to promote social distancing in the hotel. He likes Kristen "Texas' Queen of Cool" Cole, too.

"Instead of removing furniture or roping off areas, we thought bringing in stunning mannequins to supplement limited capacity requirements would be more upbeat and lively," Mayer says. "I'm thrilled that Kristen Cole took on this challenge as she brought it far beyond my expectations."

The installation will be on view throughout the summer, ready for you to view at a distance.

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Best of Texas

Beloved Texas city hailed top place to travel in 2025 by Travel + Leisure

Photo courtesy of San Antonio River Walk

The world is finding out there's a lot to love about San Antonio.

Texas travelers already know the many charms of San Antonio, and now the whole world is finding out, too. National magazine Travel + Leisure has declared San Antonio one of the best places to travel in 2025.

The publication's annual "Where to Go" list reviews nearly 120 notable places around the globe and chooses only 50 for its collection of best destinations. Winners are then categorized into one of seven categories: cultural immersion, nature lovers, big-city thrills, moments on the water, food and drinks, beach vibes, and adventurous travelers.

San Antonio was the only Texas city to be recognized in the 2025 list. Dallas neighbor Fort Worth earned this unique recognition in the 2024 report.

"These are places that feel 'of the moment,' whether that’s because they offer unparalleled access to the outdoors, a cultural immersion you can’t find anywhere else, a pulse-quickening hit of excitement, or the sort of blissful luxury only a true five-star property can deliver," Travel + Leisure editors wrote.

San Antonio was lauded as a must-visit destination "For the Food and Drinks" by T+L. The Alamo City was specifically praised for being "on the cutting edge of culinary innovation" in part thanks to the 13 outstanding local restaurants that were recognized in the first-ever Texas Michelin Guide, and the numerous James-Beard Award-nominated local chefs and eateries.

"Elsewhere, chef and restaurateur Jason Dady will be opening Mexico Ceaty in early 2025, overhauling a food court to create a dining destination that highlights Mexican cuisine," T+L said.

Mexico Ceaty in San Antonio Mexico Ceaty will bring several concepts to the Shops at Rivercenter. Rendering courtesy of SA Partnerships

The report also gives a shoutout to the increasingly popular dining complex Pullman Market, which opened earlier in 2024.

"Our market highlights the difference and value of truly fresh and truly local," said CEO Kevin Fink in the report. "Whether it’s whole fresh fish from the Gulf of Mexico, Berkshire pigs from down the road, or butter from a herd of cows whose milk tastes of the Texas landscape."

When it comes to finding a place to stay in San Antonio, there is no shortage of comfortable and lavish accommodations. T+L names two recently opened hotels in its report: Kimpton Santo, a boutique hotel that repurposed 19th century schoolhouses, and the fully renovated InterContinental San Antonio RiverWalk.

Earlier this year, San Antonio won national acclaim in the publication's annual "World's Best" reader's choice awards, and was named the No. 6 best U.S. city in 2024.

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