One of Austin’s Hottest Stores Opens in Houston With Style

Mesh inherent style with international business savvy honed at one of the world’s premier technology manufacturers, and the result is Wendi Koletar, proprietor of Austin-based women’s boutique Kick Pleat. Koletar opened the shop in 2003 — following a five-year stint with Dell — stocking a diverse collection of designers rarely seen on Austin’s retail scene.

Appearances from brands such as Acne Studios, Ryan Roche, MM6 Maison Margiela and more helped Kick Pleat swell into the city’s go-to outpost for timeless, transitional apparel (Kick Pleat Austin, 918 West 12th Street, is currently undergoing a massive expansion).

Now, after 13 years of stretching her foothold, Koletar launches her first store outside Austin at the intersection of Kirby Drive and Westheimer Road, where neighbors include gourmet sandwich shop Local Foods and hallowed cycling phenom SoulCycle. The new 2,565 square-foot digs, designed by Austin architect Michael Hsu, showcase a design roster plucked from New York and Paris markets — 90 percent of the designers are Kick Pleat exclusives.

“Many loyal Houston-based customers have been visiting us throughout the years, and when this prime retail space became available, it was too good to pass up. The new store will be very similar to our Austin base, and will also carry brands unique to the Houston location,” Koletar says.

Brace yourself for racks lined with rising and established designers including Apiece Apart, Caron Callahan, Common Projects, Creatures of Comfort, Issey Miyake, Jil Sander, Lemaire, Nehara, Mr.Larkin (created by Houston native Casey Larkin Blond), Rachel Comey, Rodebjer and Samuji.