Flea Market with Serious Style Returns to Dallas and Houston with Supersized Ambitions: Chic Fashions and Locally-Made Treasures Ensure You’ll Find Something Truly Unique

We’ve all been there at least once. You buy something you love, wear it, own it, flaunt it – only to realize you’re not the only one who’s acquired said object. Maybe it’s that cute off-the-shoulder dress or the season’s it bag. Those covetable items that become a whole lot less covetable when you start seeing them everywhere.

Luckily, there’s an antidote to this mass-produced mayhem. Flea Style’s Fall Show is a one day only shopping event with a selection that you seriously won’t find anywhere else. The curated market features only handmade, vintage, and one-of-a-kind items from independent brands and makers.

Flea Style’s popular bi-annual event will return to Dallas this Saturday, October 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The year’s pop-up is bigger than ever, with 220 vendors bringing a selection of fashion, home, paper goods, accessories and more to Dallas Market Center.

The Fall Show also will bring 120 vendors to Houston on Saturday, November 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Silver Street Studios.

“We think the magic is in having it in a one day event where people get really excited and then it kind of goes away – so you have to hit these people then or you won’t be able to shop them again,” says founder Brittany Cobb.

The market brings makers from across the U.S. and beyond, but the focus is on locally-made goods. Flea Style also brings in about 50 percent new vendors each season, along with returning favorites.

“There’s a huge, heavy Texas influence and the bulk [of vendors] are from the city we’re in, but now they really are coming from all areas of the country, which is really exciting. So it’s truly something you could never shop in Dallas,” Cobb says.

The Best Flea Style Finds

Keep an eye out for a maze of whimsical handmade teepees from Dolly Estelle; chic leather slides, sourced from Morocco by Dallas-based duo Modern Soul; and a truckload of adorable vintage from Longview-based Hazie Sue (seriously – look for the mint-hued mail truck, it’s full of cute clothes).

In addition to shopping, the Flea Style Fall Show offers fun activities and entertainment. There will be mimosas, snacks, live music, a paper flower crown making station and more.

Local artist Alli Koch of Alli K Design is creating an entrance mural for the show, and will be there selling and signing her new book.

The decor will revolve around a storytelling theme.

“So we’re taking vintage books and doing displays with old black and white pages, and we’ve been filming the vendors for months and months and telling their stories, and we’re doing a screening during the Dallas show, where people can learn about the makers and learn more about these people they’re shopping from, and why it’s so important to shop small,” Cobb says.

This message is at the heart of Flea Style. In addition to the bi-annual markets in Dallas and Houston, Flea Style also hosts summits for small businesses, has a full ecommerce website, a private label and a weekly podcast. They’re also planning to open a brick-and-mortar location in Dallas. It’s all about building a creative hub for the shop small community.

“The cool thing about the event is unlike the mall you’re meeting the maker,” Cobb says. “Not only do you get really rad things, you’re supporting dreams and you’re supporting people around you and their lifestyle.”

This is especially crucial for the vendors at the Houston market, many of whom were affected by Hurricane Harvey. One Rockport-based maker lost everything in the disaster. Flea Style has been donating 100 percent of online ticket sales for the Houston show to the Red Cross, but shoppers can make an even bigger difference in supporting the victims.

“It’s such an important show to show up to,” Cobb urges.

Tickets are $5 for general admission and $40 for VIP. They are available for purchase online or at the door. Parking is free.