The Vintage Salon Where Celebrities Like Millie Bobby Brown and Emma Roberts Sourced Their Wedding Looks is Coming to Dallas

Bury me in designer vintage!

On my Instagram, I sporadically host a series called “White Whale.” Borrowing, of course, from Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, I function as Captain Ahab at the helm of these White Whale expeditions that allow people to search for an article of clothing or accessory that has evaded them for years. Even with little hope of ever finding the item, the search continues. This time, though, it’s buoyed by a social media community of shoppers. By showcasing others’ elusive White Whales, people connect and help source them for one another. Allow me to share my most well-known White Whale success story.

One of my childhood friends, Amy Havins, searched for years for the hot pink Oscar de la Renta dress that Aleksandr Petrovsky gifts Carrie Bradshaw to wear to the New York City ballet in season six of Sex and the City. As a core piece of sartorial lore worn by the protagonist on arguably the most famous television show in history for its fashion, it’s, umm, kind of hard to find. A true White Whale.

Through a lead from an Instagram follower, I found the dress at a vintage salon in Los Angeles called Happy Isles. I put the dress (in her size!) on hold and texted Amy’s husband, explaining that I found the perfect Christmas gift. Per my recommendation, he purchased it in secret and surprised her with it, alongside McDonald’s French fries (IYKYK). Five years later, she still says it’s her favorite dress in her already-epic closet.

Anyone who loves designer vintage knows Happy Isles, which Lily Kaizer founded. The brand operates two jewel boxes in Los Angeles and New York City that feel like time traveling to a glamorous salon in 1961 for a private appointment and fitting. Happy Isles curates hard-to-find designer vintage pieces. Known for their vintage bridal, Happy Isles sourced wedding looks for everyone from Emma Roberts, who wore 2006 Pierre Cardin for her wedding welcome party, to Millie Bobby Brown, who chose 1993 Valentino from Happy Isles for her Italian wedding to Jake Bongiovi.

Happy Isles just announced that, this fall, it will open its third boutique in the Knox Henderson area of Dallas. Vintage lovers rejoice! We immediately reached out to Kaizer, who gave PaperCity the exclusive skinny on her new salon.

Talking Shop with Lily Kaizer

The first and most important question — Why Dallas?! 

I fell in love with Dallas in 2017 when I visited for a small Happy Isles Trunk Show. I loved the open, generous, glam, frisky, and authentic energy in the city. I remember walking into Grange Hall and just thinking, “Wow! People in this town are doing beauty on their own terms.” Also, margaritas at Javier’s didn’t disappoint, and I do love queso.

Then, when we started regularly visiting again for pop-ups last year, the same feelings came back but bigger. I just love Dallas. There’s a warm, easy feeling I have when I’m in town. I’m obsessed with the people. It was the only place I’d want to have a third location. 

Please tell us about how Texans (and Dallasites in particular) have been supporters of Happy Isles since the beginning!

Truly, some of my favorite clients over the years have been Texans! There’s just something different about the way y’all shop — with more joie de vivre. I’m always inspired by the bold choices our Texas gals make, and for our longstanding Dallasite VIPs, I’m just so excited to finally hang out more and have a cocktail. 

Will the salon feature exclusively bridal or your classic mix of designer vintage? 

Our Dallas salon will feature the same mix as our LA & NY locations. We lean bridal, but we’ll also have a heavy rotation of colorful party pieces and collectible designer pieces. Expect 1930s through the early 2010s! 

What did you learn from doing previous pop-up appointments in Dallas? 

That we needed to be here permanently! 

How did you narrow down where you wanted your Dallas brick-and-mortar to be?

I’ve always loved the Knox Henderson area of Dallas, and with all the new shops and spots coming in, it of course felt like the right place to be. 

Can you share any details about the space itself? 

We will be upstairs at Bardot Place, next door to Duxiana. The space is currently undergoing renovation, and when it’s done, it will have one of the best views on the block. 

Any design details or tidbits you can share about the Dallas salon?

The space is about 1,600 square feet, and it will have similar vibes to our other locations. Yes, we’ll have another gorgeous couch! We’ll likely soft-open the space in late fall as we work on our build-out. We want to service our brides as soon as possible, even if the space is still a work-in-progress! 2026 appointments will feel like we’re popping up, but just in our own permanent space. It should be cute!

What is the timeline for when the store will open? Do you have any fun plans for events or activations coinciding with the opening? 

We’re figuring it all out now, but we’re hoping to open the space for appointments in late November! We certainly see some holiday events in our future… 

As far as fashion trends, what are Texans gravitating towards right now? Are you sourcing things specifically for the Dallas store? 

Definitely! In my experience, Texans are not afraid of a look. I’m so excited to stock major glam items in addition to all the goodies every HI gal knows and loves.