Fort Worth Luxury Lifestyle Influencer Amy Sexton Hosts The Art of Collecting — An Evening of Rare Watches, Exotic Cars, Fine Art, Wine, and More

Taking in Fort Worth’s choicest luxury collectibles might normally require a daylong sprint between The Shops at Clearfork, Autobahn Fort Worth, and the city’s other purveyors of finely crafted indulgences. For The Art of Collecting, Amy Sexton had a more civilized idea: gather exotic cars, rare watches, designer handbags, fine wine, original art, and elevated cuisine under one red-tiled roof.

Throughout her Eagle Mountain Lake estate, Rolls-Royces and Mercedes-Maybachs, original works by Austin-based artist Ash Almonte, Hermès and Chanel handbags, coveted Rolexes from Jewels by Alicia, and bottles of 2018 Penfolds Grange were displayed like works of art, removed from everyday use and brought together to celebrate the art of collecting.

At the event, we met Alicia Zuckerman Stuard (@jewelsby.alicia), wife of professional golfer Brian Stuard, who grew up in her family’s jewelry business before carving out a niche as a private jewelry concierge to PGA Tour players and their wives. She brought several rare Rolex timepieces, including the coveted Panda Daytona. Nearby, guests were asked to slip on white gloves before handling Hermès Birkin collector handbags that can command tens of thousands of dollars.

Amy Sexton, who donned a bright chartreuse top with billowing sleeves, wide-leg white trousers with feathered detailing, and pink heels, greeted guests with a glass of Champagne in hand. In only a few years, she has emerged as a notable luxury lifestyle influencer, reaching a national audience through her podcast while attracting crowds — and luxury brands — to exclusive events in Fort Worth.

Building a Trusted Luxury Lifestyle Brand in Fort Worth

Four years ago, Amy Sexton began building a following through social media posts about her travels and life with her doting husband, Joe.

“People needed to see more love and positivity between husbands and wives,” she tells PaperCity. “I started getting a lot of positive feedback. Initially, I was guiding people on where to travel, stay, and dine. So I started a website and went down the journey of fashion and lifestyle influencing.”

The Art of Collecting grew from an unlikely friendship. Sexton and artist Ash Almonte first connected on Instagram, building enough trust from afar that Almonte eventually packed 12 pieces of art and took her family on a road trip to Sexton’s Laguna Beach home. Almonte became the first guest on Sexton’s podcast.

“Amy does everything so authentically that I felt like I already knew her,” Almonte says. “Her home is absolutely stunning. That led to the idea to work together on doing an event in Texas.”

An artist for more than 20 years, Almonte has shown her work through galleries from Los Angeles to New York and is particularly known for her distinctive chandelier paintings. More recently, the Texas artist has brought her work into the fashion world through collaborations with brands including Alice + Olivia and Kendra Scott, often painting clothing and accessories live for clients.

“When you’re investing in art at this level, it’s an important decision. You’re choosing something to put in your home, collect, and potentially invest in,” Almonte says. “Being able to connect with people on an intimate level in settings like this is so important. That’s why I love events like this.”

For Sexton, those personal connections are also central to growing her brand. Earning trust in the luxury space, she says, still comes down to relationships.

“I like to meet people and build a relationship,” she says. “I think that’s what builds trust.”

Fort Worth’s Growing Luxury Footprint

With only a few dozen personal invitations extended, The Art of Collecting was an exceedingly intimate affair. Sexton’s daughter, Kelley Hillman, was among the guests. A local NICU physician, Hillman says the 20-year age difference between her and her mother has allowed them to become “best friends” as adults. Sexton’s journey, which began as a young single mother, has been an inspiration to Hillman.

Amy Sexton sees a need for these types of curated events in a city that increasingly embraces luxury dining, fashion, shopping, and experiences.

“I’ve seen significant changes since Taylor Sheridan and his Paramount shows came to Fort Worth,” she says. “When I go to dinner, the fashion is totally different than it was just 10 years ago. I think people are taking more pride in what they’re wearing, driving, and drinking. There are more private clubs and upscale hospitality groups in Fort Worth.”

With her first curated luxury event now in the books, Sexton is becoming part of that growth. While lavish private gatherings have long been commonplace in Dallas, she hopes The Art of Collecting inspires more Fort Worth hosts to dream just as big. After an evening of rare Rolexes, Rolls-Royces, fine art, and fine wine, we couldn’t agree more.

PC Seen: Courtney Brooks, Sydney Fielding, Jill Johnston, Chris Perkins, Jeannete Jones, Catherine Pennington, Beth Hutson, Deborah Ferguson, Steve Lamb, Brittney Johnson, and Susan and Marc Semmelmann.