Francine Ballard’s The Kno Draws Houston’s Most Fashionable Crowd For a Fun Fashion Throwdown
A Village Of Friends, the Original Dance Fests DJ and Armandos' Beloved Taco Truck Keep It Roaring
By Shelby Hodge //
Photography Priscilla Dickson
Ah the wave of Pretty People that swanned into The Kno for the invitation-only grand opening of Francine Ballard‘s flagship boutique featuring her fashion brand for savvy femmes. The party, planned by Lauren Gray of Gray Door, was intended merely to be a classy intro to the brick-and-mortar for the brand that launched online several years ago. It turned out to be a shopping extravaganza with the quiet luxury separates becoming must-haves for the fashionable clutch.
“It was less of a stuffy retail event and more of a throwdown,” Ballard, PaperCity style editor-at-large, says. “All of my favorite people in the same space for one night. It was glorious.”
Tucked behind The Hair Shop at 3641 Westheimer, The Kno offers a wardrobe system of interchangeable essentials that effortlessly transition between work, travel and leisure. Made in the United States, the collection features soft knits and lightly structured stretch so comfy, cozy and yet sophisticated that the brand has a loyal following.
It was a village of friends that orchestrated the posh evening beginning with Gray and including Walker Wright, who not only worked with Ballard on the shop design, but also created florals and decor for the evening. Familiar to this stylish crowd was local fave Reginald Addo Ankra and his Service With Style crew, who kept the clutch well watered.
DJ Jason Farr, the original DJ for Armandos’ Thursday night dance fests, spun the vinyls that inspired later-on dancing in the middle of the shop after furniture was moved to make room for the revelers.
Just outside The Kno entry was Armandos’ beloved taco truck, a Ballard favorite, dishing out its famed street-style tacos, quesadillas, loaded nachos and all those yummy sides.
SHOP
“We’ve been building this for three years, but it feels like the brand is really starting to take off,” Ballard says. “I wanted to mark this moment and remember it. I’m so grateful for the incredible clientele we’ve built here and across the country.
“We hope to call Houston home for a long time.”
PC Seen: Tiffany Masterson, Mary Elizabeth Hahnfeld, Lindsay Holstead, Laura Greenberg, Tena Faust, Jamie Sparacino, Lisa Oren, Brooke Robertson, Courtney Hill Fertitta, Emily Gray, Anne Carl, Elise Reckling, Nicole Zarr, and newlyweds Elizabeth Petersen-Buais and Grégoire Buais.
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