The Galleria’s Posh New Balmain Store Draws a Doubleheader Fashion Crowd — a Houston Opening Like No Other
A Major Move Means a Massive Party
BY Shelby Hodge //
Kristin Ingram, Iradia Brown, Paige Sloniker at the opening of the Balmain boutique in The Galleria, Houston (Photo by Johnny Than)
It was an evening in two acts when Balmain opened its posh new Houston nest in the Galleria with a champagne-infused store party followed by a trés chic dinner soirée at The Marigold Club in Montrose. Many in the flock were dressed head-to-toe in designs from the French maison‘s creative director Olivier Rousteing making for a delicious fashion-forward tableau.
Not long after the festivities, Rousteing and Balmain mutually agreed to part ways with Balmain noting that a new creative organization will be revealed at a later date.
Welcoming the throng, most of whom are serious Balmain devotees, were Texas manager Morgan Williams in from Balmain’s Highland Park Village perch in Dallas and in from Los Angeles Paige Sloniker, Balmain client relations and events manager. Both, of course, styling the best of the French heritage brand.
Everyone entered the 2,100-square-foot boutique on The Galleria‘s second floor to find Balmain’s new store featuring a serene color palette of cream, silver and gray and delicate features allowing the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories to make the bold design statement. Throughout the fashions exuded the luxury that Balmain is known for with the meticulous craftsmanship of its opulent designs as well as its modern, celebrity-driven aesthetic.
“Our decision to relocate our flagship Houston boutique to The Galleria (from River Oaks District) naturally follows the steps of a new chapter for Balmain, enhancing the in-store experience while staying true to the brand’s unique attitude,” Emily George, president of The Americas at Balmain, told Chain Store Age retail magazine.
The boutique throng included: Franklin Costales, Kerry Wald, Iradia Brown, Anjali Sharma, Blanca Arbour, Kristin Ingram, Bissan Mounir, Chernele Lloyd, Courtney Okanlomo, Cherris Barret, Anitra Payne, Julie Koziol, Parrisa Mohajer, Astrid Van Dyke, and Mahzad Mohajer.
SHOP
Among those dining at The Marigold Club: Brittany Sakowitz Kushner, Lexi Sakowitz Marek, Zinat Ahmed, Stacey Lindseth, Sneha Merchant, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Donae Chramosta, Kara Przbyl McIver, and Monica Bailey Bickers.
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