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Refinery 29 and Simon Present: The Shopping Block

Oct 23 2014

The Houston Preminum Outlets were once again the setting for another great and uber-fashionable event, The Shopping Block- hosted by fashion and retail powerhouses Refinery 29 and Simon. The event was put on as an effort between R29 and Simon to collaborate and commend the small culture and take back the mall, as well as the outlets. Refinery 29’s Athena Chen mentioned that, “[Simon] provided a lot of liberties to celebrate the ‘millennial culture’ of shopping and bringing them back in this environment by bringing in curated local vendors and designers to be apart of this experience.”

Houston was stop five of the seven city mall tour. The tour started in NYC, then went to Philadelphia, followed by Boston, Miami, HOUSTON, then Los Angeles and finally back in NYC. The event design was inspired by modernist artists Donald Judd and Dan Flavin, as well as Marfa, TX and its art and architecture- especially cubism. “This experience is supposed to be interactive and allowing us to celebrate something that’s very in the moment in a very spiritual and tangible way… It’s a way to bring in a crowd to engage with consumers in a new way for Simon and to interact with new consumers that they may not have reached in the past…” Athena explained.

Houston’s event was held under a large tent, where each of the vendors and interactive stations were set up like an intimate mini shopping mall within the mall. Lovely ladies in a matching gray tee, white pleated lacy skirt paired with cute tennis shoes and socks acted as the ‘Style Concierge,’ helping with questions and handing out curated style guides. Each event has guest hosts and for the Houston edition- siblings Hanna, Sophia and Joshua Anderson were chosen to host the event. The interactive stations included beauty bars by Designer Fragrances and Cosmetic Company and Elizabeth Arden and a DIY station where guests could personalize a tote bag, taking inspiration from two Fall 2014 runway trends- sporty and embellished. The booth featured a moodboard of each trend, an example of that tote and crafting materials. The local indie boutiques included: Height of Vintage (vintage clothing), Hatton Henry (handmade leather bags and accessories), Sun Child (online boutique based in Texas), Vida Antigua (“Vintage Life” offers vintage clothing), fLuxe Jewelry (handmade jewelry from copper sheet metal and patina chemicals, inspired by Art Deco, Aztec pottery and modern geographic design), Sal Miel (handmade unisex jewelry of created from mixed metals and textures) , Busy-Being + Solid Gold (a brick-n-mortar based in Austin that carries art and product from local artists and friends) and Settlement Goods (boutique in Houston that carries emerging and independent designers who manufacture in the USA).

It was a fun afternoon to get crafty, take photos in the selfie booth, catch up with friends, shop and try for a chance to win a shopping spree valued at $1,500 at a Simon mall.

Huge thanks to the vendors, Simon, DPWPR & Refinery 29 gals (especially Athena) for a lovely day!

Last Call Neiman Marcus Blogger Event at Katy Mills

Sep 17 2012

Huge thanks to the folks at Bitner-Goodman for the invitation to the blogger event at the Last Call by Neiman Marcus at Katy Mills, outside of Houston. Myself, along with maybe twenty of Houston’s most stylish bloggers gathered for an intimate preview of what’s trending for Fall. We were also treated to a light breakfast, goodie bags (including a $25 gift card to Simon malls), participated in a giveaway (and I was the lucky winner of a $100 gift card to Last Call) and tour of Katy Mills ‘Fashion District.’ We listened, took notes and pictures as the store manager-Phillip Wilson explained each of the thirteen trends and showed us some key pieces that went along with each trend: Color-Like a Box of Crayons, Singing the Blues, Green with Envy, Colorful Fancy Pants, Leather Leather Everywhere, Fur-Ever and Ever, Chunky Monkey, Horse Play and Jackets Required. He also explained that Fall’s ‘must-have’ accessories are: Big Statement Handbags, Tote Bags, Riding Boots, Pumps, Ballet Slippers, Jewel Tone-Colored Jewels, Dramatic Dangling Earrings and Brooches.

~Color-Like a Box of Crayons~

**Photo from LastCall.com**

Cashmere sweater basics from the Neiman Marcus Collection ranging in a variety of colors and styles were showcased. Prices range from $135-139.

~Singing the Blues~

Brands used include: Blue Tweed Dress ($129) & Black Ruched-Sleeved Jacket ($99) from MICHAEL Michael Kors, Blue Trench Coat ($175) from Marc New York, Charcoal/Black Leopard Print Top ($99) from BCBG Max Azria and Black Knit Legging ($59) from Romeo & Juliet.

~Green with Envy~

Brands used include: Army Green Drawstring Dress ($165) by Single, Givenchy Tarot Card Print Scarf ($225), Kelly Green Bell Sleeve Sheer Blouse ($49) by Romeo & Juliet, Black Oversized Tank Top ($39) by James Perse, Black Stretch Knit Skinny Pant ($69) by MICHAEL Michael Kors.

~Colorful Fancy Pants~

Brands used include: ‘Tyler’ Cigarette Jean ($89) by MEK Denim, Giraffe Print Skinny Jean ($119) by Rich & Skinny, Relaxed Fit Color Jean ($75) by JAG Jeans.

~Leather Leather Everywhere!~

By the way, I learned a new rule during this segment: It is now a faux pas to say “faux,” instead it is best to say-“Eco-leather.”

Brands used include: Black Leather and Knit Sheath Dress ($119) and Ivory Cashmere Turtleneck ($70) by the Neiman Marcus Collection, Olive Leather Motorcycle Jacket ($415) by Marc New York, Olive Heather Long-Sleeve Top ($69) by Vince, “Eco-Leather” Legging ($49) by Romeo & Juliet.

~Fur-Ever and Ever~

Another interesting fact I learned is that Houston is one of the biggest cities that has the highest fur sales.

Brands used include: “Eco-Fur” Vest ($149) by Neiman Marcus, Long-Sleeve Tee ($59) and Black Knit Pant ($99) from ISDA and Co., Royal Purple “Eco-Fur” Crop Jacket ($99) by Romeo & Juliet, Black Stretch Knit Pant ($119) by French Connection, Maroon Fur Vest ($1,380) and Fur Poncho ($1,680) by Leonard Gorski.

~Chunky Monkey~

Brands used include: Fawn Colored Cable-Knit Sweater ($69) and Missoni-Inspired Cardigan ($99) by Design History, Black Knit Legging ($59) by Romeo & Juliet, Camel-Colored ‘Fisherman’s’ Sweater ($119) by Design History, Shawl Collar Handkerchief Hem Cardigan ($95) by Neiman Marcus, Flared Leg Dark Denim ($139) by Hudson Jeans.

~Horse Play~

Brands used include: Quilted and ‘Branded’ Flat Soled Boot in Nigeria ($449) by Stuart Weitzman, Oakland Tmorro Boot with All-Weather Sole ($399) by Alberto Fermani.

~Jackets Required~

Brands used include: Black/White Geometric Print Trench ($269) and Black Stretch Dress ($199) by Diane von Furstenburg, Black Knit Bat-Wing Jacket ($99) and Black/Blue Sleeveless Knit Dress ($79) by Shelli Segal.

And photos from the rest of the event….

Including a group shot courtesy of Live Life in Style!

Huge thanks again to Bitner-Goodman PR, Phillip Wilson and the folks at Last Call Neiman Marcus at Katy Mills for the wonderful event! For more information on Last Call by Neiman Marcus services, including: special events, trunk shows, Last Call Rewards and great associates/stylists who will email/text or call you… go to LastCall.com.

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