3/4/2010 - 5/6/2010
Roz

Who is Lisa Freede and where can she be found?!!!! Well, if you ask many of Houston's fashion flock about my talented friend Lisa, they may not know much about her, even though they have been purchasing her wares. However, if you were to ask many of today's hottest femme starlets such as Katy Perry(shown here w/Lisa), Rihanna, Mo'Nique, Paris, Demi, Reese to name a few, or many of the fashion editors of some of the hottest publications such as InStyle, People or O Magazine they will gush about all of the fab trinkets they have loved to adorn or feature by this fashion-savvy stylist to the stars! The New York Times named Lisa a "Designer to watch". Lisa, a native of Detroit, made her way to Houston, via Hollywood, making H-town her perm residence. Yes, this much too well-kept secret, spends much of her time residing right here with us, though frequent jaunts to L.A. for super-styling gigs for tv, films and music videos are still a big part of her life! Why Houston? She calls it a "calming and realistic environment" well suited for her and her family.  In Lisa's own words, "it's a lot more sane place for my kids than schlepping them all over the Hollywood scene." Randy Jackson, the American Idol judge is a big Lisa Freede fan and chum, and can be seen wearing one of her necklaces in the recent "We are the World 2" re-do video. She works daily with a small team out of her office/warehouse in Southwest Houston where everything here is hand-made.

Lisa, who launched her career in jewelry in 2004 at Fred Segal, with her signature, "Huggie" earrings, after beginning her design career in apparel, showcases many popular styles from a collection she calls "a special blend of simplicity, glam rock and classic couture." She consistently creates fun, quality but affordable fashion jewelry "that everyone could wear," says Freede.

So, if your interest is peeked, and you want to see more, you must click on to lisafreede.com, a newly revamped site, developed by Lisa and Houston business partner and gal pal, Debbie Greenbaum. There is so much to see, the choices are endless. A small collection of jewels can be found at Katia boutique, Events and the Houstonian, but for the big picture, a click to her site or an email to Debbie for an appointment is the best way to see the many, many dazzling choices by this super-talented, red carpet jewelry gal!

Check her out at lisafreede.com, contact Debbie Greenbaum at debgreenbaum@yahoo.com or meet them at their very own booth, as my special guests at the Bo's Place Girls Night Out at Warehouse Live on Thursday, March 25; www.bosplace.org for details.

P.S. I wore Lisa's gold leaf cuff yesterday(same bracelet, worn by Katy Perry in her music video.......my girls would be so proud of me?!) and took great pleasure in the many compliments I received and in being able to tell many of Houston's fashion peeps about this talented lady.

Chic Find......The LOW-down(we're talking price) on shopping for Western Boots

3/4/2010 - 5/6/2010
Roz

So, you're much more of a fashionista than you are a tru-blue cowboy/girl? You're going to the Rodeo for the concerts? You care enough to want to step up in the right look? You're just lazy and know that the hardest part of buying new boots is breaking them in? You're a vintage gal and everything old is new again, is a philosophy you live by? If any of these questions describe you and your approach to Rodeo dressing during this town's biggest event month or you are just looking for "the real thing" at a budget-friendly price, then Texas Junk should be a stop by on your personal flight pattern.
Long time proprietor and curator of all that is truly "Texas Junk", Bob Novotny, spends many of his waking hours combing the resale stores and not sure where else, doing all of the work for you. Texas Junk, who maintains a year round BOOT ROOM, expands his assortment many fold in anticipation of this time. The scene is not fancy. Wear your socks and prepare to stand up and try on your boots.........but if price is your goal, then these "other man's treasures" can be purchased for mostly well under $100. Hours of operation are not as extensive as his assortment. Bob opens his doors only on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and when I asked him if he was expanding his hours during Rodeo time his response was, "can't, need the time to be out shopping for more."
Details.....Texas Junk, 215 Welch, 77006, (713)524-6257, open Fri./Sat., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All hats are on...A conversation with fashion sensation, Philip Treacy

3/4/2010 - 5/6/2010
Roz

When Hat Designer Extraordinaire, Philip Treacy, made a special appearance at Neiman Marcus to kick off the Hermann Park Conservancy, Luncheon in the Park on March 9, all of the guests, myself included, were wowed by the fashion show of exquisite hats, true works of art, that adorned the gorgeous runway gals. Chanel, Valentino, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen are just a select few Haute Couture houses that Ireland born milliner, Philip Treacy, has designed for.

Treacy is no stranger to fashion risk takers such as Lady Gaga. The Fashion Diva has adorned various Philip Treacy creations, of late, to events such as the Grammy's and the MTV Music Awards.

We loved having the chance to sit and chat with Mr. Treacy after his recent Neiman Marcus appearance. Here are some highlights from the interview:

When and how did you realize that you wanted to design hats?
I instinctively began creating garments as a kid by creating outfits for my sisters' dolls out of whatever I could find. I just had it. Fashion is an instinct. Some people just have it and some don't. I'm good with my hands and creating hats just came naturally.

What made you interested in starting to design hats?
I started off by taking a hat apart and restructuring it and designing it the way I wanted it. It wasn't one of my best hats, but someone still liked it enough to buy it.

Where do you find your greatest inspiration?
The customer. I like to form my hats to fit the personality of the person wearing it. The mirror doesn't lie. I make hats for my customer that will make them look and feel beautiful!

Was there a big difference when working with Lady Gaga as compared to Sarah Jessica Parker?
No. It was the same. Two years ago, when I designed for Sarah Jessica Parker's Sex & The City London Premier, she was a big fashion risk taker and now compared to Lady Gaga, SJP is modest!

Here's a question that every woman wants to know. How do you prevent getting hat hair?
That's easy. You don't take off your hat. Why would you take it off? (spoken like a true hat artiste!)

Put some heart into your shopping

2/25/2010 - 3/26/2010
Roz

If Fashion is your thing, you must be marking off the days since the groundhog told us that winter was staying around but that Spring was sure to follow?! Well, it's almost here and just in time for you to start shopping for your Spring must-haves!
Could there be a better way to kick-off the season and give to a great cause while you're doing it? River Oaks Shopping Center is hosting a Fashion Show at the wonderfully original River Oaks Theatre on March 10 and 100% of the proceeds benefit American Heart Association.
The night promises to be easy fun........you can valet park (is there any other way?), sip on cocktails and lite bites from many of ROSC fine eateries and enjoy a preview of Spring's fashion! Many of the Center's chicest boutiques will be participating, such as 310 Rosemont, LaMode Lingerie & Swim, Rebecca & Drew, BB1, Twice New and Luke's Locker, to name a few........something for everyone! Coupons for %-off savings and goodie bags will be a plus, so that what you see can be what you get if you so desire.

Details......
*$30 per person in advance; $40 at the door
*Tickets can be purchased online at www.ahariveroaksfashionshow.org or call 713-610-5055
*Priority seating on all tickets purchased through
Wednesday, March 3,2010; open seating available for
tickets purchased after
*Reminder, 100% of ticket sales to AHA

Top It Off, Western Style

2/25/2010 - 4/24/2010
Roz

Looking for what the Chic-est Cowgirls will be wearing this Rodeo season? My good friend and all-things-rodeo expert, Linda Galayda, has clued me in from her very own sprawling Texas ranch. As Hats are all the fashion buzz this Spring season, it's no wonder that the big news is all about some extraordinary hats that have been created by Galayda friend and business partner, Michelle Crite. These ladies are accomplished horsewomen and know what really works when adding a stylish completion to your western outfit. Most styles are available at Pinto Ranch on Post Oak, by clicking on to their site, www.pintoranch.com or by calling Linda directly at (903) 478-3641. All designs are available in Felt or Palm Leaf straw. Yes, if you can't find that perfect style, material or color for you.......custom orders are accepted!
Here are some favorites......

Signature

This Palm leaf Gus Hat is available with either Brown or Black leather braid trim for brim and band. Available at Pinto Ranch website, www.pintoranch.com.

Bling

Silver bead design with leather and silver braid trim on rim and band.

Cowhide

Genuine cowhide on felt; other colors available by personal choice

Indian Beading

This fashion trend idea, Indian beading that can be found in jewelry, shoes and handbags has made it to the Palm leaf straw hat as brim and band trim.

Tooled Leather

Solid tooled leather brim, 4" or 5" brims; leather braid trim and stampede string; also available in black

Ostritch

One of the most popular, luxury leathers......ostritch or alligator; richest in brown

Chic Find.......A Bright Touch

2/11/2010
Roz

A Bright Touch....

So you're in a dark, sexy restaurant, Valentine's or any other night, and you want to take a look to ensure your crimson smooch is up to standard? Do you really want to make a trek to the ladies room for just a simple touch up?!!! The answer is, not unless you have to, and you no longer have to. Houston make-up artist, Tonya Riner has teamed up with her gal pal, make-up artist and Page Parkes alum, Leslie Munsell, to form Beauty for Real Cosmetics and have created SEE THE LIGHT Lip Gloss! This illuminating lip gloss' high tech packaging, complete with mirror and LED lighting, allows for your easy application on the go. BTW, this gloss, available in nine fashion hues, is made with plant-derived antioxidants such as green tea and grape seed extracts that provide you with regenerative and anti-aging capabilities.........and it's all so simple to use and only $22.
A plus from these ladies is also their Perfect Pencil that comes in just one shade.......YOURS! This liner is a true lip tone; it works with all nine gloss shades and every skin tone under the sun. You no longer have to worry about matching the pencil to the lip color.......hard to believe? I tried it, it works, especially for all the cute young things out there that would rather be dead than wear a LIP LINER......this shapes, plumps, defines, all with no color! $14, you must try it!
Available: www.beautyforreal.net, Marnie Rocks, 1415 South Voss R., or Chrysallis Spa, 2615 Southwest Fwy., #240.

Loving ways to show you care.......

2/9/2010 - 4/2/2010
Roz

Valentine is one of the few holidays where it can truly be said that it is about the thought and not necessarily, about the gift. Choices are made for the ones you love most with a true meaning attached, an expression of how much you care! So as you approach the final 10, sweet shopping days left before the Big Love Day, I wanted to share with each of you some unique ideas that I found while shopping around our town.
Here's my 10 for the next 10..........

A Bite of Love

Want a delicious sweet treat to show your LOVE to those special to you at every age? How about a delicious box of cookies from former pastry chef, Michael Savino's yummy all-butter handmade cookies. Busy Moms, you can even send some treats along with your kiddies to school. It's as easy as a quick click online to Michael's Cookie Jar, where you can order, have delivered to our home or office by courier or pick up at one of Michel's partnered locations.
www.michaelscookiejar.com

His and Her, Sexy Scent

More Than You Can Imagine, the exclusive designer resell shop, also has many home items in stock ever day. However, when proprietor, Vicki Rizzo, developed her own line of special soaps, she created a scent intended for the guy in your life, named, very simply, Sexy Soap, but has found that the gals like it too! For Valentine's, Vicki has packaged all of her "Sexy bath items" in a special gift for either gender. You can give the love of your life, a sexy bath soak, liquid and bar of soap, all for just $32.
Stop by MTYCI, 2817 Westheimer and check it out, you're sure to want to pick up one for your love and one for yourself!
www.mtyci.com

A Yummy Scent, Calorie Free

So, you've said to your love....."sorry, no candy for me this year, conflicts with my diet plan!" However, you aren't prepared to do without that chocolate fix entirely. Well, here's a yummy solution. Godiva Chocolatier has unveiled a new way to indulge in the sensorial decadence of its chocolates through its Godiva Home Fragrance Collection and they smell good enough to eat! This gift melts in your home, not in your mouth.......and it's calorie-free!
Available at Kuhl-Linscomb, 2424 West Alabama.
www.Kuhl-Linscomb.com

A Simple Token of Love

Love Tokens never go out of style for this holiday of affection and Give Simple is sharing their love with you by offering an array of unique, handmade jewels right here on your screen. Give Simple, our local e-tailer, offers you the opportunity to shop for your love online and if you are a quick thinker, and make a choice by this Tuesday, February 9, you can receive at your home free of shipping costs. Check out all of the choices, such as this featured Dogeared sterling and pearl necklace and more details on how to order at, www.givesimple.com

Sexy Bouquet

If you believe that a little lace can go a long way, then you must be one of the many lovers of Hanky Panky sexy lingerie. These lace undies, are a fave of ladies of all ages now that they have expanded their line beyond just the thong that made them famous. Hanky Panky in all of the Valentine hues, can be found at Raintree Boutique or if you are thinking grand, you may want to go to www.hankypanky.comto purchase one of their bouquets, yes, made of panties, as pictured here.
Raintree Boutique, 5161 San Felipe

Bottle Full of Love

If you're trying to be environmentally responsible this Valentine, but think that your love may not appreciate a bundle of Kale for her holiday bouquet, we have just the right way to show you care. Love Bottles, a line of recycled glass bottles, come in all sizes. They also provide you with a special pen that you can write your very own "message on the bottle" to the love of your life! Available at Houston's newest organic lifestyle boutique, One Green Street, 5160 Buffalo Speedway.
www.onegreenstreet.com

A Love(ly) Read

If you're a reader and looking for love through your next page-turner, you will be totally enthralled by ROSES, a multi-generational love story. Author, Leila Meacham is a 71 yr. old former school teacher from San Antonio whose story of a small East-Texas town's founding families is making quite a buzz in the literary world. Number 13 on last week's New York Times Bestseller List, Meacham's novel is already being compared with the classic "Gone With The Wind"! Available at a bientot, 3628 Westheimer, where you can also pick up handfuls of the newest RED accessories, in case your love likes to dress-up when she reads!!!?
www.shopabientot.com

Put a Little Love in your Home

If you know about Regina Dorsett and the glamorous holiday decorations she and her Twin Designs staff add to any home she touches, your images are most likely of Christmas. However, Regina can do her magic and transform your home for this other RED holiday just as well. If you are a DIY(Do It Yourself) decorator, stop by her store at 5005 Larkin in the Heights or check her out online www.twinschristmas.com, if you need some assistance. Always fun to put a little more RED in your life, I say!!!!

The Ultimate Love Story

We all know that there is no greater love story than Romeo & Juliet and as a special treat for Valentine Weekend, Dominic Walsh, in partnership with Mercury Baroque, has assembled a triumphant union of contemporary ballet, Baroque music, opera and theatre to bring you this classic story of Shakespeare's greatest lovers, in a way that you have never seen it performed before.
As a special to all ChicSheet readers, when purchasing tickets, enter the word CORP for the corporate rate discounted tickets! For details, click on www.dwdt.org

Sensuous Dining

If treating your Valentine to a luscious, sexy meal is your choice, then you're living in the right town! In a city of so many culinary choices, it's impossible to pick just one. However, some of my dining experts say that high on the list of romantic Valentine destinations has to be Scott Tycer's newest Heights area restaurant, Textile, who is offering a special 7-course menu for the special night. This Houston restaurant wasrecently featured in the New York Times, calling it "an impeccably styled, serene place to eat." For more details, including reservations, click on
www.textilerestaurant.com.

Eco-Chic Find......Haven Restaurant....

1/28/2010
Roz

Haven......an all-GREEN experience

There's been lots of conversation, as to just what former Brennan's chef, Randy Evans was up to and I for one was anxiously awaiting the outcome. It was not until chatting with Randy at a recent AHA Heart Ball event that I finally got the scoop from the man himself that his new restaurant venture, HAVEN, was open for business. Where have I been, you ask? It did open on December 15, it's almost February and how have I not made it there yet? I don't know, December and the holidays are still a blur in my mind and January, which has flown, is about the same. However, I made it there with a group of friends last week and knew immediately that it was worth the wait. I liked everything about this restaurant, tucked away on this tiny little street off Kirby. First, the place itself, built by Collaborative Projects, a Houston firm that specializes in "green architecture", has a clean, sophistication in the decor of its indoor/outdoor space. The menu, from it's "seasonal kitchen" is called that because all of the ingredients are from local farmers within a 100 mi. radius......so if the menu item calls for an herb, not grown here at the moment, it is replaced by a dish that is.
Randy's menu items that he calls "Modern Texas Cuisine," were taken from some of his favorite foods that he has altered with an upscale flair. A great example and a fave at our table was the Shrimp Corndogs, served with a side splash of lemonade, reminiscent of Randy's two childhood favorites.

Haven Restaurant.....a seasonal kitchen!
2502 Algerian Way
Houston, Texas 77098
(713) 581-6101
www.havenhouston.com

Eco-Chic Find........One Green Street

1/28/2010 - 3/15/2010
Roz

Ready to shop GREEN? One Green Street is open for you....

Proprietor, Sherry Eichberger had a dream, literally, of a healthier, happy world and from that dream founded One Green Street, an organic lifestyle destination for all. This is not just a store but the cornerstone of a concept that was created to educate all of us about living eco-friendly lives. Every aspect of the store has been designed and constructed from sustainable products.
It starts, as all great retail environments should, with carefully selected products from socially responsible vendors that were hand-picked by Sherry and her hubby, Dave. This unique selection includes must have items in beauty, fashion and home accessories, all designed to give the consumer choices that are chocked full of fashion, enhanced by their eco-minded message. The end result was lots to look at, understand and purchase, which made my entire shopping experience there such fun! It's great to see how sustainable products are evolving. You will no longer be forced to make the choice of buying fashion or green?! One Green Street's selection proves that you can have both!

Some of the options are....
* W3LL People cosmetics....all natural luxury, mineral-based, toxin-free beauty collection; wow, it's got to make you glow!
* Beer Soap Co.......made from, you guessed it, some of your favorite spirits; one of my faves was "Black Pepper and Lime" from Corona, also, Red Dawn from Samuel Adams and of course, I've always been a Heineken girl and loved "Pale Lager".......and no, the fragrance is a fresh scent, you need not worry that you will be smelling like your last night's over-indulgence?!
*Billy Jealousy....an organic cosmeceutical line of luscious creams for guys and gals; Shaving cream just voted #1 by Esquire Mag.
*A Lot to Say......an adorable line of cotton t's and undies, imprinted with witty sayings
*Mandika Bags....handbags "upcycled" from Men's Suits; must see to believe, they're darling
*Ruby Sue.....fabric rose clustered tie necklaces, embellished with stones; this fabric jewelry trend is all over Europe these days and was so well executed that I have had my own dream of the Red Rose Necklace that has my name all over it!
*Loomstate.....unisex line of sustainable fashion jeans and shirts

I could go on and on about so many of the one-of-a-kind items that intrigued me so. I am still enamored by their unique usage of many of the everyday products we have around us that have been recycled or upcycled in a way that gives them a second life, so much more interesting than their first!

Sherry has developed eco-icon stickers for each item that tells you if it's organic, handmade, natural, recycled or upcycled, my new favorite buzz word that means, "taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value."

So, drop in to One Green Street and check it out. Your choice is either to just hang out in "The Gathering Place," space where guests are invited to enjoy a warm seating area in the Home section or to Shop! You will be educated, you will definitely have fun, you will make a purchase, I'm sure, and you will besupporting the environment in a very special way!

Where is One Green Street?
5160 Buffalo Speedway (Kroger shopping center at Hwy. 59)
Houston, Texas 77005
(713) 866-469-8527
www.onegreenstreet.com

Chic Re-Find ........Wonderbar

1/21/2010

Chic RE-Find............it's remains a Wonder?!

If you are looking for a way to refresh your face after the long, hard winter (o.k., maybe it was only a couple of weeks here in Houston?!), it is prime time to pick up another bar of wonder! Wonderbar, which I have used and love is now available not only online but also can be found at Kuhl-Linscomb where you can just walk in the door and purchase one for yourself.
Also, the word is spreading about this great simple treatment for your skin.......look for Wonderbar in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar!

Chic Happening ......... The Golden Globes

1/21/2010

What the Goldens say about Spring Fashion.....

So, maybe it's just years of training but Sunday night as I sat in front of my TV with a pad and pencil, knowing that for some, the show was about the Stars, the Movies and the TV Shows, but for many of us, it's really about the Red Carpet Fashion Trends and a sneak peak at what Spring Fashion will be about?!

Some of my favorite take-aways from the night.........
*Romantic, Feminine details in ruffles, bows, draping
*Color of the night was split-decision.......Nude and Soft pales vs. Black;
 **The new news on the carpet were the neutrals.......nude, white, taupe and soft pales. Coral, peach and icey
    blues and lilacs. (this will be a very BLUE season with Turquoise leading the pack.)
    The cute, young starlets were all in a soft glow.
 **The secondary color was the always-you-can-count-on Black! This was the choice of the Legends of the
     industry. There were the Sophisticated styles on Meryl Streep, Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster to the gothic
     zippered look of Cher.
 **The two true color winners for the evening were Purple, #1 as seen beautifully on winner, Sandra Bullock,
     and Red, #2, best on Cameron Diaz
*Glitz.....all over metallic beading was there in every metal finish but most dominant in Silver
*Fabrics of choice.......Satin for Shine; Chiffon for femininity
*Earrings.....long, linear looks and large drops; a favorite of mine was Kate Hudson's Steve Russell Tassels.

The Best Trends of Last Decade

1/21/2010

As I peered through my very own RED GLASSES, I took a stylista's look at the trends of the past decade. (NOTE: fashion eyewear became a major fashion accessory trend of the last decade even though I've been wearing mine for 15 years, yikes?!) As someone who has spent a few years in the fashion retail business, I found it impossible to look at the '00s and not be fascinated by the changes.

First, celebrities increased their influence as they leapt onto the fashion scene, touching every aspect of the creative process from apparel to fragrance to advertising/fashion magazine coverage. Second, retail consolidations across the country created fewer store options for the consumer to buy at and for the designer to sell through. The result? Designers reached out through their own factory stores/outlets and online stores. On a positive note, the growth of the small, independent shop owner is a win for the consumer.

American women's approach to dressing changed also. They are looking at it as one aspect of their lives and are enjoying creating individual style. They care less about who they are wearing, but more about how they look in the outfit they have put together. Eclectic dressing is here to stay!

Following are a few of the highlights that emerged during the last 10 years...

Galleria Designer Boutiques
Barneys said au revoir to our Galleria at the end of the last decade ('98) as its space became Chanel's first free-standing boutique in Houston. This opened the gateway to what would become the great facelift of Galleria I. In a time when couture houses such as YSL, Valentino and Christian Lacroix were shuttering their doors, designers were changing the face of their storefronts to open them up to more potential shoppers, appealing more to the volume of passers-by and inviting everyone in to see their luscious wares. Interiors were updated to a much more contemporary luxe feel. Shopping in designer boutiques such as YSL, Versace, Ferragamo or Ralph Lauren in the Galleria is no longer a private affair.

Tory Burch
This NYC socialite, designer and businesswoman made her debut into the fashion world in 2004 with a pair of ballet flats named the Reva after her mother. She not only started a trend, but she has built a brand from those flats. Tory Burch has evolved into 14 product categories online, as well as a signature style in her own Galleria boutique and in many of Houston's finest stores. She once told me of a time she ran into old friends, and when they asked about how Reva was doing she quickly spouted sale numbers, only to realize that, oh no, they were asking about her MOM!

Spanx
It's hard to believe that we ever wore a fitted evening gown or a pencil skirt before Sarah Blakely decided to cut off her pantyhose in the year 2000 and create the undergarment of all undergarments, which we have come to know and love as Spanx. I have said many times that I am not sure what I did exactly before my Spanx, but I do know that it has become an idea that has legs (no pun intended) when the starlets and their dates discuss on the red carpet which one is wearing their Spanx!

Dresses, Denim and Fitness Wear
It wasn't that long ago that pants and pantsuits had become such an important part of our wardrobes we were sure to check with fine dining establishments to ensure we could wear them there. Those priorities shifted post-millennium as the new decade brought in some new ways for modern women to express their feminine side. Pants have been replaced in the No. 1 spot by the hottest new fashion look to come along in a while—the dress. Retailers pinned it the "rebirth of the dress," to the delight of designers like the revitalized Diane von Furstenburg and the new it-boy Jason Wu. Where did it come from? It's all about the new confidence women are enjoying. Women now know they can compete with men at the office, go out to dinner from work and still look feminine and amazingly flirty if they so desire!

7 for All Mankind
7 for All Mankind made it chic to wear designer jeans just about anywhere. This fabric that is about as American—as Texan, even—as you can get is now totally acceptable, downright fashionable and dressed up when properly styled. Some other designers who have enjoyed stardom from this trend shift are Earnest Sewn, True Religion and J Brand, to name only a few of the hot denim guys.

When in Doubt, Accessorize
If you asked many of the city's fashion finest just what they wanted their one special holiday gift to be, I can assure you for most it would be accessories. Not surprising, as this category, once considered fashion add-ons, ascended this decade to the top of the list of must-haves in every woman's wardrobe. Simply said, there is no other way to update last year's look easier, quicker and in most cases, with less expense than to add the newest accessories. This uptrend has caused dedicated accessories stores like À Bientôt to flourish.

Some of the biggest accessories trends of the decade were:

* Fashion eyewear. Prescription or non-prescription readers make a statement. (Trust me… I know about this!)
* Bold earrings. Chandeliers and hoops are here to stay
* Cuff and bangle bracelets. These add sophistication to any look.
* Scarves. Long and skinny, wrapped and wrapped again, scarves are not just a wintery idea. They also look great with a tank and jeans.
* Handbags. The big and the small of it; large for day, clutch for night
* Exotics, animal prints and metallics. Great in every category

Cheap 'n' Chic: The Target Effect!
In 2004, designer Isaac Mizrahi took that first bold step and made a deal with Target. It was the store that we all felt was far too focused on the masses to possibly have anything fashionable enough that we would want. Not only was it a hit for Isaac and the great minds of Target, but it became the hot ticket in town. Soon, many of the hippest designers of the decade were standing in line to put their creative juices to work. Target (like Euro staples H&M and Topshop) built on this concept of one-time only, designer collaborations to feature both established designers such as Zac Posen and emerging talent such as Rodarte, which just hit Target stores last week. This concept has proven to open doors for many designer step-down lines. It has fueled the retail competitive spirit as other retailers, such as Kohl's, have featured the likes of Vera Wang, Nicole Miller and Dana Buchman.

Small Screen Style
In a decade that saw the complete embrace of fashion by celebrities, no one can downplay the impact of TV on the style of the nation, starting with Sex In The City, which straddled two decades ('98-'04). Not only were the Fab Four a feast for the fashion eye, but no doubt Carrie Bradshaw made Manolos and Jimmy Choos household names and flame-haired über-stylist Patricia Fields an icon. Now we have Gossip Girl where Blake Lively, Leighton Meester and Taylor Momsen have taken classic NYC prep-school dressing and made it playful and ever-so-trend-forward. On a different note, Bravo's 2004 launch of Project Runway—which brought fame for our town's Chloe Dao—was the first to bring the creative process of fashion design to the masses and made a star of its guru, Tim Gunn.

Purchasing with a Purpose
As we end the decade with a given amount of belt-tightening on discretionary spending, designers and retailers have joined forces to ensure that fashion, one of the world's largest industries, lends a hand to make a difference in the world. Designers and retailers have found many ways to give back through consumer purchases that support many of the most important health and social causes around the globe. The Gap's Product Red Campaign for Aids in Africa, ('06), the Annual Celebrity kick-off of Go Red Day for NYC's Fashion Week ('06) to fight heart disease, the Annual Saks' Key to the Cure Breast Cancer Campaign are just a few examples. Leading Houston philanthropists, store owners, designers and media have found many creative ways to make shopping for a cause a regular happening here all year long.

Click it and Own it
Where do I start with online purchasing? If there is a need that you have, you can be assured that you can purchase it on the Internet. This has become a way of life and makes "The Net" the leading retailer in the world. Now that we are all so online dependent, it's hard to believe that it was 10 years ago that Natalie Massenet stepped out and began net-a-porter.com, the first online designer site, which has led the way for her own outnet.com, online sample sale house Gilt Groupe and many others. Every designer, department store and specialty chain relies heavily on online purchases and, from a non-fashion point-of-view, could we survive without Amazon or the iTunes store?

So long Foley's, Hello to Macy's
Houston's most famous home-grown retail name, founded in 1900 by the Foley's Bros., went away as part of the largest retail consolidation in history. That was the purchase of The May Company, owner of Foley's, Hecht's, Filene's, Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field's and many others, by Federated/Macy's in August 2005. The official name change of all stores happened on Sept. 9, 2006. For many of us it was an end of an era, but left us with hopes of a brighter future for department stores.

Is it Love?

10/15/2008
Roz