From Louis Vuitton To Cheetah Prints, Houston Welcomes Fall In Style

Retail, culture and wellness are welcomed in style.

SHOP The wait is over for Texans. Louis Vuitton (us.louisvuitton.com) just opened its first-ever men’s store in the Lone Star State, bestowing the honor more specifically at the Houston Galleria. Solely dedicated to menswear, the high-end space includes several ready-to-wear goods from Virgil Abloh’s fall/winter 2021 collection, with merchandise running the gamut from shoes and accessories to travelwear and fragrance. Louis Vuitton’s attention to detail is on full display in its new space. Vintage furniture decorates the interior, complemented by a series of contemporary and antiquated photographs and artworks from around the globe. Shoppers looking for timepieces can peruse the newly launched Tambour Street Diver collection, while those in the market for fragrances and colognes can enjoy selections from the house’s master perfumer, Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud. As a bonus, the shop offers several items from the brand-new Christopher leather goods collection. With a heavy focus on bespoke items, Louis Vuitton’s personalization of leather goods and on-site hot-stamping services allow customers to create personalized luxury pieces. Adding a touch of playfulness to the scene, a limited-edition Louis Vuitton Epi leather foosball table is on display for all game lovers. This new Louis Vuitton Menswear shop hit all the marks with the decor and merchandise, so expect nothing less than an epic experience treating yourself to the high quality of goods. –Nilam Mukherjee

Randal Ford’s “Cheetah No. 1”

EXPLORE Meet Austin-based photographer Randal Ford at Dimmitt Contemporary Art (dimmittcontemporaryart.com) as he celebrates the opening of his exhibition, Randal Ford: A Collection of Animal Portraits, with a book signing and reception on the evening of Oct. 28. Featuring his acclaimed Animal Kingdom series alongside his most recent series Good Dog, the exhibit will be on display through Nov. 24. Ford utilizes a simple aesthetic that gives the animals the opportunity to tell their own story. Precise lighting and neutral backgrounds combined with editing techniques allow Ford to push the image into a soft and aesthetically pleasing composition, and ultimately he releases control of the image to the animals to allow them to tell their own story. Viewers are sure to embrace his precise photography technique and process to create a connection.

PAMPER “Houston was a natural next step for us given the city’s appreciation for all things beauty, wellness and innovation,” says Dr. Mark McKenna, founder and chief medical officer of OVME, a medical aesthetic enterprise dedicated to helping women and men look and feel their best via a bespoke selection of minimally invasive cosmetic services. After opening its first Houston location in January, the studio hosted its delayed grand opening party Sept. 8 in true Texas style with a big VIP event where guests enjoyed Champagne and hors d’oeuvres, as well as 20% off all memberships, products and services. “Our ultimate goal is to provide superior cosmetic outcomes, every time,” says McKenna. “We prefer a natural and youthful approach to aesthetic medicine and offer a variety of services that help clients feel confident, refreshed and comfortable in their own skin.” Services include Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, photo facials and HydraFacials, plus clients can shop off its “moss wall” skincare boutique featuring popular brands like SkinMedica and Revision along with OVME’s own line of medical-grade skincare products. The Houston flagship is the brand’s largest location to date with 10 treatment rooms, including dedicated rooms for laser procedures and hydration therapy. “Guests can expect an intimate and luxurious experience at our sleek, contemporary studio,” says McKenna. “Houston feels like home, and the community has already been so welcoming.” 3021 Kirby Drive, ovme.com

GIVE BACK Over the past 24 years, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, the volunteer organization VICTORY has raised more than $17.9 million through the sale of The Holiday Shopping Card (holidayshoppingcard.com) to help in the fight against cancer. This year, Houston’s premier fall fundraising event is looking to top the charts with more than 475 retailers and restaurants throughout the Greater Houston area participating. “The retailers, restaurants, sponsors, underwriters, volunteers and media partners have made this job so rewarding as we all work together to support our local businesses and raise funds to help our neighbors battling cancer,” says Diane Watson Cain, Holiday Shopping Card’s co-chair. With the purchase of The Holiday Shopping Card, shoppers not only receive a 20% discount from Oct. 21 through Oct. 31 but can help make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer. “My co-chairs, Mary Ann Baxter and Anita Fogtman, and I feel fortunate to be a part of a volunteer-driven effort with minimal overhead,” says Cain. “It motivates us even more knowing that the funds we collect will remain in the immediate area and benefit many of our acquaintances and community members.” With 100% of the $75 card directly benefiting the American Cancer Society, shoppers have a great way to support those in need while simultaneously checking things off their shopping list.