Houston—Fashion Forward
Houston has always been a city known for its great shopping—shops like CH Carolina Herrera, Jimmy Choo, Bvlgari and Christian Dior call Houston home.
Houston has been in the limelight lately as a place where fashion is not only sold but designed. Lot 8 owner and designer Chloe Dao made headlines recently as the winner of Bravo's Project Runway. Fans continue to pour into her Rice Village boutique, snapping up Chloe Dao originals under her Lot 8 label.
Native Houstonian and former fashion editor Alexandra Knight has quickly become one of the world's most innovative designers of handmade alligator handbags. She embodies two of the most important trends in fashion: customization and individuality. Hilary Swank, who carried an Alexandra Knight handbag to the 2006 Academy Awards, is one of many celebrities Knight has worked with.
Houston-based jewelry designer Marnie Greenwood continues to dazzle her ever-growing fan base with her collection of semi-precious creations, bridal beauty and eye-catching elegance. The secret to success for this trailblazing star is in the approach. The stone takes precedence, and the inspiration for the design follows, allowing each and every creation the ability to realize its full aesthetic potential. Marnie Rocks jewelry has been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Lucky,Women's Wear Daily and more.
Abejas owner Christina Nicodemus recently launched the "Miel de Abeja" line of Indian rose-cut bangles, which are now sold at Santa Monica's Fred Segal store, in addition to her Rice Village boutique.
Houstonian Elaine Turner has built a handbag and shoe empire all from the comfort of company headquarters in Rice Village. Turner’s trips to exotic destinations fuel her creativity and set her design wheels spinning. Her bags range from sleek raffia clutches with patent trims to luxurious overnight bags all with the signature Elaine Turner crown emblem. Her venture into shoes has yielded a chic array of ballet flats and sexy heels, with more styles to come. The busy mom has also managed to have her wares in all Nordstrom and Tootsies stores and in Fall 2008, Turner will open a lifestyle boutique in an historic art deco building on University Boulevard.
Green Houston 
