PaperCity Magazine

April 2015 - Houston

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A favorite? It's hard to choose, but one of the pieces I'm most proud of is our meteorite Albion surrounded by gray diamonds. The materials are so extraordinary, and the darkened setting creates a dynamic and mysterious look. More collaborations with Evan? Our design process is always about collaboration. In fact, we're working on a collection that will debut this fall that also utilizes unique gemstones in truly innovative settings. Albion from $1,450, at the David Yurman boutique, davidyurman.com. Rebecca Sherman D avid Yurman and his son Evan have spent years hunting down rare, one-of-a-kind stones at gem and mineral shows and excavations in far-flung corners of the globe for their signature twisted- cable jewelry. They've reserved the most prized and beautiful specimens for their private collections — until now. The Collector's Series' 22 limited-edition rings are set with the Yurmans' own stash of gems, each signed and numbered, including peach moonstone, purple sugilite and even meteorites. In the beginning. Over the last five years, Evan and I have been collecting unusual and unique gemstones from all over the world. This particular collection was a perfect opportunity to showcase many of our favorite stones in our most iconic design — Albion. In a way, I feel like many of these stones were just waiting for this opportunity. Collected Works David Yurman, and right, sketching David Yurman Collector's Series Albion ring with chocolate moonstone and pink sapphires in 18K rose gold, $14,000 Diamonds in 18K white gold, $27,000 Cognac diamonds in 18K rose gold, $22,000 Meteorite in titanium, $3,500 Sugilite and pink sapphires in darkened sterling silver, $2,450 Black diamonds in darkened 18K white gold, $17,000 H ouston's got a brand-new bag … and shoe. And hipster retailer. And just about everything else. Houston retail is heating up in a major way, and the Galleria is sparing no expense to enhance its draw with the luxury consumer. An intoxicating slew of luxe, new- to-Houston names (some new to the state) are opening in the shopping Mecca between now and next spring. Thirty-nine-year-old leather-goods label MCM snuck up on us with a recent quiet opening. Not familiar with the brand? Think Louis Vuitton's distant and more rebellious cousin — and the accessory of choice for Joan Collins and Linda Evans from the Dynasty era, for those of us old enough to remember. The iconic bags, modernized, have steadily gained traction with European and Asian customers. Fine European lingerie atelier La Perla and leather-goods purveyor Tod's will both follow suit, with big reveals planned for May. And, meanwhile, Saks Fifth Avenue moves ahead with its 200,000-square- foot new store (to be completed in spring of 2016), opening in the revamped former Macy's space. In Saks' previous location, will rise 35 posh new retail phoenixes, come 2017. In another ingenious move, the Galleria's parent company, Simon, is bringing in Miami hipster retail scion The Webster and creating the brand's first location outside of Florida. Famous for attracting on-trend South Beach patrons, the store will stock many ready-to-wear and jewelry designers that Houstonians have previously only been able to purchase outside the city (think Delfina Delettrez, Haider Ackermann, Yazbukey). The 5,000-square-foot space will be built from the ground up as a freestanding high-concept luxury boutique facing Westheimer, to be connected to the Galleria by a covered walkway. Construction is anticipated to be complete by November 2015. Francine Ballard GALLERIA'S GAMBIT Rendering of the Galleria's new luxury wing, which will house newcomers Céline, La Perla, MCM, Tod's and more The Webster will be the Galleria's first freestanding retail boutique, opening this November CREDIT: COURTESY THE GALLERIA CREDIT: COURTESY THE GALLERIA North Italia, 1700 Post Oak Blvd. at San Felipe at BLVD Place, 281.605.4030, northitaliarestaurant.com Playing to packed crowds since its recent opening, North Italia — an expansive Italian-inspired eatery with more than 200 seats inside and out, and views into a glass-walled chef-driven kitchen with a stunning bright-red range hood — is the brainchild of Fox Restaurant Concepts, the Phoenix- based group that also brought True Food to BLVD Place. There are seven North Italia locations in the U.S., but unlike other multi-unit concepts, this one goes the extra mile by making its pastas and pizza dough from scratch, all served in an open, boisterous room flanked with striped banquettes and bathed with natural light. Executive chef Jonathan Wills' menu selections are actually inspired by several regions of Italy, not just the North, with many dishes bolstered by locally sourced ingredients. Start with a glass of Super Tuscan vino and the Chef's Board ($15), a wooden cutting board with prosciutto, cheeses, Marcona almonds, olives, roasted peppers and more. Move on to the Tuscan kale salad with Parmesan vinaigrette ($9) or the heirloom beet salad with apples, arugula, hazelnuts and ricotta salata ($11). Torn between the fig and prosciutto pizzas ($14)? Just split one down the middle. Pastas include Bolognese ($16) and ricotta gnocchi with braised beef short ribs, arugula and horseradish cream ($19). Main courses range from the expected (chicken Parmesano, $18) to the unexpected (grilled branzino with faro, kale, lemon soffrito and herb butter, $27). And don't pass up the salted caramel budino, a butterscotch pudding with salted caramel sauce and whipped cream ($6), or tiramisu with glossy chocolate pearls that add a welcome crunch ($6). Reservations recommended. Laurann Claridge GO NORTH MY FRIEND! The name behind one of the world's most successful showrooms for designer and architects, Holly Hunt's story began in a small West Texas town. Here, the budding interior design mogul, who studied English and textiles at Texas Tech, worked briefly at Foley's in Houston before heading to New York. She eventually landed in Chicago, where in 1983 she started a small showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart — one that made the international design world take notice. It was there she built her eponymous brand, selling contemporary pieces by the likes of mid-century modernist Karl Springer, making a name for Christian Liaigre stateside and taking on American couture designer Ralph Rucci, inspiring him to create his own furnishings collection. With a penchant for French that endures, she's wooed Gallic architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and his countryman, designer Tristan Auer, into her exclusive design clique as well. While refining her eye for clean, modern lines and a pulled-back aesthetic (all fostered as a luxe contemporary alternative during the opulent '80s, when frou- frou antiques and gussied-up upholstery ruled the interior landscape), she eventually created her own line of furniture and fabrics, much of which is made in the U.S., including case goods produced by craftsmen in Texas. Late last summer, Hunt opened her first showroom in Dallas — a mighty 15,000-square-foot space — with a smaller 3,500-square-foot space recently opened in Houston to great fanfare. Showroom manager Sheila Cloudt and regional manager Nancy Winston fill the two Texas showrooms with the likes of Great Plains Fabrics, Alison Berger lighting and, of course, Holly Hunt leather, studio furniture and lighting. Holly Hunt, Decorative Center Houston, 5120 Woodway, Atrium 1, 713.489.5300, hollyhunt.com. Laurann Claridge On the HUNT Executive chef Jonathan Wills Holly Hunt showroom Holly Hunt Convex mirrors Holly Hunt Studio Furniture Laredo cocktail table Holly Hunt Studio Furniture Goblet table

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