Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/536148
W e are well into fall strategy sessions, with both Dallas and Houston editorial and art departments coming together to plot and plan a historic season of chic store openings, art fairs and the launch of PaperCity Dallas Design Awards. Seventy new stores and restaurants are opening in Houston at River Oaks District — see this page, below, for a partial list. At least 35 new high-profile stores are opening this fall and spring in a new luxury wing and freestanding jewel box in Houston Galleria, as well as in the renovated existing luxury wing (announced stores include The Webster, Christian Louboutin, Céline, La Perla, Tod's), and an amazing new Saks Fifth Avenue opens its doors April 2016. In the fine arts world, both Houston Fine Art Fair (September 9 – 12) and Texas Contemporary Art Fair (October 1 – 4) are settling into their particular métiers, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's blockbuster "Mark Rothko: A Retrospective" opens September 20 (through January 24), celebrated with our September feature on Christopher Rothko, Mark's son, who has recently stepped up as chairman of the board of the Rothko Chapel as it undergoes a reimagining, in the spirit of Mark Rothko, with new technologies in lighting. To celebrate this unprecedented season, and to create exciting new advertising possibilities for our luxury partners, we have created a gatefold cover that unfurls to showcase five 12x18- inch billboards. We are in love with this. Sudhoff Companies tested it out in our May issue to highlight The River Oaks and The Wilshire luxury high-rises, to great success. Simon Properties (Houston Galleria) has snatched it up for September, and River Oaks District has it for October. We are also thrilled to have Tom Ford as our October cover and profile, to celebrate his store opening at River Oaks District, his new movie in the works, and whatever else Tom feels like talking about. The glittering Tom Ford opening Monday, October 19, is chaired by Domenico De Sole, Becca Cason Thrash and Josef Helfenstine, culminating in a glorious dinner benefitting The Menil Collection. And to navigate these swiftly flowing waters, we have brought into the PaperCity fold three exceptional new talents. Joining us as features editors are Patricia Mora (who has written for Patron, FD Luxe, the Dallas Morning News, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the International Association of Art Critics) and James Brock in Houston (founder of culinary think tank The Brockhaus and former managing editor of Houston Press; he has worked for publications in New York, Paris and Dubai, as well as in the kitchens at two Michelin three-star restaurants in Europe). Also coming on board is Chris Baldwin as our digital editor, who's charged with expanding our digital footprint and growing our online properties and platforms. Happy fall! Holly Moore Editor in Chief holly@papercitymag.com HUNT SLONEM 14 in this ISSUE J U LY 2015 | STYLE | FASHION | SOCIAL 4 , 6 , 8 P O P. C U LT U R E . G O S S I P. 12 New Doors: Chefs' night out 17 Travel: Where to be this summer 10 Parties: Dining with Saks Fifth Avenue and special guests Ethan Koh, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger Party: The Menil Collection's Men of Menil gentlemen's evening 34 Decoration: What's new in the design whirl 29, 32 Design: Barbara Hill's rockin' high-rise 38 Party: Holly Hunt opening at Decorative Center Houston Parties: Kinkaid luncheons and Sporting Clays Benefit Party: Preservation Houston's Cornerstone Dinner Party: Hermann Park Conservancy's Evening in the Park MAX BURKHALTER Monica Bickers 22 Design: Wooch Graff and Jill Smith's Garden Oaks fun house T his past Mother's Day, I received a beautiful Hermès cuff from my two daughters. As they are only three years old and nine months old, this was clearly selected by my husband. And, while he does have a photographic memory of everything I own, it looked similar to a piece I already have. Thoughts of everything else I would like to purchase from the fabulous boutique (is there anything that's not fabulous at Hermès?) flooded my mind. Then I realized that I should consider not only myself, but what my daughters might want down the road: something beautiful, memorable and classic. Of course, once at Hermès with store director Jeremy Garcia by my side, it took no time to find something new to cherish — for me now, for my girls later. We at PaperCity are always thinking about the future: what our advertisers want from our publication and what the readers want to read. Our July issue features some of the best ideas in home design and travel — what's new and who you should know about. And, while summer is half way over, there's still time for a last-minute jaunt. Central America, maybe? You must go to Mukul. Or look to the future and book a New Year's trip to St. Barths. Monica Bickers Publisher monica@papercitymag.com PC House + Art J ohn and Becca Cason Thrash — power couple for the performing and visual arts and Houston's philanthropic scene — chair Opening Night of the Texas Contemporary Art Fair, which takes the town Thursday through Sunday, October 1 through 4, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. (Opening Night beneficiary is once again Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.) Dealers are lining up, including a flock of those exhibiting in Art Market's inaugural Seattle Art Fair (July 30 – August 2), whose co-producer is none other than Microsoft's Paul Allen. For Houston, Fair co-founder/co-owners Max Fishko and Jeffrey Wainhause plan a special international section. Watch these pages for first news of exhibiting gallerists, special PAs, a highly notable honoree, parties, performances and programming, beginning with the announcement of the appearance of international design stars The Haas Brothers (see page 6). Stay tuned next month for our coverage of the high-voltage Host Committee cocktail at the casa of architect Karen Lantz and husband Andrew Farkas, which officially kicked off year five of the Texas Contemporary Art Fair. Watch for more updates in upcoming issues and at papercitymag.com. txcontemporary.com. Catherine D. Anspon TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR BUZZ: T he good news: French designer Christian Louboutin is opening shop — finally — in Houston Galleria. The bad news: It's opening Fall 2016. The new boutique will stock not only Louboutin's complete collection of devil-red soles and handbags, but also the men's collection. Stay tuned for more. SOLE OF THE DEVIL R umor Oaks District: The rumors keep flying concerning who's opening shop in River Oaks District this fall and in spring 2016. The latest speculation is Fendi and Van Cleef & Arpels, which are unconfirmed, but they would be in good company. Confirmed stores and restaurants include Tom Ford, Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Moncler, Intermix, Diptyque, Chopard, Cannali, Kiton, Brunello Cucinelli, Patek Philippe at deBoulle Jewelers, Warby Parker, Anne Fontaine, L'Occitane, Etro, Bonobos, Akris, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Giuseppe Zanotti, John Lobb, Hermès, Equinox, Ipic Theaters and Le Colonial, American Food & Beverage, Taverna, Toulouse and Thirteen Pies restaurants, as of press date. The two luxe residential high-rises have a very cool name: Grey House. We'll keep you posted … Right on Target: Jewelry designer Eddie Borgo is Target's next big designer collab! Launching Sunday, July 12, the Eddie Borgo x Target collection is all about customizable jewelry and accessories. "Empowering people to be creative" is Borgo's mission. Select a necklace, earrings, handbag or wall art and customize it with his charms, studs and totems to make it your own … Milk + Honey Spa out of Austin opens later this year in West Ave. THIS JUST IN … W e crazy admire artist Massimo Vitali, the 70-something-year-old Italian photographer best known for his very populated Italian beach scenes. They're not quite as light-hearted as they seem: Look closely for smokestacks, abandoned buildings and the scenes themselves, which smack of "the inner condition and disturbances of normality: its cosmetic fakery, sexual innuendo, commodified leisure, deluded sense of affluence, and rigid conformism," pronounces Vitali. Aaah, Massimo. We just thought it was a day at the beach. Vilebrequin limited-edition Massimo Vitali swim trunk $300, at Saks Fifth Avenue, vilebrequin.com. A selection of Massimo Vitali "Beaches Series" photographs available at McClain Gallery. Holly Moore A DAY AT THE BEACH Vilebrequin Massimo Vitali limited-edition swim trunk Massimo Vitali's Landscape with Figures Portfolio; Viareggio Sun, Sheet #1, 2006 COURTESY MCCLAIN GALLERY Christian Louboutin fall collection