All warm and cozy in this plaid topper coat from Houston/NY Fashion Designer Hunter Bell’s Fall 2016 collection
Newly transplanted designer Hunter Bell has recently made Houston her home as well as quickly working on making it the center of her business, including production of the very successful contemporary collection that she ran from her NYC office and showroom. Hunter, a South Carolina native and NYC resident until moving to Houston with her hubby and daughter, has a busy life making the transition from NYC to the Houston area where she is seeking out a new team of players in her new home. You see, Hunter, the Mommy of a beautiful toddler girl, is also expecting twins on the horizon and is busy assembling a well-thought-out plan that will make all of the new chapters of her life work strategically and cohesively going forward.
About the Designer
You know it has been said that you need to know your neighbors, well in the case of Hunter, who I had met once before at a P.A. she did here at Cakewalk Style a couple of years back, shares a suite in the office building I share with the many multi-talented creatives in my building. I have seen her many samples come and go, admired her inspiration boards on her walls and delighted in fashion retail chatter in the hallways, but it was not until recently that I had a chance to sit and chat about HER and her history that I learned so much about this talented lady whose whimsical and flirty feminine designs are a great addition to the contemporary world of retail where I so often shop.
Just a little ‘Hunter-History’.….she is a U. of Alabama graduate who did internships with Nanette Lepore and Rebecca Taylor in NYC and then began her career with some major NY wholesalers before stepping out and beginning her own collection in 2006, with her then roommate, who was called Hunter Dixon. This collection proceeded her competition and first place win on Season Two of Fashion Star, a show that I watched faithfully as major retailers such as Saks, Macy’s and Express voted for styles that were created new each week and then, if selected, which Hunter was, for the final big prize, would receive a large purchasing commitment to the designer. As a long time retailer, it was exciting for me to watch decisions made on actually what buyers would purchase for their stores! From there she went on to receive the exposure and following that set her apart and enticed such retailers as Nordstrom, Shopbop, Saks, as well as many boutiques around the country to carry her line. Her largest client to date remains Rent the Runway, who come back to Hunter season after season for great styles for the person that may want so much versatility in their wardrobe that a committed purchase just isn’t where they put their dollars…..a great example is the wonderful coats that I saw and love but may not need on a daily basis, a great idea for RTR!
Hunter Bell Fall 2016 Collection
The following are some highlights of Hunter Bell Fall 2016, a collection which she says was inspired by Round Top and a story written by Paper City’s Ann Lee Phillips. This interior design mecca where so many of us have shopped for many years led her to look for many of the warm, cozy fabrics that she saw there as well as much of the bold colors, unique detailing and abstract prints that have become her signature. Her styles for Fall, are some great coats, structured dresses, classic blouses and tailored jackets in a mix of both rich and warm colors.
What’s Next for the Designer
For Hunter Bell there is much to be done and after chatting with her I know she is up for the task. A new home, a new baby (make that two!) a new take on an established career, where her focus is very much on sales, and marketing to get those sales, just a transplanted one…..each of which would be a daunting task for many women. However, after chatting, it is very clear to me that Hunter has it all together through a very specific well-thought out plan and goals for herself. She has a clearer picture of what she wants and what she needs to do to achieve it all in her multi-faceted life. She has recently joined a collaboration with a design/sales group in NYC called Brand Assembly who will represent her collection in a NY showroom and provide some in store support such as an exclusive Lord & Taylor shop in its NY Flagship location.
Fall 2016 on sale now online here for purchase or for rentals any time on Rent the Runway and other boutiques such as Muse, Monkees and others in our area. Spring 2017, inspired by the designer’s trip to Greece, is on target for production in January and in store and online approximately early March. Stay tuned, Hunter Bell is here in Houston to stay and we have only just begun to hear lots of exciting news from this talented designer!
Designer Hunter Bell
