Gabriela Hearst has unveiled an exclusive installation hosted by The Conservatory at Highland Park Village in Dallas. The immersive 3,000-square-foot space, located on the ground floor of The Conservatory’s Dallas flagship, presents Hearst’s latest collections alongside a curated selection of works by women artists. The installation reflects the brand’s focus on craftsmanship, sustainability and a long-term design vision, and will remain open through the end of May.
Hearst has worked with The Conservatory the high-end, experiential retail concept founded by Brian Bolke for the past five years. In Dallas, her collections are carried at The Conservatory and at Neiman Marcus NorthPark. Currently, the brand operates one store in London, two in the United States and two concessions in Korea.
“I wanted to do this because Texas is fun, and Dallas is fun, and because Brian is a legend in our industry,” Hearst said. “He has the best taste, and it’s always a pleasure to work with him. Doing it with friends in a place I want to travel to makes a lot of sense.”
The exterior of the Gabriela Hearst installation. Par Bengtsson/Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst
The installation features women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, fine merino wool and cashmere knitwear, footwear and small leather goods. It also includes special pieces such as seamlessly bonded python leather sourced from Inversa and repurposed vintage mink fur coats. On display as well are selections from Hearst’s fine jewelry line and an assortment of handbags, including the Nina, Demi, Diana and Leonora styles, with several one-of-a-kind exclusive designs.
Custom furniture and fixtures were commissioned specifically for the space and created by Benji Gavron and Antoine Dumas of Gavron Dumas Studio. Staying true to Hearst’s principles, the timber was sourced sustainably and locally, and all pieces were handmade by local artisans. Some elements, including reclaimed French oak display shelves and tables, were repurposed from the brand’s previous temporary space in Paris.
An adjacent gallery space showcases works by female artists curated by Sarah Calodney Advisory and Associates. The opening exhibition features pieces by Louise Bourgeois, Luchita Hurtado and Dorothea Tanning, as well as photographs by Texas-based artist Constance Jaeggi, whose work captures women practicing escaramuza, a traditional all-female equestrian sport.
Handbags at Gabriela Hearst. Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst
Asked whether the installation could signal a future freestanding store in Dallas, Hearst explained that such projects are part of how the brand explores new markets and connects with local culture. “We have a rule that it has to be a place we would like to travel to, and for sure Dallas has it,” she said.
On what she expects to resonate most with local clients, Hearst noted the city’s refined sense of style. “The taste level in Dallas is very high. The way clients are dressing is chic, elegant and unique. It’s difficult to point to just one bestseller — everything is performing, especially our one-of-a-kind pieces, elevated leather goods and demi-couture designs.”
Bolke added that The Conservatory has previously hosted similar residencies, including projects with FoundRae and Bottega Veneta, which later evolved into permanent retail presences.