HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 19, 2020 – River Oaks District is reinventing the holiday experience with the debut of its new experiential gallery, Holidaze. Beginning on November 20 through January 3, Holidaze will transport guests from their everyday routine into four unique holiday environments. The District partnered with local design firm, MATTER CREATIVE, to create a concept that welcomes all audiences in a space aimed to evoke nostalgia, reflection, and provide the perfect Instagrammable moment. This marks a special addition to the variety of River Oaks District’s offerings and will bolster their reputation as a festive shopping, lifestyle and dining destination through the holiday season.
Holidaze marks the fourth project between River Oaks District and MATTER CREATIVE, a collaboration that most recently designed the wildly popular HUESTONE Gallery. Holidaze, which is free to the public, will include elevated programming, pop-ups and workshops.
“Our mission is to continue bringing unique experiences for the River Oaks District shopper.” Said Marketing Director, John Pearson, “We wanted to create a space that captures the essence of the holidays that speaks to everyone. Holidaze not only encapsulates that spirit but will serves as a multifunctional space to produce elevated programming and experiences.”
The journey through the gallery space begins with the Dining Hall. Referencing the holiday table as a focal point of gatherings, a large white banquet style table peeks through a narrow hallway created by white canopied drapes. The table is under an upside-down Christmas tree hung from the ceiling as the focal point. To the left, the I’ll Have a Pink Christmas pays homage to pop princess Mariah Carey’s iconic holiday hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You,” the room exploding with boxes of pink presents and a life-sized present in the center inviting you to snag a selfie among the sugar plum palate boxes.
The Hard Candy Christmas room celebrates the nostalgia of a classic Western aesthetic. Harkening to a simpler time, the space blends an indoor living room setting with nature through a styled indoor campfire setup. The walls are accented with humble artwork and holiday décor. Finally, the “And A Happy New Year” vignette captures the glitz and glamor of ringing in the New Year with floor length mirrors, metallic tinsel, and hanging silver and black noisemakers. The room is packed with color to capture a futuristic glow, inviting you to take a moment to reflect on the past, plan for the future, and get lost in the glitter.
“This year, we’re looking for a more comfortable familiarity, so I took inspiration from vintage holiday advertising campaigns and injected a contemporary flair,” said MATTER CREATIVE founder Matt Johns. “I wanted to play on the term often used around the holidays (holidaze) and capture that feeling in multiple spaces while having fun. This year, more than ever, people just need a little magic, and I hope they find it in this space.”
Holidaze Gallery is located in the District’s central courtyard across from Toulouse, neighboring the recently-opened Laura Rathe Fine Art. The gallery is free of charge and will be open Mon-Sat:12PM-8PM
