They’ve got the look: Local style icons on why they wear what they wear so well

Nancy Houssels
retired dancer, full-time patron of the arts

Personal style: simple, classic, timeless

Favorite designers: Oscar de la Renta and Armani. Being of short stature, I rarely wear large prints, multi-colored outfits or bulky fabrics. I favor these two designers not only for their classic designs, but for their beautiful fabrics. My favorite fabrics are chiffon, silk and organza … fabrics I used in my costuming in my dancing days. These fabrics are lightweight and move with the body.

Fall 2012 trend I’m anxiously awaiting: Not-so-high-heels as well as beautiful colors and fabrics.

Color pick for Fall 2012: Purple, orange, bronze

Can’t live without: my Cartier watch

Fashion icon I’m most inspired by: Coco Chanel

Farid Matraki
senior vice president and general manager, Crystals at CityCenter

Personal style: sophisticated, modern, unique and timeless

Favorite designers: I love suits. You can’t find a more perfectly tailored suit than those at Ermenegildo Zegna and Tom Ford. Both offer an extensive made-to-measure program. It’s actually fun for me to pick the fabric, colors and then see the final result.

Fall 2012 trend I’m anxiously awaiting: Usually fall colors tend to be darker — grays and blacks. This year, we’re seeing many more fun color combinations and prints, which will add a little life to the season.

Color pick for Fall 2012: I like taking some risks with fashion, so I’m excited to see plum in a lot of designers’ work. I like the combination of plum with gray.

Can’t live without: I am a collector of watches, and currently I’m switching between one from the Harry Winston Ocean collection and one from de Grisogono. Fashion icon I’m most inspired by: I had the pleasure of meeting Tom Ford last year when he visited his store here at Crystals. Mr. Ford is a visionary and perfectionist, and I admire how he changed Gucci and what he now creates in his own line. He is a polite and sophisticated gentleman — and, as expected, dresses immaculately.

Jessica Galindo
designer for Leather Couture by Jessica Galindo

Personal style: avant-garde with bohemian/organic flair, artful, patternful, sheer

Favorite designers: I don’t have a favorite label. There are designers I am consistently awed by, but I enjoy variety. I like layering, eras, colors, patterns and silhouettes to create a balanced look. 

Fall 2012 trend I’m anxiously awaiting: I don’t actively study fashion. I love lots of everything, and its seems that’s where we are at right now in fashion, so I’m enjoying that.

Color pick for Fall 2012: metallics, navy and neons

Can’t live without: heels

Fashion icon I’m most inspired by: Vivienne Westwood