Earlier this month, five 4.0 CFDA {Fashion Incubator} designers traveled to Dallas. The city’s W hotel hosted a showcase that served to connect the participants to key players in this all-important retail market. The visit included appointments with the likes of Tenoversix, Neiman Marcus, and Forty Five Ten, an excursion to the Dallas Contemporary for Bruce Weber’s Far From Home exhibition, and the piece de resistance: a runway show and model installation at the W featuring key looks from each designer’s Spring 2017 collection. We asked them for their highlights from their three-day adventure.

Aurora James, Brother Vellies: Definitely stopping at the vintage store, Dolly Python, where I bought an amazing, yellow fur vest.

Thaddeus O’Neil: The Dallas Contemporary. Bruce Weber had some great work and [there was] a sculpture from Mexico that was very impressive.

Ji Oh: It has been very educational. Also can’t forget about the food!

Charles Youssef: It is a great way for all of us in the Incubator to get to know each other better while having a drink or dinner.

Julie and Jason Alkire, Haus Alkire: The Bruce Weber exhibit. It was awesome to see that body of work. Going to Chuy’s for lunch was also so much fun and delicious!