For Travis Christian, good taste is hereditary. Hailing from a long line of the sartorially inclined, the Dallas native recalls, “My earliest memories of fashion were shopping at NorthPark with my mom.”
After working in New York as a buyer at fashion houses Dior and Fendi, Christian realized the corporate ladder was leading him further away from his true loves: “The clients and the clothes.”
Since returning to Dallas in 2015, he’s been reunited with both—first as the director of women’s at Forty Five Ten and now working hand-in-hand with clients at The Conservatory.
Christian draws inspiration from the innovative brands he encounters daily, though his personal style is as much about sentimental significance as haute couture: “I have several watches from my grandfather that I wear with everything from my favorite denim to a Jil Sander tuxedo,” he says.
In his downtime, he enjoys quiet evenings at his Bluffview home with his boyfriend, long weekends at his family’s lake house, or dinners out with friends, which includes stylist Nini Nguyen—though he admits their relationship often blurs the lines between personal and professional. Laughs Christian, “We’ll go to lunch and then happen to end up at the store.”
Favorite Dallas restaurant: I have been in love with Homewood since it opened. I love their menu—clean, creative, and delicious.
Favorite local museum: I love the Kimbell in Fort Worth. I love the size, architecture, and exhibit curation.
Favorite items in your home: Pieces that have been gifted or have personal meaning are my favorite—things that make me smile or bring a happy memory top of mind every day. I have a beautiful walnut dining room table that was my parents’, a vintage chair that was in my grandfather’s office, a crystal ashtray from my great-grandfather, and most recently, a piece that was painted by my aunt.
Biggest home splurge: Landscaping
Favorite candle: D.S. & Durga Breakfast Leipzig for the kitchen, Tatine Spirit House for spring/summer, The Conservatory signature scent diffuser, and anything my boyfriend gifts me (he has excellent taste in candles).
Best serving staple: Georg Jensen’s Indulgence Grand champagne cooler
Favorite coffee-table book: Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950s. This was a gift and is full of beautiful photos of men in love, taken at a time when having those photos was a great risk, which makes the photos particularly emotional.
Things everyone should have in their closet: A few great pairs of jeans; soft, great-fitting t-shirts; white sneakers; and chunky loafers.
Fashion piece you can’t live without: A cardigan—it’s my go-to third piece.
Favorite apothecary item: Anything from Derm Institute, but their eye cream and moisture masks are my favorites.
Signature scent: Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille and Neroli Portofino
Top entertaining hack: Trader Joe’s flowers and votive candles—quick, easy, won’t break the bank, but makes your space warm and inviting.
Favorite travel destination: British Virgin Islands, Paris, or Ireland
Favorite movie or TV show: The West Wing
Favorite musical artist: Haim
Guilty pleasures: Chocolate and red wine
Instant mood booster: A good workout
Best advice you’ve ever received: The golden rule
