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As the founder of The SIL (The Stuff I Love), Natalie Bloomingdale is constantly on the hunt for under-the-radar designers who frequently forgo e-commerce—or for brands keen to do an online exclusive collection.

The Texas native launched her site in 2017 with just a handful of hard-to-find designers, most of whom she had been wearing for years. “I’d be in the powder room at an event, washing my hands, and someone would ask me about my dress,” says the Los Angeles–based Bloomingdale. “I’d be happy to share the name of the designer, but then have to apologise because it would inevitably be someone who was near-impossible to track down. I finally got the idea to launch my own site to give these brands the platform to share their designs.”

The SIL now represents over twenty different designers—all but one is female—and each must only offer exclusive designs for the site, not available anywhere else. Recent additions include Emilia Wickstead, whose wool crepe dresses are on offer, and ZAZI Vintage, the first time the Amsterdam-based brand offered saïda dresses (made in collaboration with the UN Ethical Fashion Initiative) on an exclusive basis.

While she currently counts Los Angeles as her home base, she heads back to Dallas nearly a dozen times a year to see friends, family, and clients. Here, she shares her insider guide to all things fashion and fun in Dallas.

What’s off the beaten path?

Renowned facialist Joanna Czech books months in advance, but her talent is worth the wait. It’s hard to say what I enjoy most, my time with her – or the results. She has the best sense of humour and is an utter joy to be around. I’m always sad when my visit’s over, but happy to share that she’s launching a product offering, so I can take a piece of her home with me.