Hunter Bell, Saint Bernard, and a Night At Round Top's Historic Dance Hall
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Time to read 4 min
With line dancing, live music, and a century-old setting, the designer’s Round Top gathering was a celebration of Texas tradition, creativity, and community.
Hunter Bell wanted to throw a line-dancing party in Round Top. There was just one small detail. She didn’t actually know how to line dance.
“I wanna do a line dancing party. I don’t know how to line dance, cause I’m from South Carolina and these are the only boots I own,” Bell joked to guests Wednesday evening.
On October 21, the designer joined longtime retail partner Saint Bernard for a celebration at the historic Round Top Dance Hall, bringing together friends, fellow creatives, and familiar faces from the Texas design community.
There were cocktails, live music by The Broken Spokes, and plenty of opportunities to put those boots to work. Guests wore pieces from Bell’s Fall 2026 collection, adding her signature color and prints to a setting with a personality all its own.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the evening was the building itself.
A Dance Hall With a Past
Long before Round Top became a destination for antique hunters, designers, and collectors, the building now known as Round Top Dance Hall was bringing people together in the small Texas community of Wesley.
Originally known as Airway Hall, the early 20th-century structure served as a gathering place for the area’s Czech community. Its large windows could be opened to catch the breeze, a necessity before air conditioning, and reportedly gave the building the appearance of being ready for takeoff.
Saved from demolition and relocated to Round Top in the 1990s, the hall has since welcomed everything from weddings and community gatherings to live music and celebrations.
It’s the sort of place that makes Round Top what it is. A building with a past, preserved not simply to be admired, but to continue being used.
On Wednesday evening, more than a century of Texas tradition met a room full of colorful dresses, cowboy boots, and a designer who was still learning the steps.
From South Carolina to Round Top
For Bell, the evening was about more than introducing a collection. It was an opportunity to recognize the Texas community that has embraced her brand and the retail partnership that has helped it grow.
“Saint Bernard has been such an instrumental account to my brand, Hunter Bell,” she told the crowd.
Reflecting on her South Carolina roots and the reception her designs have received in Texas, Bell added, “I had no idea what Texas could do for a southern girl from the East Coast.”
The relationship with Saint Bernard has become an important part of the brand’s story, connecting Bell’s designs with shoppers across Texas.
Bell also spoke about the philosophy behind her collections, emphasizing quality over quantity and the importance of designing with “integrity and intent” while continuing to bring something new to each season.
It’s a sentiment that feels particularly at home in Round Top, where shoppers spend hours searching for pieces made with craftsmanship, character, and a point of view.
The Details That Made the Night
While the dance hall provided plenty of character on its own, the evening included thoughtful touches that reflected Bell’s creative world.
Spoonflower linens and custom décor brought her signature prints into the space, while a Round Top Toile backdrop, horseshoe wall, and vintage-inspired posters near the stage offered playful nods to the setting.
Hunter Bell print designer Leslie Randall painted live throughout the evening, giving guests a glimpse into the creative process behind the brand’s original patterns.
Nearby, Suede and Honey hosted a custom leather-branding station, offering guests a personalized keepsake from the evening.
Specialty farm-to-glass cocktails and passed bites circulated as guests mingled, while a dessert spread from Round Top favorite Royers Pie Haven added a familiar local touch.
The Broken Spokes kept the music going, and the dance floor became a gathering place of its own.
For a town known for bringing together people with a shared appreciation for old things, new ideas, and the stories behind them, the evening felt right at home.
Beyond the Dance Hall
The gathering was also a reminder of how much the Round Top Antiques Show has evolved.
While antiques remain at the heart of the experience, fashion, original art, independent makers, and creative collaborations have become part of what draws visitors to the fields each season.
Both Hunter Bell and Saint Bernard are among the retailers bringing their collections to Blue Hills for the Fall 2026 show.
At Hunter Bell’s tent, shoppers can explore the Fall collection alongside Round Top exclusives, including a rodeo-inspired graphic tee, hats created in collaboration with Freya, jewelry from Lizzie Fortunato, and art prints from Lindsey Meyer and Inslee Fariss.
As Bell reminded guests during her remarks, the partnership with Saint Bernard and the support of Texas shoppers have played a meaningful role in her brand’s journey.
Perhaps that’s part of what makes Round Top special. People arrive from different places, bringing their own traditions, ideas, and creative perspectives, and somehow find common ground.
Sometimes, that common ground happens to be a century-old dance floor.
Where to Find Hunter Bell and Saint Bernard in Round Top
Hunter Bell
Blue Hills, Tent 7
Saint Bernard
Blue Hills, Tent 16
1701 TX-237, Carmine, Texas
Fall 2026 Show: October 17–31
For more of the designer’s favorite places to shop, eat, and explore, read our A Day in Round Top with Hunter Bell guide on Round Top Finds.
Follow Along with Hunter Bell and Saint Bernard
Hunter Bell: @hunterbellnyc · hunterbellnyc.com
Saint Bernard: @shopsaintbernard · saintbernard.com
