VP/Trend Direction & Design for Dallas Market Center (DMC) Alden Clanahan passed away on February 5 at his apartment in Dallas.
“Alden’s untimely passing is a deep loss for our company family, for our city, and for the industries we serve,” says Bill Winsor, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “His keen eye and creative vision were an inspiration to every single person who walked through the Dallas marketplace. His intelligent expression and generosity will be deeply missed.”
Clanahan began his retail career at Sanger Harris in 1981 and in the 1980s and ‘90s served as a production manager for Dallas-based fashion designer Sandra Garratt, managed visual merchandising for Neiman Marcus, and created a freelance business for visual merchandising, store planning and store design. His roster of clients included Carlos Falchi, Escada, Lily Dodson, Tootsies, Dallas Market Center, the Greenhouse Spas, Trappings, Redeem and Translations, in addition to many private residential clients.
In 2001, Alden joined Dallas Market Center to direct the visual merchandising and events department, where he was promoted to vice president in 2005. His creative vision will remain imprinted throughout the DMC campus – from window displays to trend reports, fashion shows to gala events, and photo shoots to the smallest design detail.
Clanahan was also tireless in his support of local service and charitable organizations. His leadership role within DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) included serving on the Board of Trustees for three separate terms. In 2005, he was selected as a “Texas Legend” by the Metroplex Cadillac Dealers for his generous work with DIFFA. He served as an active member of Fashion Group International (FGI) Dallas for many years and was recently asked to join the Board of Trustees for FGI Dallas. He is survived by his mother, brother and sister as well as his beloved Corgi, Bella.
