DALLAS–Alden Clanahan, vice president of trend direction and design at Dallas Market Center, passed away on Feb. 5. He was 52 years old.
“Alden’s untimely passing is a deep loss for our company family, for our city and for the industries we serve,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, 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 1990s 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, and was promoted to vice president in 2005.
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.