After a Fashion
The Anthony-Nak Fall 2001 Collection raises the bar on local designers.
By Stephen MacMillan Moser, Fri., May 18, 2001
BAUBLES, BANGLES & BEADS Most interesting addition to the season's fashion lineup? Anthony Camargo and David Nakard's Anthony-Nak Fall 2001 Collection. With a full-page spread in the current In Style magazine, the boys were riding high. And it was a gala. Everyone came out: News 8 Austin, Fox 7, the Statesman -- well, it's not Anna Wintour and Suzy Menkes, but it's about as real as it gets around here. With minimalist Asian floral design provided by the talented team at Big Red Sun, Camargo & Nakard turned their production facilities inside out; the presentation was a stylish low-key affair hearkening back to the couture shows that took place in the Paris salons of the 1950s -- a welcome alternative to the usual static displays under glass. The clever staging featured a walkway winding through the audience of 125 invitees. The show opened with Ladies Who Lunch, a segment featuring a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the likes of Leona, Ivana, Zsa Zsa, and all the gals who prefer to not keep their jewels in the vault. Beautiful colored stones, mixed and layered, made a strong statement against the simple all-white clothes provided by Vylette boutique. For the Downtown segment, conjuring up images of Bianca, Madonna, and Debbie Harry, gold was the rule, with sleeker, edgier designs, suited for the younger upscale client. For daytime, Anthony-Nak understands that their client needs as many different looks in jewelry as in clothes, and they provide those looks in multiples. For evening, Liz, Jackie, and Marilyn were the glamour icons, with rubies, sapphires, and gold slithering up the arms, dripping from the ears and surrounding the throat in dazzling configurations. It was definitely old-school glamour with a decidedly contemporary accent. For the bride, the jewelers offer looks from demure to dramatic, with pearls, opals, topaz, and a host of pastel stones to please every palate. My favorite piece in the show was a chunky Wilma Flintstone-ish choker of huge, luminous rocks of aquamarine offset with delicately dangling earrings -- fabulous combination with extraordinary styling. There are a number of good jewelry designers in our area, but very few working in fine jewelry, and no one climbing the ladder as fast as these guys. From here to Hollywood, New York, and Washington D.C., Anthony-Nak is making quite a name for themselves and Austin.
RECURRING THEMES Another new, regular event on the design scene is the Central Design District's semi-annual show. Last November, they inaugurated the newly formed group by having a night out to acquaint the public with their myriad products and services offered. Bounded by West 15th Street, West Cesar Chavez, San Antonio Street and MoPac, the CDD is composed of 15 establishments, including Anjely Antiques & African Art, Artworks, Central Homegoods, Cities, Cush Cush Fabrics & Furnishings, Davis Gallery, Durham Trading, Elegante, Jaya, Marco Polo's Attic, Shabby Slips, West End Consignment, Whit Hanks Antiques, Wildflower Organics, and Zanzibar. This time, the CDD members are taking a slightly different approach, as each business will host a workshop or event covering topics in home décor and design. The Design Workshop Weekend will be held Friday & Saturday, June 8-9.
HOT OFF THE PRESS The newest edition to the chic SoCo strip? None other than our old favorite Blackmail. Having signed the lease on 1202 S. Congress, Blackmail (currently located at 2040 S. Lamar) will be neighbors with the fabulous Pink Salon. The new location is the oldest building on South Congress, built in 1889, and Blackmail owner Gail Chovan and her husband, signmaker extraordinaire Evan Voyles, have already begun the process of returning the spot to its original spaciousness. Best-case scenario? The place opens around July 1. Stay tuned.
WEDDED BLISS Major congratulations are in order for Designers' Guild member Judy Masliyah and her new husband, the multitalented Austin legend Glover Gill, married in a secret ceremony on March 30. The newlyweds received guests at their home on Cinco de Mayo in an open house that was flooded with well-wishers from noon until midnight. Both are immensely talented and deeply creative, and add such richness to the texture of our local scene.