It’s Not a MYTH…It’s a Collaboration of Four Talents

You know the saying that you don’t see what’s in your own back yard?!  Well, I live and work about a minute from the Rice Village and although I have seen it, I didn’t really get it until we got the grand tour of the newest entry to the Village scene by one of its owners and fellow FGI member, Trang Nguyen. She took us on a personal tour last week of their new 800 sq. ft. boutique hidden away on Times Blvd.

Myth & Symbol was recently opened by Trang, whose background is e-commerce/social media, having come from the Francesca Collection; her sister Chau, a high school art teacher that has big plans for creating future art workshops at the store; Chau’s hubby, Roque Strew, a graphic designer, has taken on the branding and website design; and lastly, their longtime friend, Ameet Gaitonde, who brings his business background and accounting skills to the business side of this endeavor.  The four multi-talents have built on an idea that began as a result of Thang and Chau’s inability to find, in Houston, enough of a selection of sustainable and responsible fashion, accessories & home products from independent designers that represented to them, quality, and not quantity.

They combed NYC markets, chatting with the individual designers, ensuring that they were representing in their store, not “fast fashion,” as Thang referred to it, but a slower, more reflective way of living and consuming that they feel is coming into its stride at this time.  “Their official mission is to bring precisely curated and expertly crafted works of style and beauty…especially from independent and responsible sources…into our patrons’ lives,” says Thang.

Vendors that you will find in this very tasteful den of simplicity and refinement are:  for apparel, Ace & Jig, DemyLee, LemLem, Rachel Comey, Samantha Pleet, Wren and many others. Many exclusive to M&S only in Houston. Jewelry is all handmade with the most popular being Kathleen Whitaker and Odette NYC, Sunglasses from Illesteva (designed in NY, handmade in Italy and faves of two other Houston-native sisters, Beyonce & Solange Knowles). Beauty, Shoes, Small Leather Goods, Books and Stationary are all represented, and a personal favorite of mine, in the Home Department, Three Dots Pots from Houston native and the tableware of choice at H-town’s hottest new restaurant, Oxheart.

Please drop in to meet and learn from this knowledgeable group, and experience the uniqueness and tranquility of designers that have not yet become household names. The feeling hits you the moment you walk through the door….an idea that you are experiencing something that you will find little of in our town.

Details:   Myth & Symbol Boutique; 2537 Times Blvd. in Rice Village; www.mythandsymbol.com.