Houston's newest boutique, Myth + Symbol, was conceived more than a year ago by sisters Chau Nguyen (left) and Trang Nguyen (right), who were frustrated with the inability to find items from their favorite designers in their hometown.
They set out to do something about it, partnering with Roque Strew, Chau's husband and the assistant director of alumni communications for Rice University; and their high school friend Ameet Gaitonde, a former accountant.
Each brought a unique strength to the effort, which opened with a soft launch last weekend, to bring "precisely curated and expertly crafted works of style and beauty — especially from independent and responsible sources" to Houstonians.
Rice Village wasn't the group's first choice of location, but after spending some time with their friends at The Class Room, and recognizing the pedestrian-friendly and community-centric aspects of the area, they decided to move into a retail location at 2537 Times Boulevard.
Myth + Symbol will be open all week leading up to a grand opening party on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with drinks, music and small bites.
Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Myth + Symbol sources jewelry that is made by hand in the United States — organic pieces from Odette New York, simple graphic statements from Fay Andrada and one-of-a-kind statement necklaces made of vintage beads from Austin artist Alyson Fox.
A small paper goods section boasts designs by Gold Teeth Brooklyn and more.
The shop's summer line includes clothing from Ace & Jig, Samantha Pleet, Dace Clothing, DUSEN DUSEN and Feral Child, and shoes from Ariana Bohling.
Later this month, shipments of footwear will arrive from Dieppa Restrepo and Rachel Comey.
The Myth + Symbol team wants to create a narrative for each item, so that buyers can know each designer's intentions and inspirations.
Scents by MCMC Fragrances line shelves, and sunglasses by Illesteva top a find from The Guild Shop.
A workshop table holds socks from Hansel from Basel, home textiles by Fog Linen, shopping bags from Baggu and ceramics from local artist Steve Campbell of Three DOT Pots.
Chau, an art teacher at Klein High School, hopes to eventually host workshops on arts and crafts, from screenprinting to watercolors to knitting, in the space.
The team spent days hand-dying over 7,000 feet of rope, and labored for two weeks in the assembly of woven dressing room dividers.
Small-run, independent magazines, journals and art books line library shelves along the back wall, including McSweeney's Lucky Peach magazine, the Living Things Series from Little Otsu, Plant Journal and more. Lula, Acne Paper and Apartamento are soon to come.
