11 May Megan Summerville and the Fair Bra

Women have used a variety of garments and devices to cover, restrain, or modify the display and shape of their breasts. If you're a wiki bum like me, you'll know that it was reported in March of last year that Britney Spears does not wear a bra. If you're anything like me, you will also be saying to yourself, "there goes another perfectly good brain cell."  

Did you know, however, that there at least 184 sizes of bra in Austin right now? Even if we take into account two kittens per corral, I would not have guessed even 92.

But Austin's very own Megan Summerville has that many to offer in the "Fair Bra" (that's my name for it, you may use it with royalties). And you can check them out in her new little boutique off of 3rd Street behind Moonshine called Cypress Vanguard.

Her collection – which is my fascination – includes pieces that are made with refurbished antique fabrics.  Not T-bird-vintage. Model-T-antique. Like her oldest being a cotton lace from the 1880's.  You want to talk about organic cotton, how about fabric made from "organic" crops long ago when the word organic meant basically 'things that contained organs'.  She also has a line of corsets made from vintage kimono fabrics.

Megan is the typical fashion success story of failure and triumph.  She and her mother had to close their factory, Sew Sisters, in North Austin a couple of years ago in the poor economy.  She has well made up for it by winning the Texas Top Designer prize, and more recently the Love a Local Business grant that brought in some capital for her to open her shop.

After Megan won the grant, she opened Cypress Vanguard and welcomed other small and independent designers to help them get noticed and coop the experience.  At the moment she sews all of her custom orders herself, but fortunately has enough stock from her own factory to fill out inventory.  Megan's favorite quote goes something like this: If you're the only one wearing a fur coat you are going to be having fun by yourself.  I'll add – unless PETA shows up, and then they may have more fun than you.   

The other designers she has in the shop are just as interesting (and I'm sure you'll hear about in the future from me) and aside from the cuteness that is within, you can grab a coffee or hang in their lovely back yard.  I at least recommend stopping by and checking out what bra size you are.  I have a feeling that she'll be able to tell you.

Cypress Vanguard
303 E 3rd Street, 78701

http://www.sewsister.com