Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/557531
photography Courtesy of NeimaN marCus (WiNtour) and, ultimately, work the crowd that had assembled to see the musicians. "Music brings together all walks of life," he ref lects. "That was probably one of the best, most fun jobs I've ever had. It was a real education about relating to people and understanding them." He loved the music scene so much, he joined a punk rock band that toured the western US, a leap for someone who grew up listening to opera (and still is an aficionado of the musical form). Even though he has now hosted luncheons with Anna Wintour (whom he calls "incredibly gracious and witty") and shared eve- ning cocktails with Oscar de La Renta, that crash course in interpersonal relationships more than a decade ago is something that he looks back on fondly. In fact, Hendel says, the touring-with- a-band experience is not that far from what he's tasked to do as a Neiman Marcus GM: "What motivates me [today, as it did 10 years ago] is consistently exceeding customers' expectations." Austin's evolving style "Austin definitely has its own style; but it's [constantly] chang- ing," he says. "If you had asked me two years ago what it was, I would have told you something different than I'd tell you today. Just like the entire face of the city is changing." What he sees now from the front lines of Neiman's outpost at The Domain is what he describes as "Austin chic." "Many of our clients dress for a casual lifestyle during the day but love to dress up at night," he says, citing Brunello Cucinelli as one designer whose clothes align with Austin's dress code. Community involvement Although Hendel comes to face to face with "new" Austin every day as more people move here, he cares about the city's heart and heritage. He continues the Neiman Marcus tradition of support- ing local organizations like the Seton Breast Care Cancer Center, and he is a passionate patron of such performing arts organiza- tions as Austin Opera and Ballet Austin, as well as Preservation Austin. A huge fan of historic architecture, Hendel joined Preservation Austin to ensure the city maintains some semblance of identity while it undergoes such extreme development. "It's important that we save [the architecture] because it's the DNA around which Austin was formed," he says. "The organi- zation has done great work keeping the [iconic structures] around for the next generation. Otherwise, we'd just become some modern city [whose history would be] wiped out." He adds: "I didn't just want to work for Neiman's; I wanted to work for Neiman's in Austin." AW FAll Finds What excites Chris Hendel about the upcoming season "Folklorica was a standout on the runways: Think a global array of embroidery, patchwork, lace, and lots of fringe." "There are two very important colors for fall: The frst: full-bodied reds—crimson, carmine, claret, bordeaux. The other: winter whites—all shades of white, from cream to ivory." "The romanticism of the 1970s continues by way of fared legs, chunky heels, and the single-shoulder bag/ cross-body bag." Hendel with Anna Wintour and Jennifer Carnes, public relations manager at Neiman Marcus. Whether you're an avid viewer of K XAN's Studio 512 or have only a passing acquaintance with the Austin lifestyle show (weekdays at 12:30 pm), it's nearly impos- sible not to notice the perpetually on-trend shoes of host Amanda Tatom. While her footwear isn't always visible on camera, Tatom says that wearing a pair of heels makes a difference in her on-air attitude: "A great pair of shoes changes the way you stand, walk, carry yourself—and can even change the way you think. I find the world just a bit easier to navigate with a few extra inches under my feet." shop her fAll shoe Closet finds: "This little boot has a classic vibe but is also modern and cool with a touch of Western fair; perfect for a Texas girl who loves Hill Country sunsets but is also city-savvy." Suede ankle boots, Laurence Dacade ($995). Neiman Marcus, The Domain, 512-719-1200; neimanmarcus.com "I've lost my marbles over these marbled pumps. Equally as fabulous with a cocktail dress or jeans, a white tee, and a black leather jacket." Marbled So Kate pumps, Christian Louboutin ($745). Saks Fifth Avenue, North Star Mall, San Antonio, 210-341-4111; saks.com "The ideal transitional shoe for fall. Style-wise, it's the best of both worlds: The wedge heel gives you height, and the clear band across the toe creates the illusion of longer legs. These would be fabulous with a leather dress, a pencil skirt, or some cigarette-leg pants." Erika Naked wedge sandals, Alexander Wang ($575). Neiman Marcus, see above Sole Searching AmAndA tAtom, THE STYLISH HOST OF KXAN'S STUDIO 512, FINDS FALL'S TOE- TAPPING LOOKS. By JAne Kellogg murrAy Chevron Jacquard Long Cape, Piazza Sempione ($1045). 34 AUSTINWAY.com STYLE View from the Top