atelier and showroom for blackmail boutique
PRESS
Austin Monthly December 2011
Tribeza April 2011
Austin Monthly February 2011
L Style November/December 2010
Glossy Proprietor November 2010
Austin Chronicle November 5, 2011
Southern Living May 2010
Jewell Summer 2010
Rare Magazine February 2008
Elle Decor May 2006
City September 2005
Instyle September 2005
Brilliant August 2005
Austin American Statesman June 26, 2005
Austin Monthly June 2004
Elle May 2004
Texas Monthly May 2005
Home Companion April 2005
Lucky February 2004
Lucky November 2004
Sportswear International March 2004
WWDallas January 2004
Tribeza December 2002
Lucky March 2002
Push January 2002
Austin Monthly December 2011
Tribeza April 2011
Austin Monthly February 2011
L Style November/December 2010
Glossy Proprietor November 2010
Austin Chronicle November 5, 2011
Southern Living May 2010
Jewell Summer 2010
Rare Magazine February 2008
Elle Decor May 2006
City September 2005
Instyle September 2005
Brilliant August 2005
Austin American Statesman June 26, 2005
Austin Monthly June 2004
Elle May 2004
Texas Monthly May 2005
Home Companion April 2005
Lucky February 2004
Lucky November 2004
Sportswear International March 2004
WWDallas January 2004
Tribeza December 2002
Lucky March 2002
Push January 2002
BIO
"I was always a rebel. I didn't dress up my dolls as a kid; I was more likely to build a fort in the woods."
Born and raised in New Jersey, educated in Paris, Gail Chovan gave up a career in academia when she switched from French literature studies at the Sorbonne to clothing design at Esmod. She went on to work with other independent fashion designers in Paris, and eventually launched her own clothing line.
Returning to the States, Chovan opened her boutique, Blackmail, in 1997 and quickly became known for her avant garde style and award-winning window displays. The boutique/atelier occupies a mercantile storefront constructed in 1889; in it, Chovan has created a niche for herself that harkens to a different time and world view, with an appreciation for quality workmanship, non-industrialization, and the beauty found in imperfection.
Chovan is an actively engaged in the fashion business, not only as a designer–participating in Gen Art, and recently being awarded Best Fashion Designer in Austin–but also as an educator: she has been a mentor for the University of Texas Department of Textiles and Apparel for the past decade, and recently returned to the Sorbonne in Paris to teach a course in Fashion and Design. However, in her own design work and shows, Chovan refuses to adhere to the trends, rules, or calendar of the fashion industry.
Her clothing designs are recognized and collected worldwide by discerning customers who appreciate the artisanal approach of her couture, as well as the often-dark color palette. Her creations are produced on-site in the atelier, and are either limited edition pieces or one-of-a-kind works.
Gail Chovan lives and works in Austin, Texas with her husband, the artist Evan Voyles and their twin children: Creed & Zelda.
"I was always a rebel. I didn't dress up my dolls as a kid; I was more likely to build a fort in the woods."
Born and raised in New Jersey, educated in Paris, Gail Chovan gave up a career in academia when she switched from French literature studies at the Sorbonne to clothing design at Esmod. She went on to work with other independent fashion designers in Paris, and eventually launched her own clothing line.
Returning to the States, Chovan opened her boutique, Blackmail, in 1997 and quickly became known for her avant garde style and award-winning window displays. The boutique/atelier occupies a mercantile storefront constructed in 1889; in it, Chovan has created a niche for herself that harkens to a different time and world view, with an appreciation for quality workmanship, non-industrialization, and the beauty found in imperfection.
Chovan is an actively engaged in the fashion business, not only as a designer–participating in Gen Art, and recently being awarded Best Fashion Designer in Austin–but also as an educator: she has been a mentor for the University of Texas Department of Textiles and Apparel for the past decade, and recently returned to the Sorbonne in Paris to teach a course in Fashion and Design. However, in her own design work and shows, Chovan refuses to adhere to the trends, rules, or calendar of the fashion industry.
Her clothing designs are recognized and collected worldwide by discerning customers who appreciate the artisanal approach of her couture, as well as the often-dark color palette. Her creations are produced on-site in the atelier, and are either limited edition pieces or one-of-a-kind works.
Gail Chovan lives and works in Austin, Texas with her husband, the artist Evan Voyles and their twin children: Creed & Zelda.
