Owatonna meets Beyoncé While growing up in Owatonna, Scott Nylund would draw women in fabulous gowns. As an art major at Luther College in Iowa, he continued to put them on his figure drawings. So he went to New York and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Now, at 32, he's been Tina Knowles' "right-hand man" in the design business that generates many of her daughter Beyoncé's dresses and their clothing lines.
Owatonna meets Beyoncé
By Sara Glassman, Star Tribune
July 29, 2009 at 6:40PM
An August exhibit of "An Evolution of Illustration" at the Owatonna Arts Center traces Nylund's work from the early drawings in 1989 to the full-out fashion illustrations he does now. He called in while in town to put the show together.
Q How did you start working with Beyond Productions (co-owned by Tina and Beyoncé Knowles)?
A I got a call to come in and meet with them. I was so excited about meeting Tina Knowles that I prepared a project. We hit it off right away. They offered me an assistant design position before anyone else was hired. Because I've been able to work with them the most [over the past five years], they've become comfortable with my aesthetic. Now I'm the design director. It's wonderful. As Tina would say, I'm her eyes and her ears.
Q What does a design director do?
A [Tina] will start us with a color palette such as red, gray, white and black and we'll fill in the rest. Or she'll come back from London inspired by the English countryside and lion's head door knockers. So we'll go find fabric, inspiration illustrations. Being a director is like being a choir director: You make sure the cellos and violins are playing the same note at the same time -- coordinated and cohesive.
Q Were you involved with Destiny's Child at all?
A I was part of the Destiny Fulfilled tour. It was one of the most amazing times. They were just starting to talk about [Knowles' label] House of Dereon's part in that. We went from song to song. My notebooks from that experience will be on display in the exhibit.
Q Craziest thing you did for that?
A The day before the tour started in Japan, we switched the color of her pants. I had to spend 24 hours gluing all these crystals on. When I saw them onstage, I had a crying moment, because this is exactly what I should be doing right now. I'm so blessed. I have many moments when I have to pinch myself.
Q What's the goal with the exhibit?
A I want kids to see the evolution. There will be illustrations, five or six dresses Beyoncé wore, dresses from my Luther College show and one or two wedding dresses that I've done. It's a testament to education.
Sales and events On Friday, enjoy a day of fashion beauty at Kohl's (7931 Southtown Center, Bloomington, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). There will be a fashion show at 2:30 p.m. featuring Simply Vera Vera Wang, Dana Buchman and Chaps, along with free beauty consultations with American Beauty, GoodSkin, Flirt! and GrassRoots Research Labs, prize drawings and other fun surprises. Drop by or reserve a slot by calling 952-881-8861.
It's back-to-school and fall preview sale time at Albertville Premium Outlets (6415 Labeaux Av. NE., Albertville, Minn., 763-497-1911, www.premiumoutlets.com/albertville). Through Monday, get extra savings on top of everyday discounts of 25 to 65 percent. Also, look for new stores popping up at the center this fall: Charlotte Russe and Chico's will open in October.
At Elsworth (811 LaSalle Av. S., skyway level, Mpls, 612-339-0763), men can now get stylish spring and summer merchandise at 50 to 70 percent off. Also, receive an additional 50 percent off one clearance item with the purchase of a regularly priced item.
Tonight, head to 50th and France for Ladies' Night Out. There will be sales and parties at many of the stores, including Bumbershute (5014 France Av. S., Edina, 952-475-2684, 4 to 7 p.m.). There will be models in fall designs, discounts of 50 to 70 percent off spring and summer clothes, an SBG Designs jewelry trunk show, treats and gifts. While in the area, stop by Il Vostro (5045 France Av. S., Mpls, 612-920-3167). Store owner Stacey Finnegan has decided to close shop on Aug. 14.
At 6 p.m. Friday in Minneapolis' Chute Park, dogs will have their day during the annual North East Dog Parade. From Friday through Sunday, shop summer sidewalk sales in the St. Anthony Falls neighborhood, including Parc Boutique (328 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-353-4966). Get 30 to 70 percent off BB Dakota, Krisa, Velvet, Miss Me, Gypsy 05, 7 Diamonds, Tankfarm and more.
Also on Friday, the Treasured Chests Gala (Epic, 110 N. 5th St., Mpls., www.treasuredchests.org) will raise money for breast cancer education, awareness and research. The event will feature a fashion show that includes lingerie from Flirt.
Style Star Teri Anvid
Spotted at: Art show at Barbette.
What to wear to an art opening isn't a difficult question for Teri Anvid. As curator of the recent show at Barbette with artists Aaron Brand, Laura Hallen and Angie Berthelot, she knows this scene -- and it shows. Her stellar outfit also reflected local design. She wore an Emily Weich top from Cliché, Max Lohrbach shorts from Design Collective and BCBG shoes from Nordstrom. She gets her sassy short haircut done at Olive Salon in Minneapolis. The art exhibit will be on display through Sept. 4.
