by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Urban boutiquing has come a long way since Anomaly opened in Five Points here in Jacksonville. The fashion forward store carries some of the larger independent designers. Independent designers, who don’t always have the financing to mass-produce their goods, are typically found through word of mouth or by on-line shopping. The proprietor of Anomaly, Emily Moody, gets those interesting fashions under one roof (check out the Soundgirl line) so you don’t have to go hunting for them on-line. More importantly, you can try them on in the store rather than worrying whether or not a piece of clothing will fit after buying on-line. Anomaly’s selections of youthful, hip clothes are a stylish distraction from the main-line fashion at the local mall.
Moodys’ experience in the fashion industry began at trendy Fred Segal in L.A., where she managed the Emphatic. Since her position at Fred Segal, Moody has managed production, distribution and design assistance at TROO in Atlanta and served as production manager for local clothing company, KYDS.
As an independent designer herself, Moody has been creating a custom line of vintage purses, appropriately named HER Vintage, for about four years. The bags are made from authentic vintage fabrics found at estate sales and other vintage sources. They come in a variety of shapes, fabrics and patterns. If you desire, you can choose from fabrics and shapes to make your own custom bag, although Anomaly stocks a wide selection of ready made HER Vintage bags that can be purchased on the spot.
But Anomaly has done much more than just sell clothes. They’ve also been doing artist shows at night that are so in demand that Moody says that they are booked into ’07. She opened the store with her husband Adam Edgecombe in an effort to showcase local designers, but they’ve ended up showcasing art as much as they have clothing. Check out the walls while you’re there and you might find something from almost-already-made-it artist Shaun Thurston, who has done shows in Atlanta and all over Jacksonville.
Anomaly is also offering free craft classes through December. The first class, on October 8th, will feature crafting felt pins. “We’re…going to do either a mushroom a flower or an owl,” Moody says of their first class. Other classes will include handmade cards, basic knitting, flower clips, handmade presents and creative gift wrapping. No need to bring supplies, but if you have specific supplies you would like to share or bring, feel free to.
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