by Sloan Looney
Ashley Montgomery Lyon and Deborah Montgomery's studio immediately captivates the eye. It is convoluted in character, intricately involved and ornately adorned. Jewelry of all mediums, designs and pieces in unexpectedly enticing color combinations line the tables. In perfect cohesion with the bejeweled display is the name of the mother-daughter combo’s flourishing profession, Beyond Baroque. However, the name originated not from the time period, known for it's lavish décor, but from their initial jewelry pieces designed of “Baroque” pearls when Ashley spontaneously decided to re-piece together broken pearls that Deborah had imported from China and as Ashley says, "the rest is history". Twelve years later she designs while Deborah acts as the business manager of the operation.
However, there is nothing ostentatious or showy about Beyond Baroque's designs. In fact, amidst the abounding pieces of natural gemstones, vintage chains and brooches, oxidized sterling and 14k gold-filled wire and components, there's something overwhelmingly welcoming and kind when you walk through the front door. The antiquated home, nestled just south of Highland Park, fronts as their workshop and display case, with its hardwood floors, multi-colored walls and all-encompassing homey feel. The color palettes of the jewelry certainly adds to the warmth but it’s the duo's presence that epitomizes exactly what Beyond Baroque stands for – a stylish, colorful and modern jewelry collection perfectly combined with an age-old personal and intimate mother-daughter feel.
Ashley describes the various vintage components combined with her own creative vision of modern stones as a differentiating factor between Beyond Baroque and other designers, as it results in one-of-a-kind pieces. While this holds true, much of Ashley’s focus also centers their capability to repeatedly see the same customers, which creates a very personal approach as she and Deborah do all of their own selling. The team is even known to talk a customer out of something similar to a past purchase, encouraging personal collections to evolve and change over the years. And as those collections enhance and grow, so do their ongoing clientele relationships. Beyond Baroque initially catered and still caters to well-dressed, stylish Dallas women looking for unique, statement pieces. The word (and the business) have spread to relationships much like Ashley and Deborah’s, as mothers started buying for their daughters. Ashley states, “They love the fact that we are mother and daughter and trust our opinions to buy for themselves and for gifts. We have jewelry fit for women of all ages”.
The friendship both women develop with their client-base undeniably stands out, but it’s something even deeper that really sets Beyond Baroque apart. Ashley and Deborah’s loyalty and trust in each other resonates within each facet of their business. Ashely says, “My mom has complete faith in my vision. Yes, I design but she does everything else. She started the business and we wouldn’t be here if she didn't oversee every aspect of it. We are a true partnership and a relationship that is rare for mothers and daughters”. And thus, in an era of franchised shops and over-populated, impersonal malls, it is these two women’s subtle, yet devoted interactions that provide for such a positive experience. Amongst an elaborate sea of vintage chains, beautiful vintage crosses and brooches modernized by pieces such as chunky turquoise or candy opal statement pieces, Ashley and Deborah’s own relationship makes customers feel like they’re at home.
Beyond Baroque has been featured in Lucky Magazine and worn by celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Jean Smart, Ali Landry and Faith Hill. Ashley and Deborah also showcased Beyond Baroque at last year’s Emmy Awards Style Lounge. Earrings purchased and worn by Kara DioGiuardi in the 2009 season of American Idol launched an entire collection.
For more information on Beyond Baroque, go to www.beyondbaroque.com or call (214) 521-0036 to set up an appointment.
