A few facts designer, author, and television host Mark Montano isn’t likely to divulge, even while relaxing on an over-sized couch in the back of Shockoe Bottom’s eclectic boutique, House of Lukaya:
He’s the youngest member yet to be inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America. His debut fashion show was the subject of a 1999 PBS documentary, and networks as diverse as Fox News, Lifetime Channel, and Travel Channel have featured his whimsical yet elegant designs. He counts movie and rock stars among his clients. Though he doesn’t bring it up, I finally ask about the afternoon he delivered a birthday gift to Oscar de la Renta and was invited by the Dominican fashion icon to work for him. It was that day at age 19, Mark says, “I made a decision that everyday would enhance who I was and advance my career.” He soon opened a boutique that still thrives under a flamingo-colored awning in New York City’s East Village. He spent more than twenty years in the industry achieving accolades only a few designers enjoy. “I miss fashion,” he admits. “But not enough to go back.”
Professional contentment is understandable, even as Mark’s goals and vision flourish. For the Colorado native who values family and friends above all, entry from the world of fashion into functional and funky homes suits him fine. Author of five books and host to his fourth television show, WE Network’s “She’s Moving In,” his newest book is “The Big-Ass Book of Crafts,” published by Simon & Schuster. In spite of its cheeky title, Mark’s book instructs readers how to make a house a home.
“Think about what you use and do every day,” he encourages. “Is it homeworthy? Do you love it? Does it serve a purpose? Does it make you happy?” Mark emphasizes the importance of making one’s home a soothing respite from the stress of world and work. He ought to know. On break from filming, he’s been on the road promoting his book. This morning he woke at 5:30 AM to fly to Richmond for a book signing and to help plan a breast cancer benefit. But he resists fatigue. “If you have the drive, have the ambition, if you set goals, work hard, you can have the life you want, no excuses.”
Although today Mark has homes in LA and New York, he grew up in the small town of La Junta, Colorado in a close family with five younger brothers. Yet he sought a creative outlet. Fashion provided “an escape, more than anything. You’re fourteen and you open a fashion magazine. You realize there’s this whole world out there.” He frequently plays host to his thirteen nephews and nieces. “They’re a blast. They don’t get to watch TV at my house. We make stuff. I just put love and friendship and family above anything. Anything that is worth anything in this world is not tangible, period. No Louis Vuitton bag, no new pair of shoes is going to make a difference in your life. People who love you and respect you, people you can laugh with and depend on, have meals with, those are the things that really make life worth living and interesting.”
Mark discovered Richmond only a few years ago, when restoration specialists and owners of Tinker’s, 2409 Westwood Avenue, invited him to visit. He says, “I just really like it here. [Richmond has] really good restaurants. I love the Jefferson. I love Can Can. I love the thrift stores.” His newest local favorite is House of Lukaya. About owner Lucretia Jones, Mark says, “I see a kindred spirit. I think she’s awesome. She appreciates color and she’s got her fingers in a lot of things. She’s a creative soul. There’s a place for beautiful, colorful things from every culture everywhere, even in the architecturally pristine and beautiful Richmond.”
As Mark poses for photos, Keelyn Ellis strolls down the sidewalk. “The store caught my eye from the street,” he says after entering to browse. Ellis, 23, is a songwriter from Memphis visiting Richmond for the first time. “I’m into fashion. I love the craft. I love the art. This store has art, fashion, sewing, all in one.”
“The Big-Ass Book of Crafts” is just as inclusive, and Mark promises to assist anyone. “I’m accessible. I absolutely get back with everybody. It’s my job. If I’m going to be responsible for the information I put out in the world, I want to be responsible to people that if they have a question about it, I will help them figure it out.”
Mark enjoys his career, while figuring out his future. “This is the first time in my life I haven’t known what’s next. I want to see if I can possibly land my own show, where it’s focused on who I am and how I live my life, where I can say, ‘This is what makes me feel good. I hope you like it.’ Perhaps you’ll be able to take this idea and make it yours.”