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1983 - Connie and Roy, founders
FOUNDERS.

Roy A Fredericks (view bio) and Connie Strang founded Avant Garde in 1983 in Austin Texas. Their vision was to have the ultimate hair salon in Austin - a company where excellence and impeccable service are the standards. A relaxed atmosphere with an energy level that can only be associated with progressive work in action. Avant was positioned to be the salon at the cutting edge of fashion.

Since then both Austin and Avant have had phenomenal growth. Avant has grown from one salon to three Salons and one Spa as well as a Photography Studio.

In 20 years Avant has ten times been voted "Best Salon in Austin", selected as one of the "Top 200 Salons" by Salon Today Magazine three times, featured in Harpers Bazaar and Elle as one of the Best salons in the Southwest, featured and published in American Salon, Modern Salon Magazine, and Salon Today.

Avant's clients have included Nastassja Kinski, John Voight, Don Henley, David Byrne, Kelly Willis, Lucinda Williams, Rosie Flores, Shawn Colvin, Charlie and Will Sexton to name just a few.

Avant's educators train all around the globe and have been featured at USA top Educational events including American Excellence, Serious Business, Midwest Beauty Show, Aveda Congress.

As a fully computerized salon since day one, Avant was the first Hair Salon internationally, to see the potential of the Internet and create a web presence, http://www.salon.net

Avant Garde is Austin's original Aveda salon. Together with other local Aveda salons Avant has raised over $30.000 for local environmental groups over the last three years.

1989, we moved our original Avant Salon to 34th and Guadalupe, in the heart of UT / Hyde Park area.

1996, we expanded our vision of adding value to our customers with the opening of our second location, a full service Aveda Aromatherapy Spa. Avant Garde SalonSpa is located at 360 and Mopac in the Gateway Shopping center, across from Whole Foods.

1998, we opened a MultiMedia/Photo Studio www.avantphotostudio.com This year we also trademarked Avant Garde!

1999, the year Avant Creative Education..ie; A.C.E becomes Austin's first Advanced Training Academy. Focusing on the development of Avant's  Protégés.

2000, we expanded to a third location Avant Garde StudioSalon located downtown on the corner of 4th and Colorado. Next to Imperia, across from Trulucks, on the most desirable corner in Austin! 

2003 we expanded our Spa to 5000 square feet!

2006, Avant Creative Education becomes Certified by  Texas as an Advanced Training Center. A.C.E becomes a regional university specializing in Fashion, Photography, Hair, and the Biz.

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