As America gets richer, areas far from the fashion strongholds of New York and Los Angeles are seeing demand for designer labels. One such city, Austin, has drawn luxury-goods retailers as its wealth and society circuit have grown.

All of this has spurred a backlash of sorts, as some local entrepreneurs pine for a return to the days when this liberal college town was referred to as the "blueberry in the tomato soup." This summer, a group of local businesses banded together to protest the tax incentives handed out to the new Domain complex.

Similarly, a few years ago, a different group of small businesses began circulating "Keep Austin Weird" bumper stickers. At Neiman's charity gala last March, 1,100 well-dressed young partygoers danced to local bands until midnight. Neiman's slogan for the evening: "Keep Austin Fabulous."