Razzle Dazzle 'Em

Savvy shoppers sneak a peek at Kendra Scott's chic new South Congress flagship

The former yarn store has been completely renovated.Photo by Jared Tennant
Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, Kendra Scott, and Bumble Head of Brand Alex WilliamsonPhoto by Jared Tennant
Victoria Andreal and Tiffany Yang pose in front of the "Anything is Possible in ATX" mural.Photo by Jared Tennant
The spacious interior.Photo by Jared Tennant
The new SoCo flagship also features a cafe.Photo by Jared Tennant
Brittany Folgate, Leslie Fearka, Mackenzie White, Jane Anne Blount, Kat Kitchen, and Kelsey HagarPhoto by Jared Tennant
Kelly Wala and Alyssa Garcia.Photo by Jared Tennant
The new store's interior.Photo by Jared Tennant
Taylor Ellison, Robin Emmerich, and Lauren Petrowski.Photo by Jared Tennant
The UT Marching Band made a suprise appearance.Photo by Jared Tennant

What: Kendra Scott Flagship opening

Where: 1701 South Congress Ave.

The lowdown: Austin's own Kendra Scott is adding a new jewel to her crown. South Congress' former Hill Country Weavers has been transformed into the jewelry designer's new flagship, a modern, chic space designed to perfectly complement Scott's beautiful baubles and sought-after accessories.

In celebration of the new digs, the Austin designer hosted a decidedly Austin affair on November 15, complete with appetizers from Lamberts and Pure Luck Farm and Dairy, among others; sips from Tito's, Austin Beerworks, and Playa Real Tequila; and a surprise performance by the University of Texas Longhorn Band.

As the business moves beyond the gemstone earrings that made it famous, the new flagship is very much a representation of the new incarnation of the Kendra Scott brand, a business that has steadily grown over the past few years into home goods, gifts, and beauty. While the jewelry is still very much the main attraction, the new SoCo shop also features a colorful bar, cafe, and (heated) patio space.

During the party, guests milled about, snapping selfies in front of the Insta-worthy neon signs and the "Anything Can Happen in ATX" mural, all while DJ Nixx spun the tunes. In true Kendra Scott style, the evening ended with live music and a "unicorn-drawn" carriage.

Who: Whitney Wolfe Herd, Alex Williamson, Brittany Folgate, Leslie Fearka, Mackenzie White, Jane Anne Blount, Kat Kitchen, Kelsey Hagar, Kelly Wala, Alyssa Garcia, Steve Hicks, Garland Benson, Charlotte Benson, Taylor Ellison, Kayla Chance, Alex George, Chelsea Martin, and Rachel Holtin.

jewelry openings

Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes are now engaged. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Five-time Olympic medalist and social media powerhouse Gabby Thomas is sporting some new metal — an engagement ring from luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co.

Vogue magazine reported March 25 that Gabby's longtime boyfriend, Spencer McManes, 29, recently popped the question on the rooftop of a staycation rental in Travis Heights. The 28-year-old Thomas accepted the proposal. Thomas and McManes live together in Austin with their dog, Rico Thee Pug.

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The couple started dating in 2022, one year after she stumbled upon his pizza reviews on Instragram. “I’m a huge fan of pizza myself,” she tells Vogue. “I was like, ‘This looks like really good quality content.’”

Impressed by his pizza prowess, Thomas followed McManes on Instagram.

“I got the notification that I had a new follower. I was like, ‘That’s crazy! Gabby Thomas?’” he tells Vogue. “I immediately DM’d her and asked, ‘What did I do to earn a follow?’”

It wasn’t long before that Instagram follow led to love.

Four years after that initial Instagram encounter, Thomas’s best friend and a photographer witnessed the surprise proposal in a setting that overflowed with fresh flowers. “Oh my gosh, this is happening,” Thomas recalls thinking.

“Normally he’s very bad with surprises — and this was the one surprise I think I’ve ever witnessed him keep,” she tells Vogue.

Thomas, a world-class sprinter, earned three gold medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and one bronze medal and one silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Thomas has spun her golden success on the track into sponsorship deals with footwear and apparel brand New Balance, Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava, and smartwatch brand Amazfit.

Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and global health from Harvard University and a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Thomas and McManes get along despite the fact that he’s an alumnus of Yale University, an Ivy League archrival of Harvard.

McManes founded an Austin-based non-alcoholic seltzer brand called Kaviva. A former Yale football player, McManes competes for the Austin Huns Rugby Football Club, according to TMZ.

Right now, the newly engaged Thomas has little time to celebrate or plan her impending marriage. She kicks off her 2025 track-and-field season this weekend at the Texas Relays in Austin — where she may or may not be flashing her new bling.

celebrities olympics engagement

Razzle Dazzle 'Em

Savvy shoppers sneak a peek at Kendra Scott's chic new South Congress flagship

Razzle Dazzle 'Em

Savvy shoppers sneak a peek at Kendra Scott's chic new South Congress flagship

The Long Run

Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas gets engaged on Austin staycation

The Long Run

Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas gets engaged on Austin staycation