shop talk

In it to win it: PRIZE boutique could be Austin's answer to a one-stop, high-endgift shop

Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages

Back in July, a new gift and accessories boutique opened in the 2nd Street District, but you might not have known it. The original tinting on PRIZE's windows was so dark that potential customers kept passing by, unaware of its presence. Fast forward three months to when owner Lisa Bagby had the windows un-tinted and foot-traffic actually passing through the shop doors skyrocketed.

Owing to it's proximity to downtown hotels and business centers, PRIZE has become a hotspot for business travelers and tourists. But those who pick up a gift from this boutique won't be heading home with a kitschy coffee mug or embroidered t-shirt. Bagby spent more than a decade working in merchandising at the likes of Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie, Restoration Hardware and Bliss Spa. Thus, her taste has been carefully honed and her store nicely blends contemporary knick-knacks and homegoods with hip jewelry from up and coming designers based in other U.S. cities.

"We are a local business and have local lines, but really our main goal is to be unique and different, which means we sometimes have to source outside of Austin," she says.

Bagby and her team make frequent trips to trade shows around the country, seeking out both curious and sophisticated home and accessory items. But she won't buy just anything. On her most recent market trip to Manhattan, Bagby says she spent more time outside of the tradeshow and in Brooklyn searching for young, undiscovered artists whose lines were equally as impressive — but much more surprising.

Visit PRIZE today and you’ll find gold-plated, hammered jewelry by Sibilia, GoVino shatterproof wine glasses, beaded necklaces from the Maaisa tribe in Kenya, Nanadebary fragrances and a smattering of coffee table books, including Austin's own BEARD by Matthew Rainwaters.

Bagby is currently concentrating her efforts on expanding PRIZE’s merchandise into the kid's and men's markets. Once those areas are rounded out, PRIZE might possibly be the one-stop (high-end) gift shop for everyone on your list.

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Dior and More

3 major luxury fashion brands move into famous North Austin mall

Zimmermann/Instagram

Zimmermann is one of the new stores at The Domain.

Three major luxury brands are now open at The Domain: Balenciaga, Christian Dior, and Zimmermann. The famous Austin mall has been angling more toward luxury in the past few years.

Although it is common for The Domain to add multiple shops at once, these are unusually big names to be packaged together. This is also a significant development because although items from these brands may have been available around town, these three stores appear to be the only standalone stores for their respective brands in Austin.

A press release announcing the openings gives the most information about the Balenciaga store, which is 6,137 square feet and will carry men's and women's styles, shoes, bags, accessories, eyewear, and jewelry. The façade is made of a composite material combining glass, porcelain, and quartz, and the release says "the store’s construction is careful to respect existing elements," which is to say they did not completely rebuild the storefront. This store is located at Century Oaks Terrace and Agave Lane.

Dior will also feature collections for women and men, as envisioned by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Kim Jones, respectively. Dior emphasizes timelessness and is located next to Agave Park.

Finally, the store fewer Austinites might be familiar with: Zimmermann. The Australian brand is known for flouncy dresses, often in pastels and florals. Its ready-to-wear items are usually priced lower than ready-to-wear by Balenciaga or Dior, but it is still a luxury brand with luxury prices. It is located on Century Oaks Terrace.

Despite a stated interest in attracting luxury brands, the most talked-about development for The Domain in 2024 was a new location for Loro, the casual "Asian Smokehouse" by Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi. The mall is also welcomed a smaller Ikea store last year.