Great Scott

Austin jewelry icon Kendra Scott marks 20-year milestone with very exclusive collection

2022 marks 20 years in business for Kendra Scott.

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Austin entrepreneur, designer, Shark Tank guest shark, and philanthropist Kendra Scott is reaching a big milestone this year. After starting her jewelry business from home with just $500, the female founder marks two decades in business in 2022, and she's releasing a special collection to celebrate.

Nowadays, Kendra Scott is a household name, and customers of every age deem her chic, affordable accessories to be essential wardrobe staples. The hashtag #KendraScott trends every year during rush season for Greek societies at colleges across the country, with 131.3 million views to date.

”I am so proud of what my team and I have been able to create over the past 20 years at Kendra Scott," she tells CultureMap via email. "It’s incredible to see an idea that started in my spare bedroom turn into a fashion brand with over 2,600 employees and 130 stores nationwide. As a company comprised primarily of women, our core values of Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy are at the forefront of everything we do and have played a huge role in our success today."

Even 20 years later, Scott stays true to those core values of family, fashion, and philanthropy, giving back to local, national, and international organizations every year. To date, she has donated over $50 million in philanthropic efforts; partnered with over 10,000 local causes through the Kendra Gives Back program, virtually and in-person; funded over 6,000+ research hours dedicated to improving treatment and prevention of metastatic breast cancer; and raised over $475,000 to support families touched by tragedy in national and local disasters.

As part of celebrating 20 years in business, Scott is releasing a limited edition 20th Anniversary Collection for the holidays.

Kendra Scott 20th Anniversary Collection The extremely limited collection launches Friday, October 14.Courtesy of Kendra Scott

With just three styles, the special collection features a Dira gold diamond 38mm watch in ivory and mother-of-pearl ($8,995); the elegant Ellen 14K yellow gold drop earrings in white diamond ($4,500); and a delicate Dira 14K gold cushion pendant necklace with yellow lab-grown diamonds ($4,000). The extremely limited collection launches Friday, October 14, and will only have 20 pieces of each style available for purchase.

"I cannot wait for the next 20 years," Scott shared, "to continue to show up for our customers, support our communities, and create beautiful, timeless jewelry for all.”

Brunchy Business

Mimosa Walk returns to Austin's South 1st Street for sips and shopping

Blue Suede/Instagram

Businesses along South 1st Street are welcoming shoppers with mimosas on Saturday, November 16.

Perhaps no other drink has the mimosa's power to draw people out on the weekend, and one Austin neighborhood is harnessing it for a leisurely tour of local businesses. The Austin Mimosa Walk: South 1st Fall Festival is scheduled for November 16, and will stop at local businesses, each with complimentary drinks.

The tour will include some shopping, some casual snack spots, and even some wellness stops. Although not every business mimosa walkers will pass is participating, the tour will pass lots of local eateries, making it easy to tack on a lunch when the Champagne starts making itself known.

The following eight businesses are participating as stops on the self-guided tour:

Austin Salt Room — a spa-like environment for salt therapy, essentially hanging out near tons of salt while breathing in microscopic salt particles, which are said to improve respiratory health
Blue Suede Austin — a cool women's shoe boutique (with a wine bar!) that specializes in semi-casual styles at mid-range prices, featuring brands like Sam Edelman, Jeffrey Campbell, and Cecelia
Devil’s Details Boutique — formerly Bloomers and Frocks, this vintage shop has rebranded and shifted its focus to jewelry, often in bold and unique styles
Glint Dental — a dental office specializing in aesthetic procedures like veneers and whitening, but also offering general and preventative care
Golden Mean — early holiday shoppers should keep friends and family in mind at this gift shop, which carries unique goods ranging from soaps and blankets to kitchen goods and avant-garde decor.
Once Over Coffee— an unassuming-on-the-outside, artsy-on-the-inside coffee shop serving Wild Gift Coffee and less common coffee shop finds like kombucha and Italian soda
Package Austin — a queer menswear store for harnesses, underwear, accessories, toys, and community events
Sugar Mamas Bakeshop — a colorful bakery specializing in fantastically decorated cakes, often with a sarcastic or funny twist

The listing on Eventbrite promises a hydration station by Topo Chico, a collector's glass, and that the event will sell out. It requires that tickets ($32) be purchased in advance online. [Update: An event organizer says the ninth business on the Eventbrite list is still under construction, and will not be participating.]

The walk will take place from noon to 3:30 pm. Guests will receive a "passport" to help navigate between tour stops. A check-in tent will get guests started at 1628 S. 1st St.

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