Ooh la la

Royal-approved French fashion brand Sézane pops up on Austin's South Congress

Sézane will have a six-month run at Austin's Music Lane complex.

Photo courtesy of Sézane

Austin, say bonjour to Sézane. The popular Paris-based fashion brand has popped up for a limited time in the bustling Music Lane complex on South Congress Avenue.

Officially called L’Appartement Sézane Austin, the boutique debuted Friday, March 8, and will stay open for six months, until August, a spokeswoman says.

The 2,275-square-foot shop is showcasing never-before-seen pieces from the sustainability-focused brand's Spring Collection, as well as feminine blouses, sophisticated workwear separates, GOTS-certified denim, sweaters, footwear, vintage-inspired jewelry, and signature leather handbags, says a release.

Shoppers also can expect live performances by Austin artists, as well as events with local artisans, farmers, and florists throughout the boutique's tenure. Special Mother's Day plans are in the works, they say.

$S\u00e9zane$ Sweaters in every color.Photo courtesy of Sézane

If this all sounds like déjà vu, it's because Sézane also popped up in Austin in 2020. Sézanel'amour Austin.

"I've always admired and been attracted to the energy Austin radiates," says company founder and CEO Morgane Sezalory in the release. "This pop-up will be a homecoming of sorts, celebrating our shared passion for creativity, art, live music, and magical experiences that make us feel alive."

Sezalory founded Sézane in 2013, first selling vintage apparel from Paris on her website. As the company evolved and attracted investors from around the world, it's been able to keep close ties to European factories, which produce two-thirds of its collection, according to this profile in Glossy.

High-quality craftsmanship and a commitment to sustainability have helped Sézane attract a celebrity following that reportedly includes two of the biggest fashion queens on the planet: Taylor Swift and Catherine, Princess of Wales, a.k.a. Kate Middleton. (Swift is known to step out in comfy Sézane loafers, while the British royal is partial to the brand's ruffled blouses and vintage-inspired earrings.)

Despite the A+ -list clientele, the company still manages to keep prices relatively bourgeois, with most pieces priced under about $200.

$S\u00e9zane$ Could this be the beginning of a more permanent place in Austin?Photo courtesy of Sézane

But the brand can be a bit hard to find in the U.S., with just two permanent U.S. boutiques: its North American flagship in New York, which debuted in 2016, and a San Francisco location, which started as a pop-up in 2022 and was converted into a permanent space following its success.

Maybe two pop-ups in Austin could lead to a permanent presence here, too?

"Austin never fails to inspire me," Sezalory teases, "and it's a great pleasure to finally return to where our U.S. pop-up adventure truly began."

Sézane joins the buzzy lineup at Music Lane, which includes Equinox, Soho House, Aba, Hermes, and now, Face Foundrie, a new, all-inclusive facial bar offering services for brows, lashes, and skincare.

“These exciting new additions further solidify Music Lane's position as a sought-after destination for locals and visitors alike,” says Mallory Miller, director of marketing for Turnbridge Equities, the developer of Music Lane, in the release. “We are always redefining the experience to deliver concepts that provide our community with exciting and innovative offerings.”

Sézane is at 1011 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 130. Hours are 10 am to 7 pm Mondays through Saturdays, and 11 am to 6 pm Sundays.

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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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