a Woman to watch

Kendra Scott celebrates International Women's Day with new watch collection and philanthropic foundation

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Today is International Women's Day, and jewelry icon and philanthropist Kendra Scott is celebrating as Kendra Scott does best — launching an all-new collection and announcing a new charitable foundation.

A component of the Austin Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3), the mission of the Kendra Scott Foundation is to empower women and youth in the areas of health and wellness, education, and entrepreneurship. According to a release, Kendra Scott started her brand with the intention of doing good first and selling jewelry second, a philanthropic mentality that has been embedded into every facet of the company. The Foundation will allow Kendra Scott to do even more good and serve as an overarching platform to deepen the brand’s investment in changing the lives of women and youth.

Scott has proudly donated more than $50 million to local, national, and international causes since 2010. Centering around the pillars of wellness, education, and entrepreneurship, Scott's philanthropic efforts include a commitment to breast cancer research through Yellow for Pink by Kendra Scott; a creative arts program for pediatric hospitals called Kendra Cares; support for educators and underserved students; and growing the next generation of women leaders through the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

“My intention when I started this business was always to do good first and sell jewelry second, and the launch of the Kendra Scott Foundation will allow us to continue to do just that for decades to come,” said Kendra Scott, Founder, Designer, and Executive Chairwoman of the brand via release. “I have always strived to use my talents to improve the lives of others, especially women who need to be connected to sources that will help them flourish. This is why the Kendra Scott Foundation was created and why we are so driven and inspired to expand our impact and reach even more women and youth each and every day.”

Also launching on March 8, the brand released a new collection of watches and watch bands to add to their 2022 timepiece collection. New additions include the Iridescent Stainless-Steel band, available in the Alex Link Watch Band, featuring subtle spring hues; a refresh of the best-selling Dira watch with an Iridescent Sunray face and featuring a diamond embedded within Kendra Scott’s iconic medallion logo; and the Filigree Leather Watch Band. Designed exclusively for Apple Watch®, the latter is crafted with genuine Italian leather in luxurious shades and features the brand's signature logo as a pattern on the band.

The new collection of watches and watch bands range from $138-$288, and are available at KendraScott.com and in retail stores nationwide.

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott sports a previous style of the best-selling Dira Watch, which has been updated with an Iridescent Sunray face for 2023.

UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

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