Apart from her iconic jewelry designs, Texas fashion mogul Kendra Scott is known for two things: awesome collaborations and giving back. Her latest collection blends all three, teaming up with fellow female fashion icon, Barbie, on a line of exclusive designs that give back to a cause.
Launching Wednesday, November 16, the six-piece Barbie x Kendra Scott capsule draws inspiration from fashion, friendship, and being a force for good. The collaboration comes as both brands celebrate big anniversaries, 20 years for Scott and 60 for Barbie Dreamhouse.
Highlights of the collection include two necklaces in elevated plating, two bracelets, and two pairs of earrings — all in hot pink Barbie hues and all featuring the craftsmanship and attention to detail Kendra Scott customers know and love. Reinventing the brand's signature silhouette, the versatile Barbie x Kendra Scott gold Elisa multi strand necklace features a double sided design, as does the Barbie x Kendra Scott chain necklace, which is perfect for layering or as its own statement piece.
The versatile Barbie x Kendra Scott gold Elisa multi strand necklace features a double sided design.Courtesy of Kendra Scott
For ear candy, the Barbie x Kendra Scott gold statement earrings are just that, adorned with new hot pink drusy and high-shine stones. Hoop lovers will hop straight to the Barbie x Kendra Scott gold huggie earrings, where pink opal adds a pop of color to the sophisticated-yet-playful design. Meanwhile, the Barbie x Kendra Scott gold delicate chain bracelet is minimal, yet attention-grabbing with pink crystal baguette stones.
As for the giving back, Scott will donate 20 percent of every purchase of the Barbie x Kendra Everlyne friendship bracelet to the Barbie Dream Gap Project. Created to raise awareness around limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential, the brand's global initiative supports Girls Inc. in its mission to empower a new generation of leaders. In collaboration with global charitable organizations, the initiative provides resources, curriculum, skills development, and leadership opportunities to girls between the ages of 5 and 10.
“Barbie™ x Kendra Scott draws from a desire to help women feel confident, powerful, and capable of anything that we set our minds to. Growing up, Barbie taught me that beauty comes in many forms, and most importantly, to pursue my passions,” said Kendra Scott, founder, designer, and executive chairwoman of the brand, in a release. “I’m so proud to partner together on a collection that celebrates both fashion and philanthropy so we can continue to inspire the next generation of girls to dream even bigger.”
Prices range from $65-$198, and the limited-edition Barbie x Kendra Scott collection will be available at Kendra Scott retail stores and online.
Local fans of the preppy-chic prints of Austin-based designer Katie Kimewill be happy to know the brand is making its Fort Worth debut at a pop-up opening in time for early holiday season shopping.
Debuting on Friday, September 30, the 2,500-square-foot pop-up store at The Shops at Clearfork will feature home décor and curated wares, limited-edition prints, and loads of Kime’s popular Fort Worth toile.
The distinctive pattern features images of the Fort Worth Stockyards, Bass Hall, Billy Bob’s Texas, and the downtown skyline with Trinity River, along with horned frogs, cowboys, and cowgirls. The toile is available on everything from wallpaper and plates to notecards and phone cases; prices start about $18.
A new Fort Worth toile robe ($118) and pajama set ($118) in white and purple print – a nod to the home team, TCU – will be exclusive to the store.
“When looking for our ideal holiday store market, Fort Worth was a top choice,” said Kime in a statement. “Not only has its own toile been one of our best-sellers, but there is also something about the (cow)town that has such a unique appeal even amongst the large Texas landscape of desirable destinations.”
For those unfamiliar with the designer, Katie Kime launched her eponymous brand in 2013 in Austin and describes it as "traditional wares meet colorful, modern prints." Her website calls it "a bold, print-based lifestyle brand inspired by Katie's own spirited approach to dressing both herself and her home. Her singular style – think preppy chic goes globe-trotting – is noted for Southern sensibility with global influences."
Her signature "city toiles" depict places from Nashville to New York to Marfa.
The pop-up will be open through the holidays.Photo courtesy of Katie Kime
Located at 5229 Monahans Ave. (between Mizzen + Main and Tiffany & Co.), the Clearfork store will offer on-site monogramming and a custom oxford button-down shirt shop with options of adding various collegiate lettering. During opening week, every purchase will receive a complimentary embroidery at the store.
The store also will host weekly events and classes, and customers can sign up to receive details as they’re scheduled.
According to the shopping center, Katie Kime will be open 10 am-7 pm Monday-Thursday, 10- am-8 pm Friday-Saturday, and 12-6 pm Sunday. It will stay open through the holidays.
What do Guiding Light, Bye Bye Birdie, and Oleanna all have in common? Arlington-raised actor, director, and producer Ryan Brown, who is one-half of Sweet Apple Productions with Jennifer Bangs.
Brown and Bangs first met at Shackelford Junior High School, where Bangs played Kim and Brown played Hugo in the school musical about an Elvis-type singer who visits a small town — that's where the name Sweet Apple comes from. Coincidentally, Brown is also the son of best-selling romance and thriller author Sandra Brown, who still resides in Arlington.
"I had such a crush on him in school, but we were never really that close," confesses Bangs.
Ryan Brown went on to book featured roles in two soap operas, Guiding Light and The Young and The Restless, while Bangs wrote, produced, and performed in two successful solo shows and still hosts a podcast.
The pair reconnected in New York City during the pandemic, thanks to a Facebook friend suggestion, and began a production company producing music videos and filmed podcasts. In the last 18 months, both found themselves back in Dallas-Fort Worth and ready for a new challenge.
"We thought, 'why not continue this partnership and expand into theater?'" says Brown.
Their first production is David Mamet's Oleanna, which runs March 30-April 2 in Stage West's performance space in Fort Worth.
The 1992 two-character play is a power struggle between a college professor and one of his female students, who accuses him of sexual harassment. Brown plays the professor, and Bangs directs.
"I studied film and drama at OU in the early ‘90s, and OU did the show while he was there," says Brown. "It was a new play at the time and its script really spoke to me. But what impressed me almost as much as the show was the talkback after — I had never seen an audience have such a visceral reaction, or be so split down the middle about whose 'side' to take. I thought how I’d love to do this play, but it’s an old guy and college-age girl — 30 years later, I guess I've aged into the role."
At the time of Oleanna's debut, America was glued to the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings. Now, the #MeToo movement has gathered steam, Harvey Weinstein is in jail for sexual abuse, and former President Donald Trump is supposedly about to be indicted for his illegal payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
"It struck me as odd that Mamet, who just last year wrote a short story objecting to social media moderation of right-wing politicians like Donald Trump, decided to tackle a subject like this," says Brown. "And even more interesting, he didn't take a stance with this play. The ending doesn't declare who is right or wrong."
Bangs points out that Mamet has now banned talkbacks from his plays. To help audience members who may want their opinions to still be heard, the Sweet Apple website has a section titled "Which Side Did You Take?" that leads to a poll. (Interesting side note: A popular tagline for the play is "Whatever side you take, you're wrong.")
"On one hand he’s an artist creating something, and on the other hand he's censoring it," Bangs reflects. "We're all watching the same thing play out in real time, but it's fascinating how differently everyone sees it."
There are no immediate plans to announce a full season, but Brown and Bangs say they are already eyeing their next possible production.
"We're considering doing Children of a Lesser God, and would be really excited to work with the local deaf community and actors who sign," says Bangs.
"It's another play that's on my bucket list," says Brown. "What really pushed us to explore it was receiving a self-tape from a deaf actor who signed her audition for Oleanna. We've already been speaking to her about the possibility of working with us, and it's really something we want to explore."
Another reason to hold off on an official season is that the duo don't want Sweet Apple Productions to be limited to theater.
"We're presenting ourselves as an alternative production company," says Bangs. "When COVID hit, everything shut down but we did not. We want to continue making art no matter what."
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Tickets for Oleanna range from $25-$35 and can be purchased here.
Sweet Apple Productions presents Oleanna March 30-April 2.
