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You can now buy earrings designed by UT students at Kendra Scott
Austin-based jewelry empire Kendra Scott is now selling earrings designed by University of Texas students in The Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute.
(Kendra Scott)
Students in the Textiles and Apparel Design program teamed up to create potential Kendra Scott pieces aimed toward Gen Z, or younger, consumers. According to UT, more than 5,000 people voted online to pick the winning design.
The winning team, comprised of Anita Ghamarian, Tianjie Pei, Julia Sotelo, Sara Kopenec and Pinar Sarilar, named the earrings Ciarla in honor of the creator and instructor of the course, Jessica Ciarla.
In an interview with the UT College of Natural Sciences, recent Textiles and Apparel Design graduate Ghamarian said that the final designs included pastels, astrological symbols and other trendy elements seen on social media.
"We really wanted to get into the mindset of the Gen Z individual, so we went to where they spend the most time: social media," Ghamarian said.
The accessory design, development and merchandising course is offered as part of the Kendra Scott Women Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute. The course was first offered in the spring.
The earring set retails for $78 and is available online and in stores with 20% of the proceeds going back to The Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, according to the Kendra Scott website.
More on Kendra Scott:
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- Kendra Scott debuts men's jewelry, teasing Austin FC collection - austonia ›
- Who is Gen Z? Zoomers flock to Austin, ditching their 9-5 in pursuit of passion - austonia ›
- Austin's Kendra Scott announces release date of first memoir - austonia ›
Popular
(Austin FC/Twitter)
Even with the sudden absence of its first Designated Player, Austin FC broke through with a 1-0 victory to Minnesota United at its home fortress, Q2 Stadium, on Sunday evening.
The win marks the club's third of the season, and the Verde and Black are now fourth in the MLS West with a 3-2-1 overall record.
Here are the top three takeaways from the match:
Building a fortress
Austin you know what this means. 🕺 pic.twitter.com/VQ3gJHvt1D
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) April 11, 2022
It had been a few weeks since the ten-goal frenzy that set Austin FC's second season into motion—and after two straight draws and a loss, a bit of sluggishness seemed to return to some of the Austin roster and fanbase.
After a first half that some unnamed (and unamused) writers in the press box labeled the "most boring half of soccer" they'd seen, Austin FC's hard work pulled through in a solid second half, capped by another gorgeous Urruti goal, to solidify the win.
From its "Building The Legend" motto to direct quotes from players and head coach Josh Wolff, Austin has long promised to build a steadfast fortress at Q2 Stadium. And they've pulled it off so far—the club is 7-1-1 in its last nine home matches, and all three of Austin's wins this season have been played inside Q2's walls.
This week, MLS contributor Ari Liljenwall wrote that the stadium is "among the league's most challenging venues for visiting teams," and it has a famed roaring crowd to boot. Thanks to everyone from ardent "La Murga de Austin" band members to everyday fans, Q2 Stadium has had a 20,500-strong crowd for 21 straight weeks and has held the longest streak of sold-out matches in MLS for several weeks straight.
If the club continues to establish dominance at home, it won't be long before the Austin stadium strikes fear (or envy, or both?) in opposing teams for seasons to come.
Life without Ceci
Dominguez will miss today's match due to a pending MLS investigation for possible "off-field misconduct." https://t.co/VtF8fsWlNC
— Austonia (@austonianews) April 10, 2022
It's been two games now without Austin FC's first Designated Player, Cecilio Dominguez, and there may be many more matches without him ahead.
One of Austin's most consistent starters, Dominguez has been absent for the lineup for two very different reasons. On Thursday, the winger celebrated obtaining his green card after taking a trip to Paraguay last week; by Friday, he was announced as suspended indefinitely from the Verde and Black roster pending an investigation into "possible off-field misconduct."
MLS and the club have been unclear about what alleged misconduct occurred or how long this could take, but one thing is clear: Austin FC will need to learn how to operate without one of its key players.
Dominguez tied for the most goals scored last season and was on track to do so once more, scoring twice in his five matches played.
Just after he seemed to finally master the club's strongest—and fullest—lineup to date, head coach Josh Wolff has some tinkering to do, and he'll likely need to rethink at least some of his team's offensive strategy.
Luckily, Austin's roster is in tip-top shape. And the club doesn't seem to have lost any of its mojo so far, pulling off a win and an admittedly lackluster draw in his absence. The key will likely come in the form of striker Maxi Urruti, who has scored two of Austin's three goals in that time frame, and Ethan Finlay, the veteran crossing guru who will step up in Dominguez's spot at the wing.
A true striker emerges
Maxi doesn't forgive. 👏 pic.twitter.com/JuL0XcLacJ
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) April 11, 2022
For the second match in a row, Austin FC's Maxi Urruti was able to pull out his signature archer post-goal celebration with another highlight reel-worthy goal to help win the match.
Urruti's savvy one-touch shot edged Austin FC over its opponent. And after months—and entire seasons—without a clear striker for the team, he seems ready to fill those long-missing shoes.
With the latest goal, Urruti has racked up two goals and an assist in five starts with the team. He's been impactful both on and off the stat board, supporting fellow goalscorers Sebastian Driussi, Ethan Finlay and Diego Fagundez up front as well.
And if he keeps this momentum, he'll be vital to the team both before and after the Dominguez investigation and could become a fixture to Austin's ever-improving offensive line.
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(Tito's Handmade Vodka)
How'd we get to 25 years?
Sure, we make smooth vodka. But it's because of folks like you who told our story, and never stopped telling it. The folks who keep Tito's on their bar cart and call our limited-edition 25th anniversary bottle a collector's item. Who order a Tito's Soda Lime at happy hour. And who sip Tito's cocktails for moments worth celebrating.
We couldn't have done it without you. So, raise a glass.
Here’s to our hometown. This one’s for you, Austin.
Cheers,
Tito's