Local designer David Hawkins with his three children, Wyatt, Ruby and Jesse, opened The Skull & Crown this month. The boutique is located around the corner from Mansfield Dam toward Lakeway and offers a host of sought-after brands.
By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
David Hawkins — a former designer to Hollywood stars who lives in Steiner Ranch — opened a new clothing and lifestyle store nearby called The Skull & Crown.
Hawkins designed clothes for his G.I. Joe when he was very young, after becoming frustrated that the action figure only had one outfit. Now, he is making a dream come true by opening his own shop.
Hawkins, who moved to Austin from Los Angeles 14 years ago, has designed clothes for a host of entertainment stars including Jamie Foxx, Rod Stewart, Harrison Ford, Helen Hunt, Vanessa Williams, and the cast of “Friends”.
As his clothing designs became more popular, he also served as a personal stylist for several celebrities.
“Bringing a great collection of hand-picked items into one place for others to shop and enjoy as much as I do, is a dream come true,” said Hawkins, who opened the doors to Skull & Crown on Dec. 1.
Situated in a renovated warehouse five minutes from Mansfield Dam at 15301 Storm Dr. 78734, the boutique carries a personally curated collection of clothing, leather goods, gifts, accessories, artisan jewelry and hand-crafted furniture.
Hawkins said that the distinctive shopping experience at The Skull & Crown is as unique as the sought-after brands sold there which include Billabong, RVCA, Howler Brothers, Frye, Will Leather Co., Columbia, SAXX, Knuckleheads and Brixton.
“I have always been asked where I found a piece of clothing I’m wearing or something I found for my house, and I am looking forward to sharing my finds with others,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins studied at Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles, and worked for a clothing designer before starting out on his own.
He met his wife, Tracy, in California. They had three children, Wyatt, Ruby and Jesse, who are now at Vandegrift and Canyon Ridge Middle School. Tracy, who was well-known and loved in the local community, passed away June 22, 2017 from cancer at the age of 49.
A true entrepreneur, Hawkins also owns Kule Designs, which manufactures spandex covers for tables, chairs and other furniture. These covers are sold to convention centers, hotels and resorts in Austin and across the country.
The Skull & Crown hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday and closed Sunday. Private shopping and personal styling are available by appointment. The website is coming soon.