What started as a curated vintage clothing shop on South Congress Avenue has evolved into one of Austin's most important launchpads for independent fashion designers. Second Act Vintage, owned by 31-year-old Davonte Williams, now dedicates half its floor space to consignment pieces from local designers — a model that has helped more than 20 Austin creators build sustainable fashion businesses.
Williams opened Second Act in 2024 with savings from his years working retail at Nordstrom. His eye for style was evident from the start: the shop quickly became a destination for Austin's fashion-forward crowd, drawn by Williams's meticulous curation of '70s and '90s pieces and his warm, encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history.
"I noticed that the same people buying vintage were also making their own clothes," Williams recalls. "They'd come in wearing something incredible, and I'd ask where they got it, and they'd say, 'Oh, I made it.' That's when the lightbulb went off."
The shop's "Local Rack" program takes no upfront fees from designers. Instead, Second Act takes a 25 percent commission on sales and provides merchandising, social media promotion, and access to the shop's loyal customer base. The program currently features 15 designers, ranging from a sustainable streetwear label run by a UT Austin junior to a luxury handbag line crafted from upcycled leather.
Designer María Elena Garza credits Second Act with transforming her side project into a full-time career. "Before Davonte gave me space on his rack, I was selling on Instagram to maybe 50 people," she says. "Within three months, I had stockists reaching out from Dallas and Houston."
Williams recently partnered with Austin Community College's fashion program to offer mentorship sessions in the shop, covering everything from pricing strategies to sustainable sourcing. He has plans to host the store's first pop-up fashion show during South by Southwest in March.
"Austin has always had incredible creative energy," Williams says. "I just wanted to build a place where that energy could turn into something real."