Category: Who

Mara & Mine

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

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I discovered these rad skull loafers from Mara & Mine a few years ago (via instagram, obviously) and was so excited to meet the founders and see the studio when I was in LA. Mara & Mine was started by Jasmine Yarbrough and Tamie Ingham, Australian friends who live in Los Angeles. Jasmine & Tamie both got their start in fashion – Jasmine as a model and Tamie as a stylist – and their hectic studio jobs led them to search for cute, fashionable, and flat shoes they could wear all day.

They sourced leather for their shoes in the US and were planning to produce in Portugal and Spain (high-wage countries known for shoe-making) when they found a factory right in LA that could create the shoes that they were looking for. The collection is now in it’s fourth season, beloved by all of your favorite celebrities, and includes espadrilles, sandals, and bags – with more amazing options to come this fall. (the slip on sneakers in these photos are seriously incredible)

Shoes are hard to buy online… which was part of the reason I hadn’t invested in a pair of Mara & Mine loafers before visiting the studio. But the loafers are amazing – the materials and detailing are incredibly luxe, and the lambskin lining means the shoes will mold to your feet. And if you aren’t sure about which option to buy, Mara & Mine has recently launched a customization option, so you can create your dream shoes!

Thanks, Jasmine and Tamie, for taking the time to speak with me and show me your studio… and for proving to me that you can look extraordinarily chic while still being comfortable!

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WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Travel. Each season is based on where we travel together or where we would like to go. The architecture, the foods, the color, the materials that we see during our trips.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL? WHERE ARE YOU HEADED NEXT?

Harbor Island in the Bahamas – the people are so incredibly friendly, and we loved the local music. Next we are headed to Paris for trade shows.

WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY? THROUGH THE WEEK?

Eachother (answered simultaneously!)
Coffee – Tamie. Green Tea – Jasmine.

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WHAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHILE YOU WERE SOURCING YOUR LINE?

Finding a great manufacturer, where we could control quality. We love that he hand makes everything.

WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?

A blazer, Mara & Mines, sunglasses, leather pants, and a good tee.

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Custom loafers and our fall collection. We’re working on some collaborations, including baby skull slippers we are really excited about! (adorable!)

WHO IS THE MARA & MINE GIRL?

Confident, well-traveled women. Fashion-forward, can be creative. A bit quirky. Like to have fun with fashion but still take it seriously. Also, very confident men who like to make a statement – we’ve heard that our loafers work as great pick-up lines for men! (even Ludacris wears them!)

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Original images by The American Edit.

Mara & Mine is a TAE A-list brand. Follow along:

Kieley Kimmel

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

I came across Kieley Kimmel’s incredible knits last fall (and still regret not buying a sweater!) – and her spring collection is even more incredible. The pieces are deceivingly simple – but the collection is built on incredible fabrics, prints and structural (yet still soft) details that make all the difference.

Read on to learn more about the inspirations behind the collection and what we can look forward to… this is a line I’m so excited to watch. (ps – my favorite online shop Mille has some Spring 14 pieces on sale! I’ll be forever envious if you buy that sweater!)

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WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

My background is in Painting and Textile Design with a concentration on History, Philosophy + Social Sciences. I studied at Rhode Island School of Design.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR COLLECTION?

I gather inspiration from my immediate surroundings and various theoretical texts. I’m mostly drawn to complex textures, materials and surfaces.

WHERE DO YOU DESIGN?

I design all of my collections at Kieley Kimmel Studio, Downtown Los Angeles. But the design/inspiration process is constant, no matter where I am.

WHERE DO YOU ESCAPE?

I love to take day-hikes + adventures on the outskirts of Los Angeles. There a ton of hidden rivers, pools and waterfalls in the Angeles National Forest. Also, Marfa TX is my dream space escape, but I haven’t been back to visit for over a year!

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WHY DO YOU MANUFACTURE IN AMERICA?

I’ve sourced some great LA manufacturers who are able to maintain a hand-made quality to their work, especially with garments that are focused on the fabric + textile. It’s a matter of quality control. I also prefer a more personal relationship to my production team.

WHY IS YOUR COLLECTION DIFFERENT?

I think the line appeals to a broad audience, and I always try to include a mixture of different styles/personalities in each collection. A little something for everyone. The textiles are custom designs, using very fine materials. I’ve noticed that the quality of fabrics are what people are initially drawn to.

WHAT’S NEXT?

I’d love to focus on my knitwear + possibly a Kieley Kimmel Unisex/Menswear line. Art direction for small-scale film projects has also interested me lately.

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Images c/o Kieley Kimmel. Follow along:

Grace Lee

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

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I’ve followed Grace Lee‘s jewelry collection ever since I discovered her incredible lace ring online a few years ago. The ring took me by surprise, something that doesn’t happen that often with jewelry, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I saw it in person a year or so later, at Clare Vivier in Silver Lake – and the reality exceeded my expectations. It actually feels like lace – delicate, but still solid and durable. It’s timeless, simple, and so special.

I’m still waiting for the perfect reason to treat myself to a lace ring (which is made all the more difficult by the new variations coming out – like this lace arch ring Grace instagrammed recently!) but a friend and I bought these black diamond disc bracelets on a girls trip last year and I never take mine off.

Grace was so kind to meet me when I was in LA earlier this year – she’s wonderful, funny, and so thoughtful – and her personality shines through in her incredible work.

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HOW DID YOU START GRACE LEE DESIGNS?

I have a finance background, but while pregnant with my daughter, I started to make simple pieces that I wanted but couldn’t find – the whisper ring was created because I wanted an extremely thin ring, but couldn’t find one anywhere. I made mine, and then people started asking me where they could buy them. I put them online, and the business was born… it’s been about six years and the business has grown very naturally over that time.

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR COLLECTION?

I draw on graph paper and then scan. From the computer image, we make metal or rubber molds and then we produce in 14 or 18 karat gold.

WHERE DO YOU PRODUCE YOUR COLLECTION?

All production is done in-house or locally – this allows more control over the process. We’re more nimble because it’s local. It gives me more flexibility. It’s important to me to keep as much of it local for as long as I possibly can. But, it’s hard – labor is a bigger expense than gold! Being local also allows me to do custom work. I get to build and create relationships with my customers that can last a long time.

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WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Life! The Lace Deco rings was inspired by the art deco ceiling at the El Capitan theater and the Sticks and Stones collection was inspired by rocks I saw one day.

WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?

Clare V. Handbags, some type of sneakers – I’m really into Stan Smiths right now. A lot of Black Crane, Steven Alan. Hansel from Basel socks, and my jewelry!

WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY? THE WEEK?

Lots of dark chocolate!

I love the time I get to spend with my kids – they will do one thing that will just make me crack up and it’s a great reminder that it’s all worth it. As a mom, sometimes you just have to roll with it – that transfers into my business as well.

Los Angeles has a real, natural community that supports each other.
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Thank you, Grace, for meeting with me and for making beautiful jewelry!

Images c/o Grace Lee Designs.

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Heidi Merrick

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

heidi-merrick-made-in-america

I discovered Heidi Merrick a few years ago – I remember seeing the Huntington dress on Shopbop and falling in love. I don’t even know if I realized that the dress was made in America – but I still remember it, and I still wish I’d bought it. As I started to follow Heidi’s blog and instagram account, I fell more in love with the brand – and the thought and care Heidi puts into her work. I have since added several pieces to my wardrobe – each piece inevitably becomes a favorite, worn again and again.

Heidi graciously agreed to take some time out of her day to meet with me when I was in LA… I was more than a little overwhelmed as I walked into her studio – it can be scary to meet people you’ve admired for so long! But Heidi is amazing. She emanates positive energy – I could have talked to her all day (or just moved into her incredible studio!) and I think about our conversation often. Heidi is incredibly real, smart, gorgeous, funny, and thoughtful – If i didn’t like her so much, it wouldn’t seem fair. What’s more, everything she does is is done with hard work and integrity. She doesn’t pretend her work is easy, or overemphasize it’s importance, but there is a clear mission and purpose behind what she does, and she acts accordingly. I left our meeting inspired and motivated – and just wanting to be better.

I always feel good when I wear Heidi’s clothes – the beautiful fabrics, impeccable cuts, and perfect little details will make anyone look and feel beautiful. But I’m also proud to wear Heidi Merrick – and to support an amazing, inspiring woman and maker. Thank you Heidi, for all that you do, and for taking the time to share your story – and incredible advice – with us!

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TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND:

My dad makes surfboards – I grew up in a manufacturing family. My parents never compromised – I watched that and learned from it. We lived a beautiful, pure life that they wanted to live. I want the same thing. I want to live a nice life.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

My wedding dress was the first piece I made – my mom sewed it. We draped it and then I shredded the silk organza! Then I went to LA Trade Tech where I learned to make clothes. The collection has grown really naturally over the last 9 years.

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WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

The juxtaposition of wearable and beautiful – it can be hard to find in fashion.

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

I know that I will only do this while I want to do it. Life is more important than work.

In fashion, you have a community that is working so hard to make things happen. There are people you’ve worked with over the years that are always so happy to see you – and you find so much in common with people that you wouldn’t have known otherwise. This is the place that I feel most useful – even though so much of my work is done by myself.

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WHO DO YOU DESIGN FOR?

My idea of the elevated CA lifestyle. How I want the world to look. What I want women to wear. You can feel like you have a super beautiful, super relaxed life here. You can be resorty in the day and elegant at night.

It’s also always been important to me to have price points that my friends can buy.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER MAKERS & CREATIVES?

You have to be ok with carving your own path. Responsible production takes a lot of constant assessment, you are constantly making and remaking a commitment to yourself.

The best investment you can make is in your domestic life.

Never buy anything less nice than than the nicest thing you own.

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