I discovered Kieley Kimmel sweaters at Spiritual America in New York – I walked in and was immediately drawn to the intricate knits. The sweaters have the most perfect neutral palette, and are incredibly soft and lightweight, but still warm. Even better, the entire line is made in Los Angeles!
Now that it’s officially winter in Minnesota, I am really regretting the fact that I didn’t bring one home with me…
ABOUT KIELEY KIMMEL:
Kieley Kimmel is a textile and clothing designer living and working in LA. Guided by color theory and the liminality of unconventional geometries, her clothes explore the emotion of space and place with a distinct attention to texture. Animated knits, weaves, silkscreen, hand-painted and digital prints converge with simple and elegant cuts that imbue the garments with a comforting and wearable yet idiosyncratic air. Garments are manufactured with consideration in Downtown LA.
Kieley Kimmel is also available at Ten Over Six (of course it is!) and online at Pour Porter.
The Introduction is a new series I’m launching for TAE where I will share new-to-me brands and collaborations!
I’ve always loved a gorgeous leather weekender bag… I even remember trying to convince my parents that I needed one for Christmas when I was 13! (they disagreed.) When I learned about Dina Epstein’s LA-based line, Clark and Madison, where she combines vintage fabrics (think, Navajo blankets and Moroccan rugs!) with gorgeous leather to create the most unique weekenders I’d ever seen, I knew I had to learn more! Read on for an interview with Dina and for more information about their current storefront as a part of Arts reSTORE LA!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Nature, I love going on walks and making time to take in everything that is around me. Its a great time to think. Expert craftsmen, chefs, designers, builders. . .people that are incredible at what they do and take pride in everything they put into this world. There are so many people I admire.
WHAT MADE YOU START?
The two of us [Dina and her partner in Clark & Madison, Frosti] had been traveling across the country to see each other for six months, living out of carry on bags. There was one bag I always took that had been passed down to me from my late grandmother. I really believe in things that last. Well made, timeless pieces never go out of style. I still have that bag hanging in our studio, it reminds me to put good things into the world.
WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR LINE?
Well, the name Clark & Madison originated from the story of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. I was inspired with their efforts to explore and map America. Upon completing the expedition, Clark was appointed and the governor of the Missouri Territory by President Madison. Clark & Madison is a depiction of adventure and American heritage.
WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?
Tods loafers, J-Brand jeans, a soft T, cashmere sweater, and a Clark & Madison tote (this is more like my everyday wardrobe!).
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER MAKERS?
Don’t be scared, be excited. There’s no better time to start making the life you want for yourself than right now. Getting to wake up each day and make products that I am proud of is extremely rewarding.
WHERE DO YOU ESCAPE?
We love to travel, we were in Baja last weekend and we’re running up to Canada soon for my birthday but most of the time you’ll find us on Sawtelle st. for dumplings or noodles.
WHY DO YOU MANUFACTURE IN AMERICA?
We built this company around the idea of making high quality products locally. By making things here, the products travel less before they reach the consumer, bringing them closer to the source.
WHY IS AMERICAN MADE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I think it is important to create jobs here in in the US.
WHY IS YOUR COLLECTION SPECIAL?
All of our bags are made in limited quantities from materials that have been hand selected. I can name 90% of all the people that touch our bags before they make it into the consumers hands. It is more about a lifestyle choice. It is wonderful to be able to know the story behind the products you have, to know that every piece is significant and has exceptional quality. Our bags will last you a lifetime or more. They are meant to go on vacations and adventures with you! When you pack it up you should be excited for the journey your about to embark on. It will stay with you through all your journeys and hopefully like my trusted bag from my grandmother carry not just clothes but many memories. Take away all other luxuries in life but if have the ability to make someone happy, that is the most special gift, and those trips are our happy times.
You can always support Clark & Madison via their site, but they are also currently available at Arts ReSTORE LA: Westwood, an effort that aims to re-energize Westwood Village with the creative force of local Angeleno artisans and craftspeople. For over a decade, the once vibrant Village has fallen on hard times and has lost the unique luster that made it a destination neighborhood on LA’s westside. This fall, from November 1 to 24, the Hammer will fill empty storefront spaces donated by landlords with artisan vendors, setting the stage for a new retail experience in the neighborhood and an opportunity to revitalize the Village community.
If you make it, let me know – I’m so sad that I don’t have a trip to LA planned this month! Thanks Dina for sharing your story with us!
I’ve said before… jewelry should be personal. I’m partial to supporting smaller designers with my accessories, and it’s also important to me that each piece has meaning – a memory, a goal, an idea. I’ve always loved Odette New York because the pieces are so dynamic – delicate and feminine while simultaneously geometric and bold. When you wear an Odette piece, it’s obvious that a lot of attention has gone into the design… the way the rings fit, the way the necklaces lay just so…
About a month ago, Jennifer Sarkilahti emailed me to say she’d be visiting Minneapolis for a trunk show at Mille. Being the absolute dork that I am, I had a total fan-girl moment, jumped up and down, and emailed Matt to say, oh my God can you believe this?! It was a pretty big moment for me. Even better, last week I was able to visit Jennifer in her studio in Brooklyn and see how her beautiful pieces come to life.
I was a huge fan of Odette before, but meeting Jennifer made me fall even more in love. She personifies the vision I had of Odette… she’s incredibly kind and thoughtful, gorgeous in this totally unassuming way, and just so talented. It’s incredibly inspiring to see someone turn art into a business without losing the art – and Jennifer has done just that.
Thank you, Jennifer, for reaching out! and Michelle for connecting us! Read on to learn more about Jennifer and Odette, and if you are in Minneapolis check out the trunk show at Mille this weekend!
HOW DO YOU DESIGN YOUR COLLECTION?
I want to explore everything… I want to do all that I can. I don’t impose trend limitations on myself. I keep a running sketchbook and sticky notes next to my bed. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and sketch. When it’s time to design a new collection, I pull everything together and see what works.
WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?
Lots of black. So cliché New York! Lots of jewelry. I love stacking – I love that we are having a stacking moment! [note – I wish I had taken a picture of Jennifer’s amazing stacks… I keep thinking of them!]
I’m a minimal dresser with maximal jewelry. I also have a shoe weakness!
Finished pieces and wax models displayed in the studio.
WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY? THE WEEK?
I enjoy coming to my studio. I love it when all of the studiomates are here – it makes it a fun environment. Just the fact that we can make a living doing this every day makes it all worthwhile.
WHAT MAKES YOUR LINE UNIQUE?
Everything has been made by my hand initially, each mark is intentionally placed. The pieces are literally unique.
each piece is handmade in wax (like a sculpture!) and then cast in various metals. the texture you see in these pieces is hand-carved by Jennifer.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Everything! I love to travel – it helps me clear my head because when I’m traveling, I’m not thinking about other stuff all the time. Museums, movies, books.
such a good inspiration board!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL? WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT
My favorite place is Bali… I’d love to explore India and South America next.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER DESIGNERS?
Just start making things. Don’t spin your wheels and be afraid to put something out there. Be really thoughtful, but don’t be afraid.
THANK YOU, JENNIFER! I loved meeting you and learning more about your line… and am so excited to add these or this to my collection on Saturday!
[top image via Odette, bottom via Mille, all others are TAE]
I am so excited to share this interview with you today! I “met” Sadie & Jeremy through Twitter last year as they were preparing to launch Tradlands and have been so inspired as I’ve watched the (recently married!) couple grow and refine their business… as someone who lives in button-downs and used to covet my husband’s options, I am thrilled that they are creating solutions for women. Read on to learn a little more about Sadie!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My partner and husband, Jeremy, keeps me motivated and laughing every day. He carries what I consider to be the less than fun-filled side of the business – finances, scheduling, and marketing – with tenacity and a smile. He gives me the space to be creative while gently nudging me to stay on task.
WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?
As a girl who went shopping for her wedding attire 3 days before the big day, my style is pretty relaxed. My essentials are well-worn jeans, my gold signet ring, a great button-down, and sunshine.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Our little start-up is growing quickly and we will be looking to hire a team soon. When it comes time to hire employees, I want to create a positive, healthy work environment. That is very important to me. I have had terrible, unhealthy experiences working for other people, as so many have. Something I want for the future of Tradlands is to be a great place to work, where people can grow, learn, and find balance. Although we want to progress as a company, we want to share our success and happiness with a team of people.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
When I left my desk job to work full-time on Tradlands, it was terrifying. It was also one of the best decisions I’ve made to date. I’ve learned that the things that scare me, when overcome, lead to the most satisfying and important breakthroughs.
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
Jeremy and I are currently working out of mid-coast Maine while spending time with our family who lives here. We spend time in SF when production is underway. One of the many benefits of owning an online business is the ability to work nomadically.
WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP?
While I do most of my shopping in the Tradlands stock room and “borrowing” from my mother’s closet, my favorite San Francisco stores include Reliquary in Hayes Valley and Mill Mercantile in the Mission. Online you can find me shopping at Westerlind and BestMadeCo.
WHY IS AMERICAN-MADE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
We decided very early on to keep production in the United States. We spent a lot of time researching at our local library for resources and reaching out to friends for guidance. Organizations like SF Made helped us connect with new people and local references. What we have found is an impassioned niche of people who also want to keep manufacturing in the US. It’s a great place to be.
WHY DOES MANUFACTURING IN AMERICA HELP YOUR BUSINESS?
For a small company like ours the best way to ensure a healthy work environment is to keep it in the US. We are making great products and also creating a socially and environmentally responsible workplace. By manufacturing locally we are on hand during our production runs, working closely with our sewers, and looking over each shirt that gets made. It allows us to create products we believe in and comfortably guarantee.
