For cool, contemporary essentials for you and your home, Jenni Kayne is the place to head.
A stylish amalgamation of interiors, style, entertaining, wellness with a thoroughly Californian vibe, this brand is a secure favorite with fashion insiders and celebs alike including Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell, and Brooklyn Decker to name a few. And now, Kayne has launched a new sneaker line, available now on her site.
Jenni Kayne offers timeless styles meant to suit your everyday look, wear ‘em with jeans or dresses for daily elevation. She’s taken her inspiration from the ’90s skate shoe for the shape, featuring minimal and subtle detailing. The three new styles are available in the three colorways of natural, black and charcoal. For materiality expect neoprene, stretch suede and tech nubuck with pricing from $225-$295.
Felicity Carter: What was your earliest memory of fashion?
Jenni Kayne: I was fortunate enough to attend a fashion show with my mom when I was 8 years old. Ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with how clothes and style make a woman feel. I knew that I ultimately wanted to become a designer from a young age.
FC: How did you get into the industry?
I attended Otis College of Art and Design and launched my brand when I was 19 years old. What started as a traditional wholesale brand has transitioned to a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand with a variety of product categories: apparel, footwear, accessories, home décor, sneakers, and men and kids’ capsule collections launching this holiday season. We have 7 retail stores across the country, with plans to open 5 more stores in 2020, and a blog called Rip & Tan that covers everything from style, women profiles, entertaining features and more. We’re proud to say that our business is tripling this year from $8 million to $25 million. As we scale and expand across the country, we are so excited to reach more women and inspire them to live more thoughtful lives.
FC: Sum up the vibe of your brand…
Jenni Kayne is a California-inspired brand that focuses on classic pieces that can be mixed and matched season after season. We encourage women to ‘find their uniform’ and believe that getting dressed should be the simplest part of your morning routine. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel every morning if you find what looks good and makes you feel your best.
FC: Who is your customer?
The Jenni Kayne woman values quality, form and function, and pieces that will never go out of style. She’s multi-dimensional, committed to living well, and thoughtful about her personal style, interior design, and her overall well-being.
FC: What are the cornerstones of your brand?
Jenni Kayne inspires women to live well; through uniform dressing, cohesive home decor, educational content and branded experiences, we aim to simplify and elevate the everyday.
FC: Tell us about the launch of your new sneaker line…
We’re so excited about the launch of our new sneaker collection, which is made up of three styles: The Lounger, The Skater, and The Trainer. Made for the woman on-the-go that still wants to look put together and effortless, the styles are the perfect addition to any uniform. Like the rest of our footwear, our sneakers are handmade in Italy.
FC: Talk us through the creative process through to production and the materials that you use…
My creative process usually starts by asking a few simple questions — what do I want to be wearing, and what do I feel is missing from my closet and my uniform? Then I build out a cohesive color palette and add in texture with fabrics and yarns. I’m always thinking about how these designs will mix in with current pieces in our collection, and how they will last beyond the season I’m designing for. I tend to pull inspiration from just about everywhere…from mid-century architecture to landscapes and artisan pieces from my travels.
FC: Which is your favorite pair, and how do you wear them?
My favorite sneaker is The Skater! It’s our version of a ‘90s classic. I love that it’s a little bit nostalgic but also as functional as it is chic. I’ve been wearing The Skater with summer dresses and military pants while the weather is still warm.
See the full range and shop now at jennikayne.com.
