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Jenni Kayne

Fashion Offices with WWW: Jenni Kayne

Designer and Owner; Jenni Kayne. Los Angeles

Almont Drive is one of our favourite streets in L.A. The West Hollywood block is home to two of our favourites: the Andy Lecompte Salon (the home-base for Coveteurs like Leanne Citrone, Mara Roszak and Jen Atkin) and designer Jenni Kayne’s store-slash-office.
In our latest installment of Fashion Offices with the fine folks at Who What Wear, we peeped the storefront where the goods are displayed, and went to the back where it all begins. It was great to hang with Kayne—who had just recently welcomed a new bundle of joy, Ripley, into her family—and see how her design process works.
Kayne’s workspace is surrounded with inspirational images torn from the pages of Vogue (and other magazines), blogs, artists­, and photographers alike. Her desk is super organized, too; after all, she is a Virgo—so Kayne tells us it’s “essential for her sanity.” She also spilled a few other secrets: her favourite florist in L.A. (J.K. loves Bloom & Plume and Botany), her daily pick-me-up (Pressed Juicery’s Greens 2 and Grapefruit Mint), and her go-to scent (SMN Rose Water: “I have one at home, in my car, and at work—just in case!”). With the Drive soundtrack on repeat, the office is filled with tunes to keep the creative juices flowing.
Kayne’s clothing is not only a Cov-fave, but a favourite among celebrities, as well. Thanks to a little help from Rachel Bilson, Kristen Bell, Jessica Biel and slew of others, Kayne has been catapulted to cult-status. We really admire Kayne’s expert eye and aesthetic, which translates perfectly from her décor to her collection. And there’s a great gratification for Kayne to see the fruits of her labour transition from production to purchase: “I love when mothers and daughters come into the stores and can both walk out with something; my goal has always been to design a collection for women regardless of their age.”

When we're designing a collection, we always start with a tone along with an inspiration, and we create a moodboard to reflect that. Cesar, my designer, has a huge collection of old Vogue magazines that always come in handy; we also find images from photographers, artists, blogs, and other magazines. His moodboard was for my spring 2012 collection that’s in stores right now. Below it are pictures of my kids, Tanner and Ripley, who are always an inspiration. On our iPod right now in the office is the Drive soundtrack—but it’s always changing.

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This is our Almont office at our West Hollywood store, so it’s small and very intimate. It’s really important that it’s organized and clean. We keep all our past seasons’ orders, line sheets, and other vendors that we carry in the store in matching white binders on the shelves. Everything else is hung up on cork boards and white brick walls. I love working in this office because we all work closely together and get a lot done.

Read More

Black Bag, Hermès

I'm so grateful for my celebrity supporters and their stylists. Jessica Biel looked great in my navy double-breasted coat from the spring collection, and we sold out of the citron look from the resort collection that Nikki Reed wore while promoting Twilight. Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell have been big supporters of the line from the beginning. It's really special, as a designer, to see people out there wearing items from my collection.

Read More

Shoes, Jenni Kayne; Hat, Patricia Underwood x Jenni Kayne

I'm lucky to be surrounded by beautiful art. My store on Almont is next to several great galleries: Regen Projects, M+B, and many more. But my favorite gallery is my sister Maggie’s, Kayne Griffin Corcoran. Some of my favorite artists that we have in our house are Jed Lind, Deanna Thompson, Ed Ruscha, David Lynch, and Raymond Pettibon.

Read More

Benjamin makes my favourite glasses, and I carry them in the store. Years ago, he designed two styles inspired by me, called the Kayne and the Jenni—and soon after he made the Nicole, inspired by my best friend and amazing singer, Nicole Simone. Those are my favorites and they come in tons of amazing colors. I also love them with clips—'90s in the best way possible. Benjamin and I collaborate almost every season to create glasses to go with the newest collection, and I am always blown away.

Read More

Glasses, Benjamin

We always have our past lookbooks up in the office for reference. Here, you see our first Pre-Fall collection, and below our Resort 2012 collection. Next to it are more images for our inspiration for spring 2012—I especially love Linda on the cover of Vogue. At the bottom is Tanner’s painting that I love.

Read More

I would be an interior designer—but only for people who closed their eyes and just let me do everything! I just opened my second store in the Brentwood Country Mart and am so happy with it. I would like to open a couple more stores in California over the next few years, and eventually would like to open a kids’ store and a general store.

Read More

I love SMN Rose Water and wear it daily. I have one at home, in my car, and at work—just in case! I just started carrying Santa Maria Novella in the store, so now I am really in trouble. My husband and son love their Mint Water, too. I love jewelry! My favourites are Amulette, Manin, Irit, Lena Wald, and All for the Mountain—all of which I sell in my stores and wear all the time.

Read More

Vintage Mexican Cuff, Amulette; Gold Signet Rings, Mannin Fine Jewellery; Diamond Rings, Irit

Leanne Citrone is one of my biggest supporters and my neighbour at Almont. She's a working mother and business owner, and she understands the effortless vibe that I strive for in the collection. I love when mothers and daughters come into the store and can both walk out with something; my goal has always been to design a collection for women regardless of their age.

Read More

Shoes, Jenni Kayne; Hat, Patricia Underwood x Jenni Kayne

I am a Virgo, so I am always very organized; a clean desk is essential for my sanity, especially in a small space like our Almont office. I love this laptop case: it’s perfect to bring my laptop back and forth from work, and I always have it on my lap when I’m using my computer in bed. Peonies are my favorite flowers, and when they are in season I love having them at home and at work. I love doing my own flowers, but my favorite florists in LA are Bloom & Plume and Botany. One of my oldest friends started Pressed, and I am obsessed with their juice. I drink a Greens 2 and Grapefruit Mint every morning for breakfast. I also love their Watermelon Mint as an afternoon snack in the summer—and it’s Tanner’s favorite!

Read More

Glasses and Jewelry, Unknown Designers; Laptop Case, Louis Vuitton

I was very driven and excited to start my own line at 19—and I'm happy that I did. I can’t believe I’ve had my collection for 10 years, and I opened my Almont store five years ago this October. I think it’s really important to enjoy every phase of your life and stay in the moment, because time flies. I can’t believe I'm turning 30, have two kids, a husband, and two stores—but I feel very lucky and fortunate to be living my life.

Read More

My husband bought me this bag for our five-year wedding anniversary and I love it. I carry it as much as I can—it’s pretty heavy to carry all the time, but I always jokingly tell my kids, fashion hurts! I love interiors more than I love fashion; I think that's because it’s not my job. I wanted the store to reflect my vision and taste and feel warm, earthy, and modern. I think it is the perfect environment to showcase my collection.

Read More

Bag, Hermès; Sunglasses, Benjamin

Tanner painted this rock for me at a Hammer kids’ art event, and I love it—it’s the perfect paper-weight. I go through phases with my iPad, but when I do carry it with me I carry it in a Clare Vivier leather clutch. The only apps I have are for my kids. The only one I use for myself is Instagram.

Read More

Glasses, Benjamin; Clutch, Clare Vivier

I never leave home without a Patricia Underwood for Jenni Kayne hat. I love them, and try to keep my face out of the sun as much as possible. Balancing work and motherhood is always a challenge, but I am lucky enough to work close to home and have the luxury of bringing the kids to work to visit. I also sprinkle my office with family photos. The large photo of Tanner is a Catherine Opie portrait that my mother commissioned as a gift for us. Tanner chose the orange background because it's his favourite color. Next to it is a picture from his first birthday with my husband and it makes me happy every time I look at it. The little Foo Dog my mom also gave me and I just love it. And yes, that's an organizer, I write everything down—the old-school way! I am not ready to rely on my iPhone or computer when it comes to my plans. My husband, Richard, bought me this beautiful Hermès brown lizard organizer for our first wedding anniversary, and I cherish it.

Read More

Hat, Patricia Underwood x Jenni Kayne; Organizer, Hermès

When we're designing a collection, we always start with a tone along with an inspiration, and we create a moodboard to reflect that. Cesar, my designer, has a huge collection of old Vogue magazines that always come in handy; we also find images from photographers, artists, blogs, and other magazines. His moodboard was for my spring 2012 collection that’s in stores right now. Below it are pictures of my kids, Tanner and Ripley, who are always an inspiration. On our iPod right now in the office is the Drive soundtrack—but it’s always changing.

This is our Almont office at our West Hollywood store, so it’s small and very intimate. It’s really important that it’s organized and clean. We keep all our past seasons’ orders, line sheets, and other vendors that we carry in the store in matching white binders on the shelves. Everything else is hung up on cork boards and white brick walls. I love working in this office because we all work closely together and get a lot done. Black Bag, Hermès

I'm so grateful for my celebrity supporters and their stylists. Jessica Biel looked great in my navy double-breasted coat from the spring collection, and we sold out of the citron look from the resort collection that Nikki Reed wore while promoting Twilight. Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell have been big supporters of the line from the beginning. It's really special, as a designer, to see people out there wearing items from my collection. Shoes, Jenni Kayne; Hat, Patricia Underwood x Jenni Kayne

I'm lucky to be surrounded by beautiful art. My store on Almont is next to several great galleries: Regen Projects, M+B, and many more. But my favorite gallery is my sister Maggie’s, Kayne Griffin Corcoran. Some of my favorite artists that we have in our house are Jed Lind, Deanna Thompson, Ed Ruscha, David Lynch, and Raymond Pettibon.

Benjamin makes my favourite glasses, and I carry them in the store. Years ago, he designed two styles inspired by me, called the Kayne and the Jenni—and soon after he made the Nicole, inspired by my best friend and amazing singer, Nicole Simone. Those are my favorites and they come in tons of amazing colors. I also love them with clips—'90s in the best way possible. Benjamin and I collaborate almost every season to create glasses to go with the newest collection, and I am always blown away. Glasses, Benjamin

We always have our past lookbooks up in the office for reference. Here, you see our first Pre-Fall collection, and below our Resort 2012 collection. Next to it are more images for our inspiration for spring 2012—I especially love Linda on the cover of Vogue. At the bottom is Tanner’s painting that I love.

I would be an interior designer—but only for people who closed their eyes and just let me do everything! I just opened my second store in the Brentwood Country Mart and am so happy with it. I would like to open a couple more stores in California over the next few years, and eventually would like to open a kids’ store and a general store.

I love SMN Rose Water and wear it daily. I have one at home, in my car, and at work—just in case! I just started carrying Santa Maria Novella in the store, so now I am really in trouble. My husband and son love their Mint Water, too. I love jewelry! My favourites are Amulette, Manin, Irit, Lena Wald, and All for the Mountain—all of which I sell in my stores and wear all the time. Vintage Mexican Cuff, Amulette; Gold Signet Rings, Mannin Fine Jewellery; Diamond Rings, Irit

Leanne Citrone is one of my biggest supporters and my neighbour at Almont. She's a working mother and business owner, and she understands the effortless vibe that I strive for in the collection. I love when mothers and daughters come into the store and can both walk out with something; my goal has always been to design a collection for women regardless of their age. Shoes, Jenni Kayne; Hat, Patricia Underwood x Jenni Kayne

I am a Virgo, so I am always very organized; a clean desk is essential for my sanity, especially in a small space like our Almont office. I love this laptop case: it’s perfect to bring my laptop back and forth from work, and I always have it on my lap when I’m using my computer in bed. Peonies are my favorite flowers, and when they are in season I love having them at home and at work. I love doing my own flowers, but my favorite florists in LA are Bloom & Plume and Botany. One of my oldest friends started Pressed, and I am obsessed with their juice. I drink a Greens 2 and Grapefruit Mint every morning for breakfast. I also love their Watermelon Mint as an afternoon snack in the summer—and it’s Tanner’s favorite! Glasses and Jewelry, Unknown Designers; Laptop Case, Louis Vuitton

I was very driven and excited to start my own line at 19—and I'm happy that I did. I can’t believe I’ve had my collection for 10 years, and I opened my Almont store five years ago this October. I think it’s really important to enjoy every phase of your life and stay in the moment, because time flies. I can’t believe I'm turning 30, have two kids, a husband, and two stores—but I feel very lucky and fortunate to be living my life.

My husband bought me this bag for our five-year wedding anniversary and I love it. I carry it as much as I can—it’s pretty heavy to carry all the time, but I always jokingly tell my kids, fashion hurts! I love interiors more than I love fashion; I think that's because it’s not my job. I wanted the store to reflect my vision and taste and feel warm, earthy, and modern. I think it is the perfect environment to showcase my collection. Bag, Hermès; Sunglasses, Benjamin

Tanner painted this rock for me at a Hammer kids’ art event, and I love it—it’s the perfect paper-weight. I go through phases with my iPad, but when I do carry it with me I carry it in a Clare Vivier leather clutch. The only apps I have are for my kids. The only one I use for myself is Instagram. Glasses, Benjamin; Clutch, Clare Vivier

I never leave home without a Patricia Underwood for Jenni Kayne hat. I love them, and try to keep my face out of the sun as much as possible. Balancing work and motherhood is always a challenge, but I am lucky enough to work close to home and have the luxury of bringing the kids to work to visit. I also sprinkle my office with family photos. The large photo of Tanner is a Catherine Opie portrait that my mother commissioned as a gift for us. Tanner chose the orange background because it's his favourite color. Next to it is a picture from his first birthday with my husband and it makes me happy every time I look at it. The little Foo Dog my mom also gave me and I just love it. And yes, that's an organizer, I write everything down—the old-school way! I am not ready to rely on my iPhone or computer when it comes to my plans. My husband, Richard, bought me this beautiful Hermès brown lizard organizer for our first wedding anniversary, and I cherish it. Hat, Patricia Underwood x Jenni Kayne; Organizer, Hermès