To understand the world of Jenni Kayne, you have to visit one of her stores. She just opened her first New York outpost on Harrison Street in Tribeca, arguably one of the most charming streets in the city; it’s happily a little off the beaten path. Inside, there’s a sense of calm and warmth you don’t often find in New York shops; it’s all pale wood, lush wildflowers, and simple, yet desirable pieces like leather boots, cashmere sweaters, and silk button-downs.
Kayne’s collections have become increasingly more about a lifestyle than trends or even “seasons” at all. She envisions women like her—professional women, working moms, 30-something California types—wearing her clothes like a uniform. After 16 years in business, she could experiment with trends and wild prints if she wanted to, but she prefers a slow and steady model. Consider the latest addition to her ready-to-wear collections: T-shirts. They’re a dime a dozen elsewhere, but Kayne spent a considerable amount of time perfecting hers.
The rest of the collection read almost like a summer capsule wardrobe: Here’s the only linen button-down you need; a nice cropped cotton sweater; a sundress in a cute navy plaid. It’s not an accident that her store feels like the apartment you wish you could afford in Manhattan, too. Wooden benches are draped with sheepskins, and there’s a dining room table covered in simple linens and matte-finish ceramic cups and bowls. They mark Kayne’s expansion into tableware, following her recently launched home line of pillows, blankets, and candles. It’s a 360-degree approach, because if you’re a fan of Kayne’s cashmere pullovers and slides, you’re probably going to like her taste for home stuff, too.
