LAUNE x Klein Designs
What originally started out as a hobby born in college, Klein Designs has since flourished into a brand synonymous with New York. Driven by a commitment to craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail, Klein Designs chic creations are tailored, yet modern and timeless. From her studio in Brooklyn, Alexa and her team create and customize everything from pants to tote bags, embodying how one’s clothes are one’s canvas. I literally could get lost in their design options, there is something for everyone and they’re just incredible! Taxis, zodiac signs, and dachshunds, oh my! Below, Alexa and I chat dream collab, NYC recs, her design process and more.
1. Tell me about yourself and Klein Designs. How was Klein Designs created?
I started Klein Designs during my freshman year of college while I was at home during the pandemic. I always loved customization and began exploring hand embroidery as a new hobby!
2. What got you into design?
From a young age, I was always interested in fashion. I think I inherently appreciated design from the influence of my family.
3. What is the LAUNE (mood) of Klein Designs?
When you walk into our studio, you immediately feel the playfulness and fun in our brand which translates to the interactive and playful mood of customization and embroidery!
4. Your brand is rooted in family. Tell me more about your inspiration(s).
Family has always been a huge part of my creative journey - from my Grandma Sally, who worked as a painter, my Grandpa - an architect, my sisters who are both interior designers, and my parents' constant encouragement towards both my creative and business pursuits. My Grandma Milly has always been one of my style icons with the most impeccable taste. I am super lucky to have my family as an amazing support system and I couldn’t do it without them.
5. What does the design process look like?
Whether we are creating custom embroidery designs for clients, or designs tailored to our brand, I begin by collaborating with our amazing designer on our team, Anjali Kamat, to begin brainstorming our initial concept and gathering any inspiration. She then will create a variety of rough sketches before I select 1 or 2 to continue exploring further. Once we have nailed the drawing, I will then translate the design into embroidery in our digitizing software. I will often make a few different versions to begin sampling until we have perfected the design!
The design process for our clothing collection and future products is meticulous and takes time, as we believe in doing things the right way—not rushing for speed or affordability. This attention to detail is especially important to me as I’m deeply passionate about creating high quality pieces that people will wear for a long time. .One of my top priorities is to manufacture our products locally in NYC. To begin, we partnered with a local manufacturer who helped turn my initial sketches and ideas into technical designs and patterns. From there, we visited various fabric and button showrooms, and had numerous design meetings and fittings in order to create our Poplin Collection of button down shirts and wide leg pants.
Once the production is complete, we brought all the pieces to our studio, where each piece is embroidered and produced using a made-to-order process, ensuring that items are only created as needed. This approach allows us to maintain both quality and sustainability in every step.
6. What’s next for you and Klein Designs?
We have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible brands for custom projects and brand activations. I would really like to expand these relationships and create longer term partnerships by offering our embroidery designs for customization with some of our favorite brands, or creating collaborative pieces. I am also really focused on continuing to build out our product line and continue developing high quality, closet staples that make for the perfect canvas for our embroidery.
Rapid Fire:
1. Favorite Klein Designs piece?
A custom jacket for my Grandma with my Grandpa’s logo. The design was inspired by a needle point version she had with 4 reflected K’s. This actually inspired our rebrand and this K is now our logo!
2. Favorite design from the design menu?
That is so hard! Probably the cafe chair or brownstone!
3. What’s one product you could not live without?
Our poplin pants! I am always about feeling chic but comfortable and they are truly the best everyday, easy pants.
4. What are three staple items that every closet should have?
A wideleg pant, a good white tank, and a classic button down.
5. Describe your style in three words.
Elevated, Chic, Simple
6. Early mornings or sleeping in?
Sleeping in. Although, I want to be a morning person
7. AM or PM skincare?
PM
8. Dream collab?
9. Favorite drinks spot in NYC?
Little Canal. Coffee & cocktails :)
10. Favorite restaurant in NYC?
11. Favorite style icon?
My Grandma :)
12. Favorite movie?
Field of Dreams
13. What are you loving right now?
Funky earrings!
