Evocative Design: Stephen Kenn
Sometimes, the most remarkable adventures in life occur by sheer happenstance. That’s exactly how things transpired with Stephen Kenn during the inception of his successful furniture brand. A couple of years ago, his curiosity led him to dismantle a sofa to investigate its inner workings. That initial spark of curiosity morphed into a bold decision to create his own minimalist, pared-down furniture. Presently, from his Los Angeles design studio, he churns out sleek home furnishings (and leather accessories) that instantly elevate the ambience of any interior setting. For our West Coast Issue, we tracked him down to ask several questions about his burgeoning home design empire.
When did you first start designing & making furniture and what was your original design inspiration?
5 years ago, I began playing around with reupholstering some furniture to learn how sofas were made. The result was fascinating and inspiring. I broke the structure down into 3 components, similar to the human anatomy; bones, mussels, skin. The frame, the springs and the fabric. I had a steel frame welded up, made some belts that were modeled after a military issue Swiss mule and wove them through the frame and finished it off with upholstered cushions that were sewn from old military shelter tents. I was immediately hooked on furniture design.
You’re originally from Canada, how did Los Angeles become your new hometown?
After high school, a friend (who was also named Steve) and I started talking about making jeans. We quickly moved to LA after attending a trade show in Vegas when we were 20. The journey was so fun, challenging and it shaped me for the grit and tenacity needed to be an entrepreneur.
If you were to break down your design philosophy into a few succinct lines, what would it be?
Good design should embody the simplest most functional form, and the materials used should tell stories from the past and wear well into the future.
“Good design should embody the simplest, most functional form, and the materials used should tell stories from the past and wear well into the future.”
You gained a ton of press and visibility from your Inheritance collection. How did the idea for that series come along?
I began with the simple curiosity and in the process of taking apart furniture, I was inspired to make furniture that I thought was simpler, more aesthetically pleasing, that also told a new story from a process perspective. The materials that surrounded me at the time were vintage military fabrics. Still to this day, I draw inspiration from the world around me. Less so from form, but much more from materials that are used in other industries such as sailing.
https://vimeo.com/35934019
Some recurring materials in your designs are leather, military canvas and brass. What is your affinity to these elements?
They speak of our past. I know how long it takes for vegetable tanned leather to break in and become dark and rich, so when I see holsters and belts or straps on backpacks, I have a deep level of respect for what the men went through. I will never fully understand, but there is an undeniable connection to our past I feel, when I work with these materials and I think that remembering is important.
Can you tell us briefly about your Encounter Collection and the upcoming Bowline collection?
Encounter was born from a place of nostalgia. My father was taken on a trip when he was 16 by his father and so he took my brothers and I on individual trips when we were 16. I love this act of courage for a man to connect with his son and thought that giving a bag at the end of one of those trips would be the perfect gift. The film we created is narrated by a friend of mine who took our concept and beautifully and poetically told a story of a father writing what he wishes he could have shown his son. It’s powerful and I hope that you’ll go watch it – Even if you don’t buy our bags. The act of passing an object on from one generation to the next can be incredibly significant. We make our bags from vegetable tanned leather, so they will never wear out but rather they will always be in a state of wearing in.
What do you see as the overall vision/evolution of the Stephen Kenn brand?
To keep learning, staying challenged, to meet new people and ask bigger questions. There are so many categories with which to apply creativity. Life feels as exciting as it is uncertain.
What is it about Los Angeles that fuels your creativity and brings you peace of mind?
It sounds cliché, but I really like the weather. I came from Canada and as beautiful as season are when I get to ride my motorcycle year round there are few things that beat that. I also love the people who are attracted to this city. So hopeful and ambitious. It’s a nice reminder that the human spirit is excitable and capable of so much when determined.
How would you describe your own fashion style; do you have a regular uniform, and does your style intersect with the appearance of your furniture?
Lately, because I have been riding my motorcycle a lot, I wear these Gudi boots that I got in Japan, some jeans from Baldwin or Simon Miller and have been living in a plain white tee by O.N.S. I’m not just saying that. The fit is SO good. When I’m not on my bike, I love drop crotch trousers, slouchy fitting lightweight shirts and jackets with Arkk sneakers.
“I have been living in a plain white tee by O.N.S. I’m not just saying that. The fit is SO good.”
What (or who) are some of your biggest design inspirations in contemporary culture at this moment?
I really like following Max Lamb from a far. I think he’s pretty brilliant and was fortunate enough to buy a piece of his Grandfather’s Tree project this year. I also enjoy the projects coming out of Snarkitecture.
If there was one other city (or maybe two), you would love to escape to, or perhaps even move to, what would that be?
I loved Antwerp and would love to spend more time there and I’m about to see Italy for the first time and can’t wait. But Japan would probably be were I moved for a season or two.
To see more, visit Stephen Kenn’s online shop here
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Photography by: James Law (@jameslaw1)
If you liked this story, check out more in our Urban Transplants issue.
