Jess Meany Breathes New Life Into Forgotten Materials
Having worked in the textile development for over a decade, designer Jess Meany had become all too familiar with how wasteful the clothing industry can be — and she made it her mission to try a different approach. In 2019 she launched her own line of limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces, all made from materials with their own past lives.
Meany’s boxy lounge shirts, quilted cropped coats, and minimalist jewelry are all born out of forgotten, discarded, and deadstock materials. Vintage fabrics and found stones she collects on cross-country travels become treasures that are given a totally new form in her hands — reimagined into pieces to be cherished all over again. As a result, not only are the garments and accessories she’s producing sustainable due to their low-impact nature, but they also come to their customer with a little extra soul.
The eponymous line is based in California, and the Golden State’s landscape and history has certainly influenced the designer’s aesthetic. Think loose tailoring, a sunset-inspired palette, floral motifs, and silhouettes that nod to the past while still feeling fresh. Jess Meany pieces start at $60 (for a cotton selvage bandana) to $620 for a bespoke cocoon coat. But what makes the clothing, jewelry, and accessories so earth-friendly is also what makes it so rare, so if you fall for one of these nostalgic and beautiful items, you should probably move fast — there may never be another quite like it.
Stay up to date with Jess Meany on Instagram here or start shopping on the website here.
July 8, 2021
By Ashley Tibbits