A few weeks back I spent the afternoon admiring a new LA made shoe line in person for the first time. I stumbled upon Behavior LA through Instagram and was immediately a fan. The shoes have clean lines and an architectural vibe that is unique, yet fully wearable and practical. A combination that is sometimes hard to find.
I walked into our meeting at The Line Hotel realizing I had forgotten designer Jennifer Kim's number and wondering how I would spot her. It was of course easier than I thought, she sat impeccably dressed exuding the same flawless style that had drawn me to her shoes. Jennifer is no newbie to fashion, she received her degree at Parsons in New York then spent 8 years designing for large fashion houses. Although still a creative industry, designing on a cooperate level does not allow for artistic freedom or any sort of control over manufacturing standards. Behavior LA is an expression of Jennifer's true aesthetic, a way for her to rekindle the passion that lead her to design. Not only that, it has given her the ability to manufacture within her own moral standards.
Jennifer wanted to create a line that is balanced, in both an artful and mindful way. Shapes that are aesthetically balanced in her designs and a business model that incorporates sustainability, longevity and quality. Behavior LA as the name suggests is designed and produced in Los Angeles. The wooden heels are hand carved by a family run shoemaker, who has been in business since the 1970's. The leathers are locally sourced small batch and/or vegetable dyed. Not only does Jennifer love supporting other local businesses, but she loves the connection to the fabrication process.
"As a small business producing locally gives me more control over time and decision making. I have always been hands on when it comes to development, so being able to reach out to my manufacturer easily allows us to troubleshoot and manage things together. It's a much more organic, collaborative process."
Behavior LA launches today, view the collection at www.behaviorla.com + follow along @behavior_la. Lookbook photos below shot by Louis Trinh.
