KELSEY WALKER
Breaking the Mold: ANYKIND Handmade with Jesse MacKenzie
Style: it’s a distinct element of expression. Some of the greatest street fashion comes from striking a balance between classic staples and unique, original pieces. There’s just something special about having that one of a kind item – something that’s exclusively yours. Since 2011, Georgia native Jesse MacKenzie has been giving life to found vintage materials with ANYKIND Handmade by creating eye-catching accessories that are both stylish and functional.
All photos courtesy of Anykind Handmade.
Original article for Culture Snack Magazine.
The first thing Jesse ever sewed was a pincushion for her mom.
“It was supposed to be shaped like a heart, but the stretchy fabric made it look like a kidney bean,” she laughed, “I was so proud of it.”
After getting her grandma to teach her to sew, word spread through the grapevine and family members started sending her boxes of vintage fabric from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Pretty soon, she was making her own accessories and wearing them to school. She loved the reactions from classmates when they’d ask where she got them. Jesse said, “People weren’t expecting a seventh grader to say, ‘I made it.’” Before she knew it, she was addicted to the craft.
Jesse’s line ANYKIND Handmade started in Charleston, South Carolina and has followed her through moves to Saratoga Springs, New York and now to Norfolk with her husband. Using anything that catches her eye, she has a knack for finding cool, underrated fabrics and turning them into funky yet classy pieces that mix well into any wardrobe. Her collection has expanded from the more simple pouches and hair bows to shoulder bags, clutches, bow ties, and buttons.
She’s most inspired when she finds a new fabric or something unlike anything she’s ever seen before, whether it's from a vintage slipcover, curtain, or even tablecloth. When selecting pieces, she looks at several factors to determine whether it would make a good bag: texture, structure, and feel. If the fabric is lucky enough to meet her standards, it’s on to its new, repurposed life in her workshop.
Another source of inspiration are the vintage magazines and books Jesse sifts through for her buttons, ANYKIND’s most recent addition.
“A lot of the stuff in the magazines – I feel like people would be really surprised to see how modern it looks away from the context of the old cigarette ads,” Jesse added, “Some of it was really simple, but some of it was just really bold and graphic.”
I personally own three pouches, all of various sizes and each unique in their own way. With some simple wardrobe coordination, they add a perfect pop of personality and style to any outfit. Most of them hold the “party in the back, business in the front” essence –one side of the clutch or pouch is usually bright and funky, while the other side has a more classic look, usually sporting hand-painted or hand-stamped polka dots or stripes in a basic color pallet. More recently, an upgraded serger (a machine used for overlock stitching) allows Jesse to make clean edges and leather detailing that pops. The result is a unique, well-structured bag that holds up well to day trips with friends and nights out in the city.
Whether you’re shopping for a friend or looking for a little self-indulgence, ANYKIND Handmade helps add an effortlessly cool essence to any outfit. Check out her stuff at Kitsch (Norfolk), MOCA (VB), Tin Top Art and Handmade (Winchester) or Back Talk (Portland).
Find ANYKIND on social media, Etsy, and her website at http://www.anykindhandmade.com/about/