KENT STETSON

SHOP KENT STETSON HANDBAGS ONLINE

kflipflop — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:52:40 +0000

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR KENT STETSON HANDBAGS ONLINE

One of a Kind

kflipflop — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:24:47 +0000

Although it is a thrill to make bags for some big clients like Nordstrom and Fred Segal Rocks, I enjoy honoring my roots as a one-of-a-kind designer. It is somewhat of a rarity to find that these days, and I enjoy sorting through fabric remnants, dis-assembling old garments, and finding just the perfect accent as the inspiration for a bag. Karol Richardson in Newport, RI is where I got my first opportunity to sell my handbags back in the summer of 2003. I have vivid memories of riding the ferry from Providence to Newport on a beautiful day, with my bag full of goodies. I found Karol Richardson by mistake actually, I was intending to show my work to another store and I couldn’t find it. Newport has a relatively small retail district if that is any indication of my poor sense of direction, after all this was before the days of gps devices in cell phones. I timidly asked the owner, Natasha, if I could show her my bags- so as not to lead me on she informed me that they had already bought their merchandise for the next two seasons. When she saw my work she agreed to make an exception. You can imagine how rewarding that felt for me. Since then I have made bags for them every season, and many of them can not be replicated. For that reason, many of the bags I make for them are quite different from the bags I offer through my regular wholesale business. Today I delivered bags for their holiday season, and here are pictures of some of them.

Ode to a tomato

kflipflop — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:52:22 +0000

What I look forward to most about late summer in New England are fresh heirloom tomatoes. I frequent the local farmers market looking for the most gargantuan one I can find- slicing it open reveals a structure that resembles the cross-section of a brain. I eat them raw, in thick slabs that resemble steaks. I lament the passing of the season, only to be consoled by the return of pomegranates, juicy oranges, and squash.

It has been about 2 weeks since I have seen any heirloom tomatoes for sale, so I was surprised to find them while I was at the nearest joe-sixpack corporate mega-supermarket. Locally grown, and blemish free, I had to have it. I would have paid any price for it, but $1.49 was all they asked. In the unlikeliest of places, I found something so beautiful, and the anticipation of enjoying it made my otherwise-gloomy day seem pleasant.

Knowing that this will probably be the last heirloom tomato I get to eat for at least another 8 months, let alone probably one of the last tomatoes that isn’t mealy or hard as a rock, I knew that it deserved a portrait. Isn’t she beautiful?

I prepared this tomato by washing it and slicing it raw. I drizzled just a little truffle oil, a little cracked pepper, a sprinkle of butcher salt, and a few red pepper flakes. So simple, and this dish really captures the end of summer for me, I will cherish it until next year.

8/6-9/10/08

kflipflop — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:28:05 +0000

OK, so first of all, I am sooo sorry for being such a flaky blogger. If you have hit my site multiple times in the past month, I apologize, I feel bad for you. I have given you nothing new. Here’s a brief recap:

Addicted to the olympics 8/8/08-8/25/08

Property management overdrive 8/26/08-9/4/08

Brooklyn/New York City Go Go Go 9/5/08-9/7/08

We stayed at Storey and Ravi’s gorgeous new condo in Brooklyn on Friday

We saw a matinee of the riveting too-many-awards-to-count play “August:Osage County”

Partied with Scott + Tracy Schiller (Hollah!)

Stayed in a dreamy suite at the Roger Smith Hotel in Manhatten (see the pics below)

palatial bathroom

we had a living room with fireplace in our hotel room!

Enigmo for iPhone defeated in 3 days, just shy of 1 million points 9/8/08-9/10/08

I’ve also found time to make a bunch of bags, and I sold these two paintings (Thank you!)

“MAPPING IT OUT” 2008 acrylic, metal mesh, sequins

“FOUR SQUARE” Inkjet on canvas and silk, wood. Images derived from digital interference patterns

700 to 799

kflipflop — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:38:20 +0000

I found it peculiar that the fine arts are in the same category as sports in the Dewey decimal classification. With the olympics approaching, I have discovered that there are sports that truly cross the line from athleticism to the inspired. Take some time to check the listings and see if you can catch any of these magnificent sports:

Rhythmic gymanstics

rhythmic gymnastics montage

Sports Acrobatics

Sports acrobatics

Synchronized Swimming

Russian synchronized swimming demonstration

trampoline

mens trampoline

power tumbling

mens power tumbling

Most of these sports will not get ample air time, but check your listings, if you catch them you will certainly be amazed.

And lastly, one sport missing from the olympics, dear to my heart. Watch this and you will be amazed!

watch?v=LdkE9fvBsjI

Keeping it Local

kflipflop — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 03:33:30 +0000

Those close to me know that my lifestyle involves a faithful yoga regimen and strict vegan diet. As a handbag designer, my commitment to social responsibility and the environment is paramount. I do use a fair amount of leather and silk in my creations. Part of the reason for this is my belief that the energy required to create synthetic materials, combined with the fact that many of these man-made materials require thousands of years to biodegrade, are significant factors that justify the use of animal products in some of my work. Still, about half of my designs are vegan. I also choose to ship many of my bags in a pine wood box. The wood is milled locally, and comes from providers who believe strongly in re-forestation. By using the wooden case, it is my belief that the handbags will last longer- and encourage buyers to enjoy their purchase longer, hopefully consuming less over the course of the years in favor of the timeless quality my handbags represent.

I am proud to create bags that use every local resource I can find. Providence is still a hub for the costume jewelry industry, despite much of this industry moving overseas. It takes a lot of components to make a bag, and I feel that the fuel consumption I am able to conserve by using local manufacturers for my supplies decreases my burden to the environment. With a local economy that is struggling, it is my hope that I can help to stimulate the businesses who provide me with such outstanding service. I am proud to use many local businesses, including the following companies:

G & A Plating

Van & Company

R & R Polishing

Lorraine Fabrics

Rainbow Leather

Abea Leather

Wolfe E. Myrow

W. E. Jackson

And many more…

Fall 2009 Design Statement

kflipflop — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 03:14:23 +0000

Senior Moment

kflipflop — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:04:46 +0000

Today as I drove off from the market on my daily fresh food shopping I started thinking about the amount of gas I use just driving to buy groceries. I wondered about the environmental impact of this, and starting thinking about a market carpool. I don’t know why, but my mind meandered and I began to ponder about how difficult it must be for elderly people who are no longer able to drive. I wonder if my trips to the supermarket could be a useful way to run some errands for someone who can’t just make a run out to buy groceries. I imagine being confined in my old age and wonder what will happen if I am in this situation. What if I don’t have children who can take care of these things? This scary realization makes me think of people who are alone and need some company and perhaps a hand with simple tasks. If you are reading this and you have any suggestions how I might be able to get involved with helping ease the burden on some elderly person in my area, let me know. I want to help.

The Midas Touch.

kflipflop — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:23:40 +0000

Yesterday I awoke and went downstairs to admire the two dozen “Chain Reaction” clutch bags lined up on my dining room table ready to pack up and ship out with my orders next week. I noticed that the chain fringe that dangles from the bottom of this fabulous clutch had lost its luster. I took out some white vinegar and attempted to polish the chains and to my horror the plating came right off, leaving a horrendous stain on the cleaning rag. My mind started whirling, imagining the stains to my customer’s fabulous clothing. In a fury I took one of the pieces of chains to a plating factory and they confirmed that the chain was badly plated. I took apart all of the bags and removed the chains and had them plated with 24 carat gold. Several hundred dollars and less than 24 hours later I got my chains back, fabulously shiny, and I just finished re-inserting them back into each bag. I could have just ignored this problem and wished it away, but chances are good that it would have come back to haunt me later. I made the only choice possible, and I hope that my extra effort helps these bags fly off the shelves and into the wardrobes of fabulous women across the country. Cross your fingers for me…

That’s my bag…

kflipflop — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:40:49 +0000

Here are some new samples for spring. My first larger day bag, and a special evening bag with an embroidered pattern of dripping paint on silk.