On a day like any other, KZ_K Studio’s founders, Jesse Keyes and Karolina Zmarlak, found themselves deeply fascinated with the second season of White Lotus. Since then, their creative minds have come together to create a summery expedition that took them through Italy’s storied heritage. The brand, which was founded in 2009 by Karolina Zmarlak, a visionary fashion designer, and Jesse Keys, an architect-turned-entrepreneur, conceptualized KZ_K Studio as a beacon of modernist elegance in the middle of New York City’s bustling streets.
For them, it was about creating responsibly, a breath of fresh air in a world where fast-fashion marketing and mindless consumption are what’s in. As the enigmatic and controversial Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.” While this may ring true, for most individuals who are in the know, regular people don’t see the difference between being trendy and stylish. The designers sought to highlight how important it is to create meaningful connections for its clientele; to do this, they made a lineup of wardrobe essentials that disregard excessive decoration in favor of timeless sophistication.
For the conception of their latest collection, RENAISSANCE MOD, Keyes and Zmarlak’s keen eye for detail and passion for design fixed on the works of renowned architects such as Carlo Scarpa and Gio Ponti, two of the most famous names in Italian modernist architecture, subsequently, they also looked to the Museo Abatellis in Palermo and the towering presence of the Pirelli Tower in Milan for further inspiration.
They started with the picturesque town of Taormina, and from there, their itinerary went through the old country, marveling at the legendary structures that made the Roman Empire the architectural marvel that it is until this day. The luxury slow fashion brand wanted to take its audience on a journey beyond the usual stereotype of the Italian way of life and succeeded. Through these incredible experiences, Zmarlak, the Creative Director of KZ_K Studio, found inspiration to fuse their discoveries with the brand’s ethos of minimalism and functionality.
At the heart of the RENAISSANCE’D MOD Collection lies the studio’s all-encompassing philosophy of simplification, streamlining, and liberation through function. Whether through innovative silhouettes or transformative functionalities, every garment reflects the meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design ethos of KZ_K Studio.
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Image credits:
E-COMMERCE PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN BLANCHARD | CAMPAIGN PHOTOGRAPHER BELLAMY BREWSTER | MAKE UP RISA MIYAMOTO | HAIR SERINA TAKEI | PRODUCTION MANAGER ERIKA CHONG-MUÑOZ | STYLE OUT ESTEFANIA CASTAÑEDA | MODEL NOA SAMASSA | CAMPAIGN SHOOT LOCATION BETHESDA TERRACE | E-COMMERCE SHOOT LOCATION 9 STUDIOS
