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I recently had a chat with owner and designer Kiel James Patrick about his line of accessories and how being a prep school rebel is paying off big time.

How was the look of your line inspired?
Back in high school I had an obsession with golf and I would hang around the golf clubs.

I also drew inspiration from high society events where their outfits clashed but still seemed to work. It felt like a sea of patterns – polka dots, stripes and plaid designs.

I made wristbands and incorporated those patterns into the design – it felt like I was rebelling against my prep school uniform.

How did your line get started?
In college I began selling the wristbands out of my dorm.

Kiel's first year in business was started by selling to friends of friends.

We sold our bracelets at a local craft show and sold hundreds. We started getting buttons made with our logo and stores started contacting us. Eventually we started a website.

Can you offer some style tips?
With this economy it’s not a great idea to buy that $600 dress when you can use the wardrobe you already have and dress it up. Something small can change your outfit — adding a belt or an earring can make an old outfit look completely new.

Your designs have a timeless Americana style. Who embodies this era in your opinion?
I’m very inspired by the 1960′s — it was a very classic era. The Kennedys are a huge inspiration and we’ve named a few bracelets after them.

All of your products are made in the US — it’s very easy and cost-efficient to have things made in overseas factories, why have you stayed away from that and kept everything relatively local?
It’s been a challenge but it’s worth the sacrifice to bring work locally. Rhode Island is known for jewelry making, we have local crafters who’ve done this for over 25 years. Down the road from our studio is a military pin company that makes all of our buttons.

I want people to know these products are made by people you would expect to be making them, when your buying the product your actually buying the lifestyle we’re good at making these things.

When you’re not designing what do you enjoy doing most?
I’m very outdoorsy. I love hiking, skiing and sailing — on a hot day you’ll see me at the beach. Our line lends itself to that way of living.

Caroline Lee Bouvier Price: $35.00

Two stores in the Delray Beach area carry your line. What sells the best?
The contemporary styles do well. Customers lean towards the brighter “beachy” looks.

Delray Locations
Snappy Turtle: 1100 East Atlantic Avenue
The Love Shack: 137 East Atlantic Avenue

What upcoming projects are you working on?
We’re working with Dartmouth College, and Harvard has approached us to do some exclusive designs for them. The college line will have the college logos and plaids.

Related Photos:
Class Acts: Back-to-School fashion