In 2020, stuck in my home and exclusively wearing soft clothes, I became deeply engrossed in the practice of repurposing textiles. Not myself—I’m no textile historian and I definitely can’t sew—but over the last several years I’ve been collecting vintage table linens and antique fabric remnants for fun and it was interesting to see a trend emerge around it. There are people that will argue that things should be preserved the way they are for the rest of time, but I’m mostly of the belief that reimagining the use of a piece of fabric that is otherwise sitting in a box in an attic (or worse and more likely, headed towards its fate in a landfill) gives it another chance at life.
Jess Meany quickly became my favorite of the designers working in this space: her 12 year-long career in textile development and commitment to rescuing fabrics destined for the dumpster shows in the beautifully tailored pieces that she makes under her eponymous brand. “My background has been in material development working for really great brands like Rag & Bone and Opening Ceremony,” Jess shared with me, “however, this is a story about how to use what is already in existence instead of creating new fabrics and trims each season.” Because of the limited amount of materials they bring in, Jess and her team of two cut and sew each piece made-to-order using deadstock, vintage, obsolete, antique, or archival textiles right here in LA, a process that allows her to offer her customers customized sizing and specifications with quick turnaround times.
When I finally met Jess over Zoom a few weeks ago it was incredibly clear how thoughtful and intentional she is in what she does. I love the dreamy, gardeny, warmly lit world that is Jess Meany the brand, but in talking to her I realized that Jess Meany the person embodies every bit of that feeling in the way she works and lives her life. I’m such a fan and I think you will be too.
I asked Jess 3 questions:
Ali LaBelle: Imagine perfect happiness. What does it smell, taste, feel and sound like?
Jess Meany: Something I learned maybe a bit too recently is that the life I am living right now is one I am truly happy with. I don't have a particularly lavish life, I don't travel or go out to meals much, but I am living a life day-to-day that I am really grateful for. I have my health, a community, my partner, and work that I truly enjoy. So anyways, here is perfect happiness to me:
— Taste: I bought a little portable fire pit for the backyard, and I like building a fire & letting dinner cook directly on it for a while, maybe up to a couple hours. It is super rewarding to nail a special dinner like steak, fish, or lamb this way!
— Sound: My next door neighbors have three big dogs that bark in the morning. I take it as my cue to go outside and pet them through the fence everyday. One is a doodle puppy. Best way to start the day.
— Smell: I lived in Brooklyn for most of my adult life, and the first thing I noticed when I moved to Los Angeles was the smell of sage on a hot hike. This smell now always reminds me of how excited I was about trying out a new place to live.
— Feel: OK, my favorite thing in the whole world is a clean pair of socks. In a hypothetically lavish world where there is no waste, I would have a brand new pair of socks every single day. I also like clean bedsheets and clean towels. Cotton textures are the best, and lucky for me I work with handling those every day.
AL: Give us a rec!
JM: I'd like to share a recipe from my German great-grandmother, Nana.
Known in our family as Ball Soup, this is a tomato based soup that features "balls" formed together by beef marrow and bread crumbs. The whole thing simmers over a bottom round that you can slice for sandwiches on rye bread throughout the week. My grandmother wrote this recipe down in her normal cadence. It is quirky, leaves out a lot of measurements, and might take you a try or two to get it right. But in the end it signifies family, and feeds a crowded table of hungry people who have all traveled quite far to see one another.
AL: It’s a table for two and your dinner date can be anyone. Who do you invite?
JM: My dad for sure. He passed away from a fight with cancer and I constantly wish I could sit across the table from him and go over all of the things I can't remember about family stories, jokes and my childhood moments. He had an arsenal of wit and this wildly big laugh. He could get the whole room on his side, even if you didn't really want to be on his side you would just give in because he was so loud. He often gave the worst advice and was always really passionate about it. He exaggerated his stories, and he would write long emails at night about whatever he was adamant about. It was always a really fun time with Dad around, I miss him. He was a great dinner companion and I can't think of anyone I would want to share a meal with more.
Jess, thank you so much for being here! Jess and her team just dropped a group of late summer pieces on their site inspired by wispy cirrus clouds, bright red produce at the farm stand, and florals that you would find flourishing in the hot, high sun. Keep an eye on their Instagram for when they get new textiles or release new pieces because they go quick — I’m patiently waiting for a white cutout lace Olivia Jacket to come back around!
x
Ali
In case you missed it:
Last week’s Side Order was Parent Trap themed, and interestingly the section that got the most activity by way of clicks was the Meredith assortment! Fascinating.
I wrote a little something about an activity I do on vacation to catalog inspiration and I’ve been seeing some of you trying it on your own travels, which warms my heart.
Notes Of, my new mood board column, kicked off with a tomato season-inspired exploration.
And later this week for the paid subscriber crew: thoughts on feeling creatively insecure!!! And some fun stuff to balance it out.
Thank you for this wonderful interview and introduction. I went to Jess’s beautiful shop and bought a coat I will wear for the rest of my life-all from dead stock fabric. Can’t wait to wear it this fall. 💕