First place in Western Pleasure
Andrew Hinkley - Menswear designer
Last month I interviewed menswear designer Andrew Hinkley.
For the past 10+, Andrew and his partner Jessica have been my next door neighbors, often hosting me for a Gin martini or greeting me in the driveway in a Kimono. They live a life that’s rooted in many of their shared interests; travel, food, architecture, design and art. All of which inspires Andrew’s work as a designer and Jessica’s real estate business. Their home is filled with a unique collection of mid century modern & hand made ceramics, artwork depicting the American Southwest and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture making for a warm and inviting space. I think of Andrew and Jessica’s home as being an extension of them and of Andrew’s personal style, so I’m including some of my favorite interior details here as way of telling his story.
DK: Tell me your name and all about you?
AH: My name is Andrew Hinkley. I'm a menswear designer. I went to school for fashion design at Otis Parsons in Los Angeles in 1989.
DK: Why did you choose to go to school in LA instead of New York?
AH: I just have such an affinity for Los Angeles. I have a big community here and there’s a pretty robust fashion business too. I’ve also been really inspired by my family. My Uncle Jim Hinkley who is a ceramicist went to Otis Parsons, Aunt Mary Hinkley who is a fashion illustrator and her husband Rick both went to Art Center.
DK: Where did you grow up?
AH: I spent my earliest years in Pasadena, living in Cal Tech student housing while my Dad was getting his PhD. At the same time, my Mom was at CalArts. In '75 we moved to a little town in Colorado called Evergreen. I lived in Colorado for about 12 years total.
DK: Do you think living in Colorado impacted the way that you design clothes and see things?
AH:
Yes absolutely! One of the really big things, during those years of my life was riding and showing Quarter Horses. I spent years traveling all over the western slope of Colorado with this couple who were incredibly formative and inspirational people for me. Their names were Jean and Lee Gravell. Jean was a rodeo queen from Texas and her husband Lee was a real legit Texas cowboy. I would go to their ranch every day after school to work on the ranch, ride, and train to show horses.
Andrew wearing some of his fave fits in this little video.
For Andrew’s personally curated map of Pasadena, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez click here. It’s loaded with he and Jessica’s favorite spots for shopping, antiquing, eating and wine!
DK: What did you wear during that time?
AH:
That was the '70s and early '80s, there was a lot of that LEVI'S stay-press polyester pants with Western details and Western shirts with all kinds of great detailings. Of course, we had to wear legit Western wear for the shows. I always had a belt and a buckle. I once won first place in Western Pleasure and won a buckle I wore for years and years. The '70s and '80s and Western pleasure show circles were amazing.
DK: When did you realize you wanted to be a fashion designer?
AH: I realized in high school that I wanted to be in fashion. I loved clothes back then. I was rocking the OPs and Lightning Bolt, I skated and biked and did BMX and stuff like that.
DK: What was your first job?
AH: My first job was one of the most memorable times of my life. I went to work for X-Large. What those guys were doing in the street wear scene was so great, I was involved in the whole thing, all of the design process, and it was amazing. The parties that those guys used to throw were some of the most epic.
DK: What are you up to now?
AH: Ive been designing the Menswear collection for Velvet for the last for 13 years.
DK: What are the things that you go back to over and over again to feel good in your skin and continue to be creative.
AH: My self-care is grounded in physical activity, weight training and boxing which I do multiple days a week. I have a home gym, and I also have an amazing gym that I'm a member of here in Pasadena called Strong Sports Social Club. Without that club, I don't know, I may not be quite exactly the person that I am today. They've really aided me in an incredible, physical program that has enriched my life so much.
AH: I want to mention Jess too, she’s such an important part of my life and keeps me grounded. She is such a positive person and really truly lives in the moment, and doesn't worry about the future too much which keeps me in a better head space. We cook together all the time.
Andrew’s favorite spots in Pasadena, Santa Barbara / Montecito & up the Central Coast
DK: Is travel part of your self-care and or do you find it inspiring?
AH: Yes absolutely. We travel locally a lot, we love to pack up and go to Santa Barbara for the weekend, and sometimes go up farther into Santa Ynez / Los Olivos. There's so much food and wine up there to be had, we really love it. I love the old California architectural aspect of Santa Barbara. There are also some people up there that are incredibly inspiring to me. One of them, is a guy named Michael Haskell.
He has a store in Montecito that is all old California antiques, old Spanish and Navajo blankets, jewelry and paintings. Walking into his store is the most magical thing for me ever. He takes the time to walk me through and tell me about things, he's so knowledgeable about old California history, and I love it.
Another person is Terry Pillow, who was one of the founders of Tommy Bahama. He worked for the likes of Ralph Lauren. He worked for Giorgio Armani. And I have to say, if I were to pick one person who's my style icon, it's him.
Terry has the most amazing personal style. Classic handmade monogrammed shirts with a tie held by a sterling collar bar, mixed with frayed khaki shorts and sandals. His long flowing gray hair and genuine smile truly light up a room.
I'm blown away by what he's wearing and how he treats people. He started a leather business called Homer after his grandfather. The artisans he has designing custom bags are so talented and inspiring. I have one of their carryall bags that I tote everyday and I'll carry that till I die.
DK: How do you see your collection of Native American jewelry and weavings connecting to your work and life?
AH: The jewelry and weavings that the Navajo did are really inspirational to me, the beauty of the objects and the quality of the weavings. Incorporating these things into my life with special pieces from old California and my ceramics collection is so important to me.
Checkout Andrew’s Spotify playlist here
See Andrew’s instagram feed here
See his Velvet collection here
PROCESSED NOTES:
Weight lifting is a vital form of exercise as we age in fighting against sarcopenia ( a decline in muscle mass, strength, and function ).
Travel Having new experiences is beneficial for improving brain function and boosting your mental health. Travel has been linked to stress reduction and can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Even a day trip can shift your perspective and help to get ideas moving when you’re creatively blocked.
Creating a space that feels it reflects you personally and aesthetically can help promote creativity and improve your mood. Decorating your home or office can be super important, especially if you’re a highly sensitive person which many creatives are.
If you’re new here, Processed notes is where I review my takeaways from each interview. Tools and rituals to be added to boost your emotional sustainability, mental health and creativity )