Kiel James Patrick - The perfect preppy accessory!

In case you have never heard of him (which would shock me as Kiel seems to be everywhere these days!), Kiel James Patrick has the most super duper bracelets in all sorts of colours and patterns, all of them uber preppy!  Natch!  He was kind enough to send me a couple to review - such a tough job I have!  They arrived last week and I have had the chance to try them out, judge the quality and shmooze a little with their creator.

From The KJP Website...

The concept for the Kiel James Patrick brand, and the original KJP bracelets, began when I was in prep school. I used to shop in antique and vintage clothing stores, and rummage through friends' attics, always looking for classic-styled clothing from an older era that was long forgotten.

I ultimately became obsessed with the simplicity and superior craftsmanship of old clothing. This was something you could no longer find in current fashions. Family tartans, English regimental stripes, high quality woven wool from Scotland and Ireland, and jacquard woven silk ties captured my imagination from a fashion design standpoint.

By combining these classic patterns and fabrics, I began creating small, detailed fashion accessories, which I would wear myself. My goal was to make my own fashion statement, and allow myself to feel a bit like an individual during my high school years.

Everything I design is handcrafted in the United States. Other designers ship off their designs to various countries to save a few bucks, and wind up selling low-quality or inferior and generic-looking products.

The Kiel James Patrick signature brass buttons, for example, are made down the street at Urschell Tool, a company that specializes in belt buckles and military pins. Meanwhile, our handcrafted leatherwork is all done a few miles from the KJP offices, at Bren Corporation in Johnston, Rhode Island.

Our fabrics are all purchased locally, from Rhode Island and Boston area businesses, and the nautical rope we use comes from T.W. Evan in Cranston, Rhode Island. Even our production is based in my home state of Rhode Island.

Our five-room design studio, which is also the KJP headquarters, is in Rhode Island, just a few miles from where I grew up. As we expand our product lines and grow the Kiel James Patrick brand, I will continue supporting local businesses, and providing new jobs to the people from my community.

This is the Breshex Louie pattern in size small on my teensie little wrist

Kiel has come out with a new collection for Fall 2010 including the all new Skinny Fit bracelets!  They are 7/8" instead of 1.25" that the original designs still come in.  This is such a genius move!  Wearing the thicker bracelets all summer is easy when we are wearing short sleeves all the time but I had actually packed away my original KJP bracelet as I know it would be a bit too thick under sweaters.  Now we have an excuse to buy them for Autumn and Winter too!

The photo above is a Skinny Fit in Breshexx Louis and as you can see it would be perfect with every LLBean sweater in your closet!  Kiel told me I am the only person to ever notice the difference in the colour patterns - mine has pink in it, the one shown on the KJP website has mostly beige stripes on it - which wouldn't surprise anyone who knows me well...I will pick out the tiniest detail!  Keil explained the pattern repeat is wider than the length of the bracelet plus it is cut on the bias which means each one will be slightly different.  I love that!  Kiel is all about the details - I mean just look at the reverse side - every bracelet has quality fabrics on the front and the back.

Kiel also sent me a Skinny Fit bracelet in Druxbury Fulton which is just the perfect Autumn accessory!  I havn't had the chance to wear it out yet but I did try it on and love it and it goes with all of my Autumn clothes!  As with all KJP products it has been made with top quality materials and is made to last.  I am sure I will be 70, buying the next Lisa Birnbach book while wearing a KJP bracelet, embroidered cords and a turtleneck. 

KJP isn't just about bracelets...there are belts and headbands made in the same style with the same quality!

Kiel isn't alone in his quest to adorn the wrists, heads and waists of every preppy in the world...Sarah and Hannah are also a part of the business!  From Kiel...

Hannah is our favorite intern ever. Sarah aids me in adding feminine touches to the designs as my designs sometime tend to be a little too masculine. Sarah also picks wardrobe for marketing and dressing our help for any events we are having.

As if that isn't enough...here are some more reasons to love KJP!

- Free shipping on all domestic orders!  This includes Canada!
- Kiel is good friends with his iron - he even showed me one of his freshly ironed t-shirts!
- The man can sew! 
- He started with an idea...earned the money to back it and made a success of it!
- He answers all of his emails in a timely fashion - I love this!
- KJP customer service is outstanding!

I hope you didn't think we wouldn't be doing a giveaway as well! 

Kiel has offered 2...yes 2 of his bracelets for you to win!

There are lots of ways to earn entries - do them all or as many as you feel like!

- Leave a comment - 1 entry
- Follow this blog - 1 entry
- Blog about this giveaway - 1 entry
- Put this giveaway on your sidebar - 1 entry
- Be a fan of Suburban Princess on Facebook - 1 entry
- Be a fan of Kiel James Patrick on Facebook - 1 entry
- Post about this giveaway on Facebook - 1 entry
- Follow me on Twitter - 1 entry
- Follow Kiel James Patrick on Twitter - 1 entry
- Tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry
- Go to the Kiel James Patrick site and tell me which pattern you love best - 5 entries

Please put all of your entries in one post (ok, two if you need to) so it is easy for me to count up. Please don't leave a new comment for each entry.

I do notice if you only post on my giveaways!
The winners will be drawn on Monday, September 27th.

Good luck everyone!

In case you are wondering...my favourite KJP item...

Mischievous Vickers!

PS...I have added 'KJP bracelet named after me' to my 2011 goals!

Have a fabulous day!