This past week we launched our collaboration with ONE/OF, an NYC-based brand that creates elevated, one-of-a-kind pieces using reclaimed materials. Founder Patricia Voto, whose extensive experience in fashion and keen eye for detail is evident in each design, combined KULE’s happy and playful designs with ONE/OF’s whimsy and romance, creating a truly special collection. 

We had the pleasure of talking with Patricia about her background in fashion, what inspires her, her love of Italy, and the best place to spend a fancy night in NYC. Without further ado: meet Patricia!

I am a New Yorker born and raised. I studied at Parsons and received a BFA in Product Design. In 2009, I developed my senior thesis just as sustainable practices and climate discussions were gaining traction across many industries. The concept was a timely closed-loop manufacturing process of luxury goods in developing countries. This idea coincided with the emergence of brands like Suno and Alabama Chanin. At the time, only a few companies were implementing responsible practices, so I pursued working with emerging brands at the designer level. While our practices were better than in the mass fashion market, we still had leftover fabrics at the end of each season, and they started to add up. It dawned on me that something could be done with the fabrics aside from collecting dust. That’s when I decided to ask our creative directors if I could take some [of the leftover fabric] and make something out of it for myself. And the idea of ONE/OF was born. – Patricia Voto

I love seeing these precious fabrics become something our clients can cherish and wear forever. I want to create pieces that fit a body perfectly and be the first thing you reach for in your closet – it’s surreal to see people embracing what we make and how we make it. Our creative process starts with the fabrics. It’s an emotional process for us. We fall in love with the materials we find throughout the world. Knowing they’re finite, we carefully and creatively pair them with the perfect silhouette.

Now for some tea 🫖 with a quick round of questions!

KULE Betty Sweater

ONE/OF Jessica Skirt

ONE/OF Thais Mockneck Sweater

Commission Jeans No. 2

What would you do if you didn’t work in fashion?

I would have my own gift-giving websites with all different combinations of gift boxes. I love giving gifts: a beautiful soap set from a trip I took, a set of lotions, or a uniquely scented candle. These small things make up how we live our lives and bring so much joy into our lives. While studying at Parsons, I used to work at Kate’s Paperie and learned all of the Japanese gift wrapping styles: mixing papers, pleating, and beautiful knotting. I find the presentation is equally as important as the gift itself!

What are some specific gifts you would recommend?

– Soap: I love Laguna Cyprien’s Soaps. They come in beautiful shapes and beautiful packaging. I gift them and use them daily. 

– Lotion: Nature of Things makes the best body creme.

– Lipstick: Folk Orange is my go-to color from Dries Van Noten in the Spring/Summer. It looks great with a tan. I love the refillable cases, too. 

– Candles: We are obsessed with Maison D’Etto. We carry the candles in the studio. I love all the scents, but Karat EG and Canaan are the studio favorite.

Laguna Cyprien Soaps

Nature of Things Body Creme

Dries Van Noten "Folk Orange"

Maison D'Etto Candle

What does a work day look like for you, and what do you do on the weekends for pleasure? 

Work days are busy! We have clients in our studio all the time for fittings, we have meetings with fabric mills and our factories. It is really non-stop and we are so lucky to have such incredible clients who are really supportive of our mission. Weekends, I like to go visit my family, especially my niece and nephew, in New Jersey. Reality TV shows are a true guilty pleasure that I love to indulge in during our moments of downtime.

Where is your favorite place to travel? Where would you live if not NYC?

Italy. Definitely Italy. Rome has to be my favorite city. 

Thank you to Patricia for your time to talk and for creating this collection we are so proud of with us! To shop ONE/OF x KULE, visit KULE Rockefeller Center, where it is exclusively sold. If you can’t make it to the store, click here to make a virtual shopping appointment.

As an NYC-based brand, we love trying new restaurants and food trends in our amazing city. We fell in love with the “New York Happy Meal” concept–a martini + fries–from Grub Street’s Newsletter, The Year I Ate New York, by E. Alex Jung. We also happen to know some pretty kule people who know where to find this perfect combo, so we got their takes on where to find the absolute best—no surprise toy required. Read on for your next very, very happy meal 🍸🍟.

We asked some of our friends who know their way around the NYC martini + fry scene to recommend the absolute best:

Susie Park, Creative Consultant and Martini Connoisseur

Currently, my martini order is basically like someone ordering at Starbucks: Titos martini, dry, slightly dirty — the opposite of catholic school girl dirty, and no garnish (it takes away from the alcohol in my glass). My original is Kettle One martini, dirty, with extra olives.

The first time I had a Martini was at Pastis, the original location, at the communal table (which was filled with all of my friends). As a result, Pastis will always be one of my go-to Happy Meal spots, even at the new location. French fries are always ordered with aioli. JG Melon is my favorite NYC restaurant. They need to be mentioned. That said, their new fries are not my jam. Is there still a shortage of cottage fries? My order at JG Melon is a martini, fries (extra crispy) with a side of mayo, and bbq sauce. The back lounge at Greenwich Hotel, which is usually for hotel guests only, has fries on its menu. A cozy couch seat by the fire with a martini and fries, and a side of mustard is the perfect way to end a day. Polo Bar and Bemelmans Bar are honorable mentions. While not technically a “Happy Meal,” their snack caddies cannot be ignored. Plus, Bemelmans martinis come with a little sidecar.

At Pastis, I would wear a shapeless dress with puffy sleeves and KULE Betty striped sweater over my shoulders. At JG Melon, I would do jeans and a button-down, a KULE leopard cardigan, brown 20-year-old Gucci loafers from college, and heart socks. As for Greenwich Hotel: anything that looks like I’m coming from work, but really am coming from working on my couch. I’d throw one of the big striped totes in to complete my “work” look.

Zach Weiss, Head of Brand at Outerspace 3PL and Man About Town

No matter how fancy a restaurant or watering hole might be, I think the ultimate compliment you can pay to any fry is that it’s exactly like a McDonald’s fry, particularly regarding the width and crispiness. With that in mind, I think some of my favorite spots that get this right in New York are Raoul’s, The Standard Grill, Jojo, and The Polo Bar. On the martini front, I used to be a strict dirty-vodka martini, but these days I’ve been favoring the purity of the gin twist, probably due to spending too much time with some Brits this winter. If I’m feeling bold, I go for the Vesper, a combination of both gin and vodka with a bit of Lillet Blanc, or a Gibson with the little cocktail onions, provided it’s my last stop of the night, and my breath won’t be offending anyone I come across. 

As for the outfit, I’ve got no hard and fast rules there. This is always dictated by the chosen venue, the present company, and, frankly, whether I feel like putting on a tie. 

Alex Hill, Recipe Developer and Cooking Instructor

First is The Smith in The Flatiron. Let’s never hate on a chain restaurant with great bartenders! When I worked close by The Smith, my coworkers and I would go all the time for the mussels & fries and a good cold extra dirty martini with extra olives! I also like DUMBO House in Brooklyn. Although Dumbo House is membership-only, their fries are pretty slamming, be sure to get all the dips, including the garlic aioli, and their martinis are A++++! I mean, the rooftop overlooking the Brooklyn bridge while sipping on dirty martinis and eating hot fries is a win-win Friday night for me! 

I would def wear The Sinclair cardigan (in black, of course). It gives cute and casual, but you can dress it up or down! I’m definitely also a sneaker girl, and pairing them with statement socks adds a nice little touch. So, I could also do biker shorts, a crop top, and socks for cute for a martini & fries type of night.

Brian Solis, Head of Fashion at Dora Maar

I love having the NYC Happy Meal at two places in NYC and with Edward Barsamian. Bemelmams Bar at The Carlyle and The Nines. When ordering at the table at either establishment, they bring a small vessel of the remaining martini from the shaker to refresh as you sip. I am a vodka martini, preferably Grey Goose, shaken and slightly dirty with olives and, if possible, with shards of ice floating in the glass. No condiments with my fries in a NY Happy Meal. The martini balances the salty fries and makes the perfect pairing. My other go-to pairing with my fries is a side of mayo, but sans martini.

As for New York Happy Meal dressing: Bemelmans wear a classic three-button fitted blazer, wide-leg pants preferably pleated (maybe with texture), a classic white button down, and monk strap shoes with a chunky sole. At The Nines, I wear an oversized coat, great knit, straight-leg clean pants, and a sleek loafer.

Chloe King, Fashion Market and Editorial Director

I love a very dirty vodka martini, and for fries, I like ketchup, mayo, AND mustard (condiment fiend). One of my favs for this happy meal has to be The Odeon. Corner Bar is also delish. 

You know I don’t need much of a reason to get dressed up; last time I met up at Corner Bar for a martini, I wore a printed Helmstedt nightgown dress, striped (KULE!) socks, loafers, and a ski hat made out of raffia.

Jim Kuerschner, President at KULE

100% without a doubt, the answer is Edward’s in Tribeca. It’s a little hole in the wall (across from the more popular Odeon). It’s a neighborhood spot that always has a seat for you but with just the right amount of people to always feel cozy. When I was working in Canada, Jon and I would go there every Friday night when I flew home. They make a killer Pat La Frieda burger, cobb salad, and martini. And the fries are off the charts. For a martini: vodka, dirty, bone dry. For fries: gotta have ketchup. What more do you need? We had our wedding dinner at Edward’s there after getting married at City Hall in 2018. We are Edward’s’ #1 fans.

Dress code: everything from tuxes (i.e. my wedding) to tees (i.e. my daily life).

Sam Todd, Social Media and Marketing Consultant

My perfect NY Happy Meal is a dirty Hendricks martini with a few olives. (If I’m feeling indulgent, stuffed with blue cheese.) And for the fries, ketchup and nice grainy mustard are great, but mayo is absolutely required. As for the best spots to find one: Balthazar! Owner Keith McNally is up to his usual antics, and this will always be a no-brainer. I also love Fanelli Cafe, which has been one of the best places for an ice-cold martini (paired with a cheeseburger and fries) for decades. Then there’s The Odeon, another classic from Mr. McNally and one that has never let me down. Located right across the street is Edward’s, a lowkey spot that a certain gentleman by the name of James Kuerschner introduced me to years and years ago. I also love Julius in Greenwich Village. This one’s for the gays (although I recommend everyone visit Julius at some point while in NYC, no matter their persuasion) and especially for those who like their martinis very strong and very inexpensive. In The West Village are Jeffrey’s Grocery and its across-the-street sister (brother?) restaurant Joseph Leonard, which are some of the best spots to sit at the bar, chat with a bartender (who will most likely be the kindest person you speak with all day), and have a fantastic ‘tini. Last but not least is Soho Grand! As a former employee of this New York mainstay, I could never leave it out. It’s home away from home for me and many of my friends in New York and an ideal place to grab a “NY Happy Meal.”

And what am I wearing? I’m so glad you asked. A nicely structured coat (a friend once equated coats in NYC to cars in LA — it’s our place to put everything, and you’re pretty screwed without a decent one) over a worn-in white Oxford shirt, my favorite pair of APCs, and white sneakers paired with a fun pair of KULE socks (the “OMG” ones are my current fav).

Yolo Journal is one of Nikki’s favorite magazines, and its newsletter, Yolo Intel, is a must-read for discerning travelers. Yolo is a compilation of photography, travel inspiration, and ideas from various contributors with exceptional taste, creativity, and a great eye. Founded by Yolanda Edwards, the former creative director of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Yolo’s recommendations are always spot on. Nikki suggests it for anyone who likes to travel, especially if you have interests in the arts, interior design, food, and fashion. She recently shared her packing tips for Yolo Intel’s newsletter. You’ll thank us for the recommendation 😉. Sign up for it here.

Nikki shared her packing-related tips, from general methods like folding vs. rolling to specific recommendations like her favorite travel hat.

Nikki was also recently featured in InStyle Germany’s “On My Desk” series, and guess what made an appearance? Her favorite Yolo Journal magazine 🙂.

Check out Yolo to see more about Nikki’s packing tips, including what she fits into a suitcase, the items she always has on the plane, her must-have beauty products, and plenty of stripes 😉.

We’ve been a fan of Sarah Clary for years. She’s a “Professional Wardrobe lover and opinionated creative for hire” who has styled and worn KULE since 2015. She is one of the best follows on Instagram with her honesty, openness, humor, and taste. We’ve asked Sarah about her style, how it’s changed since becoming a mom, and who inspires it. She also shared some holiday tips, including her gifting secrets 🤫🎁. Raise your coupe for Sarah 🥂!

Sarah and her two kids — ages 8 and 6 — live in Brooklyn, NY. She’s styled some of the most fun KULE editorials, with her penchant for pattern mixing, fun ways of dressing garments in unconventional ways, and originality. Seeing Sarah style KULE is always a joy, and her kids also look pretty great in stripes.

The Lucca Sweater

The Kid's Riley Tee

The Modern Long

The Kid's Charley Tee

The Banks Sweater

When we asked Sarah about her style — specifically how to pattern mix, which she does so well — she said, “I embrace it, make mistakes, and try to find the beauty in the weird and my take on the predictable. I try big patterns paired with dense ones or pattern variations of the same all-in-one mix. I try florals with stripes and checks with tweed or throw it all on the floor and see what sticks.”

On whose style (living or not) she loves, Sarah said, “That is like picking a favorite child! I want a mashup of Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, Bianca Jagger, Peggy Guggenheim, Debbie Harry, and the character in Killing Eve all in one.”

And as for who she’d style if she could style anyone: “It is a toss between Tilda Swinton, David Bowie, Katharine Hepburn and Grace Jones. Unique style icons in their own way. Unapologetically themselves and always effortless.”

Her style rule is “Wear it now before you die or before moths get at it.”

Sarah’s kids have also been longtime members of the KULE family, appearing in campaigns since the beginning.

Photographed by Mei Tao

“[Since having kids] I am more practical, but also I feel freer. My kids won’t always admit it, but they love the chaos I wear and when they or I get compliments about a look. Fashion and how you dress is powerful. My kids have made me feel more like myself so it makes sense that my style matches that feeling.”

Her kids have their unique interests too. Sarah says, “Soccer is all the rage. With the World Cup in full swing, it is all we talk, watch and think about in this house. That and Eloise from the Plaza and what a terror she is but also how very charming she can be. Basically, if Renaldo and Eloise had a match-off, who would win? It seems unclear.

The Women's Remus Cashmere Cardigan

The Seever Puffer Scarf

The All Over Smiles Dress Sock

The Kid's Mini Moritz Balaclava

The Kid's Rugby

On to the holidays…

Sarah’s tip for getting dressed during the holidays is: “Bigger, fancier, and more sparkly, do this all year round. I have nowhere to go, but I look damn good on my couch and have a great coupe 🥂. Get good glassware, even if you only drink water. It makes me feel great when I have a great glass with my look. For years I was told I couldn’t have any more glasses. I buy them all now.”

Her gift of choice to give is: “If I can’t celebrate you, you’re getting a singing telegram or dancing act. Yep, it is a fact. I have sent about 30-plus singing telegrams to people I love that I can’t hug in person. Just ask them. It is one memorable gift. If I can’t do that, I am getting you something I can’t stand to not own myself.”

Photographed by Mei Tao

And her favorite gift for herself is the best. “Me, I am my own best gift these days, and she is a ton of fun. Who knew?”

Follow Sarah on Instagram @clarysarah and shop KULE for the Holidays here 🎁🎄🙂.

Last fall, Nikki and Natalia traveled to Portugal for five days. There, they met with some of our current production partners, explored new opportunities, and learned more about ways our production can be more sustainable. Below is a quick recap of their factory visits, where they saw how the products are made and the exciting new developments for future seasons 🙂.

For those who may not know, 100% of our tees and sweats are made in Portugal. There, we have the most incredible partners that Nikki visits every year. Nikki and Natalia’s daily schedule consisted of driving a rental car to the surrounding cities of Barcelos, Braga, and Guimarães using GPS and speaking no Portuguese whatsoever 🤪. At the factories, they went over current production (Spring 2023), worked on future developments (Fall/Winter 2023), and reviewed our overall sustainability practices. Throughout the trip, they visited dye houses, wash houses, and embroidery houses, as well as knitting facilities, with a few cheese plates in between 🧀.

At the end of every season, Nikki reviews our fabric inventory. She creatively repurposes this fabric into our fun patchwork rugbies, reducing KULE’s fabric waste by giving this leftover fabric a new life.

The Women's Patch Rugby

The Men's Patch Rugby

The Modern

The Archie

Modern Long

The Rufus

Later in the day, they reviewed our current production’s cutting, sewing and lab dips. We are so excited to show you what the factories are making right now 👀. Stay tuned for Spring 2023!

One of the highlights was visiting the knitting factory to check out the production of our Malibu featherweight tee to restock for Oprah’s Favorite Things 🙂. Our featherweight tees are truly special, made from a custom fabric by our mill partner for KULE. They are made of the lightest-weight fabric that can be knit into yarn-dyed stripes. Therefore, the fabric is very delicate and must be carefully managed to avoid snags and twists in production. Due to its fine nature, the pattern pieces must be cut by hand so the stripes perfectly match up on your tees.

The Malibu (back in stock soon!)

The Malibu

The Tissue Turtleneck

The Baja

The Baja

The Tissue Turtlenecck

The Baja

The Malibu

They also visited the dye house where all of the products are washed and put through an intense process of fabric quality testing. Nikki and Natalia went on a tour to learn about the ZDHC certification process. To be certified, the factory must reuse at least 10% of the water and is always trying to reuse more. ZDHC factories limit hazardous waste from their practices. They work with their local community to clean the water so that the water they’re sending back out is safe. Very few factories are ZDHC certified. This dye house is also partially solar-paneled for as low-impact electricity as possible.

A lot of the surrounding factories are on farms that grow vegetables and herbs for themselves, the workers, and to sell. It’s a great use of the beautiful land.

As for new developments… KULE has some really exciting things in the works which you’ll have to wait and see, but here’s a sneak peek…

And it wasn’t all business. Nikki and Natalia made room for lots and lots of great food and sights, too. Portugal is so beautiful.

Overall this trip was very successful. They loved looking at the new developments and all the endless possibilities. Stay tuned for the exciting new product they had the pleasure to see made for our upcoming collections 🙂. Until next year, Portugal! Obrigada! 🇵🇹❤️