Explore KC's favorite things, from local makers

Krop Collective

If you told me at my very first pop up back in May 2021 that I would meet some of the most supportive, inspiring, grooviest people through doing markets and pop-ups (many who were much more established than myself or have brands that I was a fan of pre-KJ) and I now get to call them dear friends, I wouldn’t have believed you. There really is nothing like the community that comes out of small business/solo-preneurs and it’s hard to put into words to people who aren’t “in” it but I’m always trying to make it known regardless.

So this is where I want to shine a light on these groovy humans, and with both a nod to my mom telling me since I started Krop Jeans that I “collect people” and the earliest concepts of KJ, this is ‘The Krop Collective’ :

A place where I can showcase my favorite makers/artisans/designers/small businesses. If you follow me on Instagram you already know that I love to share when I’m wearing something by one of my friends’ brands or from a friends’ store and Krop Collective is where you can always find them! x KC

Holiday Picks from Local Makers below

Jump to Krop Around Town: "There's no place like home for the holidays"

Scope KC's fave spots from Northern Westchester to the lower Hudson Valley

See the Post

Frances Grey Millinery

Anytime you see me in a big straw hat, it’s probably Frances Grey.
The hat I wear the most is my Frances Grey “Milan” hat in grey with a custom denim trim. Debbie has now designed a new hat called “The Denim”!

Modern Millinery • Handcrafted in New York

Calla Paris

THOSE Moroccan rug shoes I’m always wearing.
My Calla clogs are what I’ve been wearing all fall and into winter as long as it’s dry (pro tip: go up a size to wear with a chunky winter sock). I’m also loving the monochrome babouches (I just treated myself to a black and white pair).

Exploring Sustainable Design in Recycling Textiles and Supporting Craft

Flora Vintage

Some of the most beautifully curated vintage I’ve ever seen, the brand aesthetic Brooke has created is like poetry.

Brooke has been taking her classic French workwear pieces and collaborating with artists to re-work them with their own personal touch, they’re workwear works of art. Style with the KJ “Johnny” jean for a Jackson Pollock inspired look.
Honorable mention: the gorgeous vintage party dresses currently over @ The Huntress in Pound Ridge.

Curated Vintage Collections, Sourcing & Styling • Embroidered French Workwear

The Highlands Foundry

I genuinely have the hardest time not buying something from Cheryl every time I see her – and it doesn’t help that she uses me as a model and I have to try all these incredible pieces on.
My newest obsession are “The Geese” jackets Cheryl has been making from incredibly soft and lush vintage blankets with duck and geese motifs.

We are a small batch sustainably made apparel business hand crafted in the Hudson Valley. Vintage textile apparel + totes + pillows + accessories

Hudson & King Jewelry

In a world of so many kinds of jewelry, Olivia has an incredible eye for sourcing the most maximalist-chic statement pieces of vintage jewelry.
If you can’t tell, I love to wear a bandana or scarf, and what better way to give a KJ outfit a little holiday glam than with a gold bandana necklace.

Refined vintage statement jewelry for a modern wardrobe sourced by Olivia

17 & Orchard

I’m a candle fiend and so serious when I say these are the best smelling candles on the planet. The first time I did a show with them I stayed at their table for at least 30 min trying to decide which was my favorite *spoiler: I still haven’t figured it out*
There’s nothing better in winter than walking into a warm home that smells amazing. I love the warmth of the Smoke candle–it makes you feel like you’re in a classic movie, sitting by a fire in a leather smoking chair, with a book and some cocktail on the rocks (a negroni if you’re like me).

Hand-poured non-toxic candles made with luxury fragrances in our Warwick, NY studio

Ava Rogers Jewelry

What’s cooler than being a female silversmith with a jewelry range from delicate thin rings (like my pinky ring which I never take off) to chunky cuban necklaces and natural stones in silver settings?
I’ve always been a fan of big, bold rings. Silver ones seem to be having a moment and one of my favorite’s by Ava is her “Gentleman” ring but ever since I first saw it while doing a market with her in the Catskills, I’ve dubbed it the ‘Rip Van Winkle’ ring.

Handmade jewelry in the Hudson Valley • Female Owned and Made

Jennifer Hoertz

Another master milliner, JH hats are elegant and luxe.
In my next life, when I’m the type of woman who can pull off Jennifer’s hats, I’ll be the wearing this one.

Millinery Design House specializing in handmade special occasion and everyday luxury hats. Located in Southeast, New York

Made x Hudson

I’ll always tell the story of walking into the MxH opening night and immediately knowing that I wanted this to be the first store KJ would be carried in. But also their own house-label is everything right about sustainable fashion.
If you need to dress up this holiday season or have an event coming up, the MadeXHudson team has been churning out a “Zero Waste” dress that is an absolutely stunning design and each fabric they use is to be more beautiful than the last. The textured ones especially need to be appreciated in person.

A @cfda approved factory & slow-fashion shop in Catskill NY w/ 2nd shop @ 345 Warren, Hudson.

Namai

Beautiful, bold artisan textiles meets modern style in jacket form. These jackets are one of the coolest ways to wear your personality.
I have a few long Namai jackets so the next on my list is one of the cropped jackets. I love this one's winter vibe that also reminds me of the colors in this KJ collection.

Designed by @biancakuttickattu

Sloppy Seconds

My dad is a retired Lieutenant Colonel so I have a special place in my heart for anything Army/military and I especially love his old Army liner jackets. So, obviously, I was immediately obsessed when I met Maddie and saw her army-liner-but-make-them-cute-jackets.
I’m really on a button-up kick right now, I love the look of combining a bit of polished preppiness with the freeform, hand-dyed nature of KJ pieces. Plaid button-ups for holiday/winter are always a favorite and these tops by Sloppy Seconds are a chic twist on the classic.

Giving clothing a second life.

Zingara Vintage

I really owe Erin a whole separate feature because there’s so much the “Queen of Terrycloth” has done for me since I met her back in the summer of ‘22. She’s a true force in this community and if you’ve never seen her INSANE re-worked designer terrycloth pieces, you gotta go check them out right now.
Speaking of preppy with a twist, I’m obsessed with the Zingara pieces that have been transformed from heritage Ralph Lauren textiles. Erin recently announced a collab with Veronica Beard in Aspen where a handful of these pieces get to live now (but you can also reach out to her for your own!).

The Original Terrycloth Atelier • Bespoke Collections & Curated Vintage • Shop & Book Appointments at zingaravintage.com

The Krop Journal

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Krop Around Town: Home For The Holidays
Kathryn Kropkowski

Krop Around Town: Home For The Holidays

Join KC on a 'Best Of' Road Trip, as she shares her favorite, must-stop spots and small businesses in and around the Hudson Valley.
Read more