Each piece from ABNDN, the aptly named jewelry, accessories and clothing line from Casey Desmond and Jessie Ammons-Carswell, begins with a journey. The daring duo take to forgotten corners to source skeleton keys, antique chains and other found materials to incorporate into their designs—and their treasure hunts through the woods and over asylum walls have gotten them into situations they could never have prepared for.
“One day we were walking through the basement of an asylum that has since been completely cleared out. I kicked something and looked down to see what it was. It was a grenade. Luckily it had already been detonated,” Desmond recalls. “Sometimes we come across people, too, who are squatting in an abandoned space. We try to respect each other, because we are all doing something illegal,” Ammons-Carswell adds. “We haven’t gotten into trouble yet, but we have had several very close calls. Luckily, we’ve gotten good at pulling off the whole nonchalant ‘Who, me?’”
Their process guarantees that each piece will be unique, but mystique isn’t their only motivation for upcycling. “There’s more than enough landfill on the face of the planet,” Ammons-Carswell explains. “So we’re doing our part to enjoy style and dressing up, without making the planet sicker than it already is.”
On their style…
- “My style is currently centered on mixing black pieces in different textures and gritty, industrial-looking accessories,” says Ammons-Carswell. Case in point: this “Dark Grunge” leotard paired with a “Sunset” urban ballerina skirt and jewelry featuring quartz, keys and even deer teeth.
- “My style is a mix of body-con fabrics and ambiguous silhouettes. My eye is attracted to color and shape, and I love playful combinations of the two,” says Desmond, an electro-pop musician known for her bold style long before the line’s launch.
Dressed for Success
The founders of five new fashion ventures share their stories—and style.
By Renata Certo-Ware | Photo Credit: Holly Rike | June 20, 2014
Jessie Ammons-Carswell + Casey Desmond – ABNDN
Each piece from ABNDN, the aptly named jewelry, accessories and clothing line from Casey Desmond and Jessie Ammons-Carswell, begins with a journey. The daring duo take to forgotten corners to source skeleton keys, antique chains and other found materials to incorporate into their designs—and their treasure hunts through the woods and over asylum walls have gotten them into situations they could never have prepared for.
“One day we were walking through the basement of an asylum that has since been completely cleared out. I kicked something and looked down to see what it was. It was a grenade. Luckily it had already been detonated,” Desmond recalls. “Sometimes we come across people, too, who are squatting in an abandoned space. We try to respect each other, because we are all doing something illegal,” Ammons-Carswell adds. “We haven’t gotten into trouble yet, but we have had several very close calls. Luckily, we’ve gotten good at pulling off the whole nonchalant ‘Who, me?’”
Their process guarantees that each piece will be unique, but mystique isn’t their only motivation for upcycling. “There’s more than enough landfill on the face of the planet,” Ammons-Carswell explains. “So we’re doing our part to enjoy style and dressing up, without making the planet sicker than it already is.”
On their style…
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