MADE ON ISLAND
At KIN in Edgartown It’s a Family Affair
By Maddy Alley
Oxford Dictionary defines Kin as “one’s family and relations,” aunt niece duo L.A. and Gareth Brown define KIN as their store, a space to explore and share their artistic pursuits through both photography and fashion. Annexed into the sweet side arm of the Vineyard Preservation Trust’s John Coffin house, Kin is an intentionally curated and unique shop, selling rare, custom, and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Gareth Brown took the long way from her childhood in New Jersey to her now year-round residence on Martha’s Vineyard: via China. In 2012 Gareth moved to Shanghai, China for two years. At the time, after recently graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in fashion, Gareth had plans and ambitions to create accessories out of vintage neck ties. Post college, Gareth was able to explore patterns and prints, find design inspiration, and make connections with fabric producers and tailors that she still uses today. After moving back to America in 2014, Gareth expanded her line, called Rooey Knots, into clothing which Gareth describes as “bohemian with a classic twist, a mix of flowing ruffles and collared shirts.” For the next few years Gareth split her time between New York City and Martha’s Vineyard, selling Rooey Knots at the Chelsea Market in NYC and at local markets including the Chilmark and Featherstone Flea Markets. As time ticked by, Rooey Knots grew into more of a clothing line, although she still hand-stitches her accessories line on Island alongside trusty helper and mother, Jeannie Brown.
On the days that Gareth wasn’t under her tent at the summer flea markets, her aunt, fine art photographer L.A. Brown, was using the same tent at the Vineyard Artisan’s Festivals.
L.A. Brown started taking photographs when she was fourteen, her life and art have developed in unison since then. “The three cornerstones of my philosophy are to trust my original inspiration to capture a particular moment, honor the investigation of whether I caught the essence of what I was struck by in the first place, and the wish that sharing my originally inspired moment will touch someone’s heart,” explained L.A. “If I did all that, and I was fully present in every part of this process, my journey with the image was successful.”
In the summers leading up to the pandemic, both L.A. and Gareth were selling their work at Juniper, a shop in Edgartown. With a loving push from the Juniper family and leap of their own faith, L.A. and Gareth decide to open their own shop in 2021, called KIN. Now, four years later, Kin is a tasteful addition to Edgartown, with a constant flow of customers shopping Gareth’s apparel, L.A.’s photographs, and the carefully curated shelves of other small brands and a diversity of artists.
KIN is a place that Gareth and L.A. have stocked together, with items that they love and want to share. Everything they do is with close communication, between themselves and their customers, whether that be rearranging inventory or customizing clothing. Their second Art & Fashion show happened at the end of June. The colorful event, named Chroma, deviated from the prior year’s black and white theme, while still benefiting the Vineyard Preservation Trust who own the building where KIN is located. Attendees had an immersive experience into the minds of the Brown family artists. Today, you can find Gareth and L.A. working side by side in KIN, selling their work and offering a range of customizable art and clothing options. Don’t miss this art and fashion boutique; there is nothing like KIN.
For more information check out their website: kinmv.com, KIN: 12A N. Water St. Edgartown, 508-939-4291