The Confidants Zine
The Confidants Zine
Meet Katie & Fenny, plus a roundup of what's on our radar (hint: it's cozy).
Helllllo Confidants crew, Fenny here, back from the vortex of “wtf do I do now” and here to say, we’re officially beginning. Beginning what? First, introductions.
Meet Katie, my Confidant and co-creator. If you’ve followed @weareconfidants at any point in the last 4 years, Katie made many appearances. She’s a soul-sister, creative muse, high-kicking Midwest beauty with endless talents, and as one of my closest Confidants, she’s here to co-create our next adventure.
Katie spent nearly a decade in brand innovation as the woman behind some of your favorite wine and beverage brands. She is a creative genius, infusing so much soul into everything she touches. Off hours, you’ll find Katie in a red lip and vintage tee, deep diving into all things hospitality, food, wine, and beauty. Also, she’s fucking hilarious. Get ready for the puns!
As a refresh, I’m Fenny, a product-obsessed storyteller who loves to curate cool brands you probably don’t know OR don’t know why you should love. My heart goes electric for brands with a rad story, exciting products, and conscious way of making things. For 4 years, I sold beautiful things in an online store, Confidants, curating from 150+ brands around the world. I hope to reopen in the future, until then, I’ll bring you along for the treasure hunt.
What are we kicking off? THE CONFIDANTS ZINE
Confidants Zine is an evolution of our original vision, expanding to dedicate more time and space to conversations with people who spark something in us - creativity, self-discovery, joy, confidence, style.
Turns out there is a lot that lights us up.
Katie and I are endlessly curious with an unwavering belief that creativity is contagious. To clarify, we believe seeing other people create cool shit may get you excited to create cool shit too. So, we’re reaching out to modern muses across style, wellness, adventure, food/wine, and art to share their stories with you.
If your heart didn’t explode with joy and creative juice like ours did, I get it. But I’m here to tell ya, tune in.
Katie and I are not only co-creating this together, we want to include you too! As curators and connectors, we have a world of inspiration we can’t wait to share. That world becomes richer with your input.
Before we put words to (physical) paper, we want to start a conversation with you because that’s what Confidants is all about - conversations with friends.
We don’t have it all planned out, but we are committed to showing up each week to share stories and content snacks, interviews, shopping guides, a collage (or two), and maybe even a cartoon. Can you tell we're having fun with it?
ON OUR RADAR
Each week, Katie and I will share what’s on our radar. This list is long, so check out at @weareconfidants for more spontaneous magic.
I’m a little rusty after 6 months away, but here are some snickty-snacks to get your heart pumping. Because Christmas is promoted entirely too early, I am tempted to put together a gift guide - maybe next week.
This week, I chose sweaters. Why? Because they’re cozy and I’m writing this in bed. Plus its officially winter and a good sweater defines the season. What you’ll find in this guide: Investments to Make and Why.
An investment worth making
The Logic: Something I’ll wear weekly and season after season. Often neutral colors (aka timeless), super high-quality materials, and always exceptionally made. Bet on $280+ price point and small, slow-fashion brands. I like to vote with my dollars, which is why I often support women-led and/or BIPOC owned, sustainably-minded brands. Plus, they’re rad.
Look for alpaca, cashmere, responsible wool. At this price point, don’t compromise on materials. Just say no to styles with 50%+ synthetics - they won’t keep ya warm (and they’re shitty for the planet).
PS I don’t scout designer luxury (i.e. $550+), but if you’re looking for that let me know.
The List:
Ozma- Sloan Cardigan, also in Brush ($348)
Kordal- Margot Sweater ($288), matching pant ($296)
Sister Katie- Cindy Turtleneck ($298), the Christy Pullover ($388)
Rowing Blazers- Roses Sweater ($295), Shetland Sweater ($245)
Shaina Mote - Field Cardigan ($298), Crop Turtleneck ($325)
The Details & Story:
1. Ozma- Sloan Cardigan, also in Brush ($348)
Heidi Joy Baker, founder of Ozma, is not only delightful human but she makes really, really nice clothes in materials I wish you could feel through the screen. This alpaca wool cardigan has a drop shoulder and slightly cropped cut, making it perfect with high-rise jeans or paired with a midi-skirt and boots. This style comes in 4-5 colors and goes well with everything else in her collection. Good luck, I want it all.
2. Kordal- Margot Sweater ($288), matching pant ($296)
OMG, omg, omg… this style is SO CHIC and unlike anything I’ve see on the market this year at this price point. Kordal is a women-run brand in Fort Greene, Brooklyn who sources natural materials and pays fair wages. This slinky V-neck style is 50% mulberry silk, 50% Royal Alpaca, so will keep you warm without the chunk. Plus, the details! Raised ribbing, gorgeous cuff and waistband, and slightly ballooned sleeve- yes, please. Probably one of the most versatile pieces you could own.
3. Sister Katie- Cindy Turtleneck ($298), the Christy Pullover ($388)
(The Julia Cableknit is sold-out but if it comes back, I’m getting it.)
Sister Katie is a new brand and rising cult favorite. I’ve been following her from the beginning and quickly saw her pieces on some of my favorite stylists, makers, etc. I invested in a cardigan last year and I legit wear it multiple times a week. Did I mention it makes me feel rich? The weight, hand-feel, buttons, materials, and cut will make you feel luxurious but not precious. Made from exceptional natural materials like Alpaca, Pima cotton, and Cashmere, she sources exclusively from certified organic & fair trade vendors. Often oversized but beautifully cut, she really does make clothes you never want to take off.
4. Rowing Blazers- Roses Sweater ($295), Shetland Sweater ($245)
Speaking of feeling rich, Rowing Blazers does that well too. Leaning hard into American royalty, aka Ivy League prep, this brand took me by surprise. Refreshingly, it’s fun. After digging-in, I also love their approach, collaborations, vibe, and story. And lastly, they take care to source and make clothing in a responsible way. Check, check, check.
This year, I’m a huge fan of their Roses Sweater. I love the oversized Tudor Rose pattern (knit, not printed!) in 100% wool. It’s fun and loud, but timeless enough I could see pairing with everything from jeans to a dress. The Shetland Sweaters may look boring, but they will last forever and you’ll reach for them often. Typically these sweaters are frumpy and hard to find in the US, but RW revamped the cut and issued a roundup of classic colors. Love.
5. Shaina Mote - Field Cardigan ($298), Crop Turtleneck ($325)
Shaina Mote is the queen of pared-back, timeless styles that work together to create the essentials of a chic wardrobe. Her brand is so soulful, it will almost make you cry. And none of it is BS. The intentional connection to slower, sustainable practice shows in the clothes.
The Field Cardigan is made of 100% Andean Highland Wool and knit by a small, women-run workshop in Peru. You likely won’t find another artisan made sweater in soft wool with this gorgeous cut and price anywhere else. As for the Crop Turtleneck, I saved the best for last. In a word: stunning. It’s a mockneck, boxy, relaxed sleeve, chunky knit and total dream come true.
DISCOVERY
Like always, we love ending our notes with inspiration, so here are some of the people, places, drinks, and thangs inspiring us lately.
This song on repeat: Wild, Wild Woman by Your Smith
Jess Janz words: Friendship is a Love Language
Roark Women’s launch!!
Look at this work by artist Anna Zimmerman, wowow
All things by Anj, but especially the food
For anyone thinking of starting over, watch this (Thank you, Rachel Dorsey!)
This hospitality rebrand by our talented friends @designsakestudio - giving me liiiife!
Every damn word of ISLYN studio’s philosophy⚡️
HYPE WOMAN
Sooo proud of our friend and fellow Confidant, Danielle Bentz for listening to her heart and making some exciting career moves. We’re forever in awe of her wisdom, light, and life-giving energy. If you are in Brooklyn, buy this babe a drink (x3) please.
Thanks for being here! If you have friends who would love this, please send it on- we’re excited to expand this community. xoxo - Your Confidants, Fenny & Katie
This is EXCITING. Major kudos to you two, and can't wait to tune in. x