Meet Ali LaBelle
Ali LaBelle is a creative director, designer, and writer known for her refined aesthetic and thoughtful approach to branding. Our Head of Brand, Jody Watkins, caught up with Ali over baguette and butter at Silverlake’s Farmacie du Vin—a favorite haunt of hers—to talk about career, creativity, and the road that led her here.
With a background in graphic design and a deep appreciation for timeless style, she leads her own studio, collaborating with brands across fashion, interiors, and hospitality. Beyond her client work, she shares her creative perspective through her popular Substack and passion projects like Pasta Girlfriend, a community-driven celebration of food and design.
For International Women’s Day, we sat down with creative director Ali LaBelle to talk about her approach to design, how personal style weaves into her professional life, and why her pieces from Kinn are something she’ll cherish for years to come.
Q: As a creative director, how does your personal style influence your professional work, and how does Kinn jewelry complement this?
Ali: My personal style and my work are completely intertwined. My clients come to me because they love the things I love or connect to my taste in some way. They trust me to bring the many things I’m inspired by into whatever I’m working on for them.
Overall, my style is pretty classic—I’m not really paying attention to trends. Instead, I opt for things that feel like they’ve been around forever, whether that’s an old pair of loafers I’ve had in my closet for years or vintage packaging designs I’m referencing for a project. What I love about Kinn’s jewelry is that, just like my favorite jeans or my old suede jacket or the art books I collect, it’s something I’ll love and hang onto forever.
Q: How do you incorporate Kinn jewelry into your daily wardrobe and for special occasions?
Ali: I love pieces that feel effortless and become part of my everyday uniform. My Kinn pieces fit right in—I wear my necklace daily, and I have the diamond earrings in my second piercing. For special occasions, I don’t overthink it. I like to layer jewelry in a way that feels natural, never fussy. My mom gave me the ‘A’ letter necklace for Christmas a couple of years ago. Because I’m so picky about fonts when it comes to letter jewelry, this was the only one I’d ever liked. It’s classic but unique—there’s something a little Edwardian about it. It’s the kind of piece I never take off.
Q: You’ve built a career that spans branding, design, writing, and creative direction. What led you to go out on your own, and how has that shaped your approach to work?
Ali: I worked in-house for a long time, but I wasn’t doing as much actual creative work as I wanted—I was stuck in project management. Going out on my own allowed me to be selective about projects and truly focus on the design and things I am passionate about. Now, I work with a small team and bring in collaborators based on the project, which keeps things flexible and exciting. I also have the freedom to grow my side project, Pasta Girlfriend.
Q: Speaking of, your Pasta Girlfriend brand has grown into quite a following. What inspired you to start it, and how do you see it evolving?
Ali: It started as a fun side project, just sharing pasta-related things on Instagram in a way that kept me inspired. Over time, it’s grown into a real-life project, such as pop-up dinners and restaurant collaborations. I like that it’s something I can pick up and put down between bigger client projects—there’s no pressure, just creativity. It’s inspiring to see that community come together in real-life.
Q: Being so heavily involved in cultivating a community, what does International Women’s Day mean to you this year, especially as someone leading a creative business?
Ali: I think a lot about how many talented women I get to collaborate with—designers, writers, artists, strategists—and meet at my pop-ups. So many of us are carving out our own paths, whether that means freelancing, starting a business, or creating something new altogether. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by women who are building their own worlds instead of waiting for permission.
Q: You’ve created such an engaged community through your Substack. What role has writing played in your career, and what do you love about the platform?
Ali: Writing wasn’t always a big part of my creative process, but Substack changed that. It’s given me a space to explore ideas and connect with people outside of social media. I love that it’s a mix of serious and silly—design insights, shopping finds, and creative musings all in one place.
Q: Your work often involves collaborations—whether in branding, events, or even upcoming product design. What do you look for in a creative partnership?
Ali: Alignment in taste and vision is key. I love working with people who have a strong point of view but are also open to new ideas. The best collaborations feel effortless and exciting. I’m really into ceramics right now and am working on a hand-painted collection with a small studio in Portugal (coming soon!).
Q: You work with a range of creative professionals across different industries. What are some of the biggest shifts you’re seeing in design and branding today?
Ali: I think people are craving more personality and substance in branding. There’s been so much minimalism in the past decade, and now we’re seeing a return to more expressive, character-driven design.
Q: What’s a recent creative discovery—whether a book, artist, or idea—that’s been inspiring you?
Ali: I’m always discovering new things. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with vintage ribbons and how patterns from different eras influence design across categories. That’s been a fun source of inspiration.
Ali LaBelle’s approach to design, style, and creativity is a testament to the power of timeless taste and intentional choices. Whether through branding, writing, or curating pieces she’ll love forever, she proves that true style isn’t about trends—it’s about what resonates, endures, and feels uniquely your own.
Kinn embodies that same philosophy, crafting modern heirlooms that become part of your story—cherished today, treasured for years, and passed down for generations to come.
Shop Ali’s favorites in the collection.