KIM

July 28, 2022 Tami Kern

A few months before I got my first Chanel jacket, I found KERN1 on Instagram through one of the store’s other clients. She mentioned that one of her best wardrobe investments was a Chanel jacket she bought at KERN1. As I always dreamed of owning a Chanel jacket, I went to the KERN1 online store, but noticed everything was sold out. It took me some time to figure out what was going on and how I would be able to actually buy one. I reached out to Tami, KERN1's founder. She told me that all available jackets are always offered via the webshop. With patience and luck, she said, everybody who really wants a jacket, will be able to purchase one, but that it could take some time. I thought ‘yeah right’, but appreciated that Tami took the time to answer all my questions and decided to continue following her latest arrivals both on Instagram, and through the webshop. About four months later I managed to get my very first Chanel jacket, a double-breasted navy vintage blazer with gilt CC-logo buttons. I was randomly checking the online store and there it was. When I checked out and saw the confirmation mail, I jumped around the living room. My husband jokingly said I seemed more excited than when he proposed to me to marry him. Tami personally delivered the jacket and I was so surprised that this jacket was about thirty years old, as it looked practically new. The sizing of the jacket was also different than I expected. I usually wear approximately size 36 EU. This jacket is size 38 EU, so I presumed it would be slightly bigger on me, but it actually had quite a tailored fit. I now know that Chanel jackets tend to fit very small to size and that I need to size up about two sizes to create a relaxed and nonchalant look. In May I suddenly saw a '90s red bouclé jacket with four pockets and black CC-logo buttons in the KERN1 webshop and completely fell head over heels with it. The bouclé is a typical Chanel fabric, and while I usually wear neutral colors, I thought this pop of color could be fun to add to my wardrobe. The size of this jacket was 38/40 EU and it is slightly shorter than the navy jacket. This one has the oversized fit I was searching for. It combines very well with baggy jeans and sneakers. Every time I open my closet and see the jackets, I feel happy, even if I don’t wear them for a while, because of the weather or if I don’t find the right occasion. I know they are there and I always wonder if my daughter Aiko, or my son Foss will wear them one day.

KIM NGUYEN, LEGAL COUNSEL