Velvet is the creation of a fashion forward family, helmed by Jenny Graham, our creative director since day one. Prior to opening, Jenny Graham had immigrated from South Africa with a degree in teaching. Initially Jenny worked as an assistant in film and her parents worked crafting belts and accessories in San Diego. Having worked in fashion her whole life, Jenny’s mother was quick to notice her style and eye and encouraged her to move to Los Angeles and join the family ventures. After several successful partnerships, the Grahams decided to keep it all in the family and Velvet was born. The vision started simple—laid-back luxury with a focus on fine materials and craftsmanship.

For Spring 2013, a design dream team occurred when Jenny & Toni teamed up with supermodel and style icon, Lily Aldridge. The collaboration was a natural progression for a long-term love affair that began back in 2004 when Lily became the face and body of Velvet by Graham & Spencer. The Lily Aldridge for Velvet collection debuted with a 14 piece limited edition capsule collection designed to knock your sartorial socks off. Due to its runaway retail success and a public clamoring for more, a second collection hit the shelves for Spring 14.

Before launching Velvet Denim in the Fall of 2014, the design team spent many months focusing on fabric and fit to create just the right collection. The results are styles that perfectly reflect the brand's casual luxe aesthetic. Taking full advantage of LA's status as jean capital of the world, Velvet Denim uses the best wash-houses, the best dye-houses and the best pattern-makers to create the perfect pair of jeans.

In 2013, Velvet by Graham & Spencer opened its first retail stores in the LA enclaves of Brentwood and on Abbot Kinney in Venice. Designed to showcase an edited selection from our collections, as well as a curated mix of accessories from brands we admire, each space epitomizes the understated luxury and aesthetic that is Velvet by Graham & Spencer. 2015 saw openings in the Hamptons, an east coast flagship on Madison Avenue in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and the first international location on St. Christopher’s Place in London’s storied West End. 2016 saw more bi-coastal offerings with Lido Village in Newport CA and stylish Nolita in Lower Manhattan.

LA born-and-raised, it only makes sense that we manufacture the Velvet by Graham & Spencer collection of tees right here in the City of Angels. We place a premium on finding the finest materials available and we highly value the top quality workmanship that can only be found here in small LA production facilities. The results are the timeless, long-lasting basics that you’ve come to expect from Velvet by Graham & Spencer. Above all else, it’s important we’re producing our tees in a fair, safe environment; look out for the MADE IN USA tags on our tees: that’s our calling card that they are made here with love.