“There’s a whole culture around the sea. For my brother and me, it’s not just about boards and cool clothes: there’s a life that’s not for sale. It’s the whole world of the sea, and the values that this world has instilled in us, that I want to communicate with these clothes. (…) We’re not riding the sportswear or athleisure wave like some of the big brands. I live in St Barths. The waves saw Harold and me grow up.” Rodolphe and Harold launched their first Mackeene collection in 2008. Through collaborations and encounters, the collections blossomed. The two brothers manage to retain the utilitarian side of sportswear while integrating a chic that’s all their own. In 2018, many brands promise travel and escape: taking a touch of the exotic with you is an old springboard for charm. The Mackeene label responds with essential authenticity: family, St Barths, travel. It’s not a marketing argument: it’s their whole life and daily routine that they share in their collections. Mackeene is one of those brands that doesn’t sell trends by the kilo, but unites people around values.
A meeting with two brothers who talk about the sea, airports and today’s vision of board sports, and show us how to combine work and relaxation at a time of burnout.
Mackeene: elegance nourished by experience
Kitesurfing champion Rodolphe talks about patented magnets, shorts cuts and technical clothing details. I wear these clothes: they have to be practical and functional. You also have to want to keep them, once you’re out of the water”. While Rodolphe is discreet about his awards, they are the roots of all the technical research carried out by the brand. He’s the first to know if the length of the shorts is right. A guinea pig for his own creations, he listens carefully to feedback : “I want to know if customers are happy, if they haven’t had any problems with the pieces. That’s how we improve. So, is the brand reserved for surf enthusiasts?
The pieces are sober, adult. “People think of surfing as something limited to adolescence: a fleeting passion. I’ve done a lot of activities around the water, and it was important to get out of the restricted field of board sports”. An opening for a wider public, in love with sea spray, the air of idleness, extended vacations.” The prints on the shorts give them a more modern look. They don’t look like sportswear. They’re designed to evolve with the customer as the day goes by.(…)All this is thanks to my brother: he’s the image-maker – in every sense of the word (…) Have you seen the latest photographs he’s taken? “
Mackeene: it’s hard work being relaxed.
Gliding from clothes to photographs surrounded by kitesurf boards: the transition seems perfect. In Mackeene pop-up stores, everything seems idyllic, easy. The fluidity of the ensuing communication illustrates this, and the story of these brothers seems like a nice story for a tourist office brochure? They grew up in St. Barth, but it would be cynical to think that they locked themselves away warmly. For Rodolphe, it’s home between competitions and presentations for the brand. Harold, on the other hand, left very early. We’re very lucky. Our parents brought us up to experiment on our own.. I left when I was 16, lived in China and learned about design (…) Creating a brand with my brother is not an easy task. wasn ‘t part of a clear-cut plan for the future.” Harold is self-taught and seems to let himself be led by his passions. “ No, it’s Rodolphe who’s the most intrepid! He’s currently preparing for new waves, new challenges. He’s looking for adrenalin. I accompany him, I take photos, but I don’t feel as adventurous.” Mutual admiration : “When I wear the clothes, I find the problems, but it’s Harold who fixes them.The pockets on my shorts didn’t fit: I could never slip anything into them. Everything fell out. He learned to make pockets with a straight opening, not an oblique one. He works hard to find innovative solutions ( …) I’m constantly surprised and discovering”.
Harold and Rodolphe
The MacKenne brothers are not content with one place or one career. It’s a philosophy that allows them to combine obligation with relaxation. If they travel, if they surf and take photographs, if they sell us this image of ease, it’s because the hours of work behind them can’t be counted.
While retaining their adolescent ardor, each season they present us with collections with an increasingly adult aesthetic. It’s fun to watch the brand mature. Mackeene is no longer content with swim shorts: a whole range of pieces has been added over the years, through encounters, travel and experience.
The brothers’ pop-up stores and boutiques are all like them: they travel with the wind. The best thing is to follow them:
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