For our first-ever artist collaboration, we partnered with Los Angeles-based textile designer Leanne Kissinger to create a scarf that feels both personal and collectible. Raised in a small town in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, Leanne brings an illustrator’s eye, a painter’s hand, and a deep sense of place to her work—something that felt too kismet to ignore. With past collaborations for Lisa Says Gah, Réalisation Par, and Madewell, her talent speaks for itself, but this project is particularly special.
This month for Beyond the Game, I sat down with my very good friend—and incredibly talented artist—Leanne to talk about her roots, her career journey, and the story behind the new PSU scarf.
Abby: Let’s start from the beginning. Where did you grow up, and how did you first find your way into art and design?
Leanne: I grew up in a small town in Northeastern PA. I was always an “art kid” in school, constantly drawing, painting, making things. I loved fashion, but I was really drawn to the worlds of print, pattern, and color. I started out at Drexel for Fashion Design, but realized my passion wasn’t in constructing garments. I transferred to the University of the Arts for Illustration, and eventually convinced the dean to let my thesis focus on textile design instead of traditional illustration. That’s really where it clicked for me.
Abby: So how did your career kick off after school?
Leanne: My first job was in-store display at Urban Outfitters. I was determined to make it to their print team at HQ, and after a lot of persistence, I landed a freelance spot. That first week, I barely took a lunch break—I was so focused on proving myself. A full-time role opened, and I stayed there for seven years, working my way up to senior designer.
In 2018, my husband and I moved to LA, where I joined a small print studio that felt like “print bootcamp”—we were making 25 to 30 prints a week. It was intense but sharpened my skills. After two years, I felt ready to go freelance and start my own thing.
Abby: I brag about your talent all the time, but I’m equally in awe of your work ethic. How do you keep finding fresh inspiration for new designs?
Leanne: I try to stay aware of what’s happening on the runways, but most of my inspiration comes from everyday life—tile work, shadows on a wall, the way colors interact. Once you start seeing patterns in everything, you can’t unsee them.
Abby: How has your design approach evolved over the years?
Leanne: The bones of my process haven’t changed much—I still start with references and sketch everything out by hand. But over time, I’ve gotten better at tailoring each design to the client’s vision. My favorite prints are the ones that reveal something new every time you look at them.
Abby: Who or what has influenced your work the most?
Leanne: Honestly, my colleagues have been huge influences—working alongside really talented designers pushes you to level up. As far as brands, Mara Hoffman has always inspired me. The way she played with geometry, color, and sculptural shapes blew my mind. I still follow her even though she’s stepped away from designing—it’s fun to see her just living life now.
Abby: Okay, let’s talk about this scarf. Walk me through your design process for this project.
Leanne: You gave me a list of key Penn State motifs, and I started there, but I wanted to soften it—make it feel elegant, not too harsh or masculine. I added Mountain Laurel, Pennsylvania’s state flower, and native trees and shrubs for balance. From there, it was about making sure no matter how someone styles it, they catch a meaningful detail—a building here, a Nittany Lion there.
Abby: You painted every window of Old Main. The curtains even made it in—I about died when I saw that detail!
Leanne: Old Main definitely tested me, but I had to do her justice!
Abby: How does this project differ from your usual work?
Leanne: It’s definitely more heritage-inspired than my usual projects. Most of my work isn’t tied to a specific place or tradition. This one had real history baked in, which was new for me.
Abby: What mood were you going for?
Leanne: Timelessness. I didn’t want it to feel trendy or dated in a few years. I imagined generations of Penn Staters wearing it—alumni, students, family. It needed to feel classic, elevated, and lasting.
Abby: What about color?
Leanne: We had to go classic blue and white. The layout was really intentional—I wanted different elements to show depending on how you style it. Around the neck, you see the florals; draped down your back, you get the Nittany Lion. Fold it differently, and “We Are” or “Penn State” lines up on the corners. There are so many ways to wear it and make it yours.
Abby: Which detail are you most proud of?
Leanne: I gotta give it to Old Main, she challenged me, but I think I did her justice!
Abby: Last question—the most important one—how would you personally style it?
Leanne: If I were brave, I’d do the scarf-top trend. Realistically? I’d go full Thelma and Louise, wrap it around my head, and ride off into the sunset in a convertible.
This first-ever artist collaboration scarf is available for pre order now—timeless, wearable, and steeped in Penn State nostalgia. We couldn’t imagine a better artist than Leanne to bring it to life.
SHOP THE SCARF