The Semplice Life of Mackenzie Palladino

How a self-taught metalsmith turned a handmade bolo tie into a coveted piece of Americana 

Country music singer-songwriter Ella Langley wearing a Semplice bolo.

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, before Nashville knew her name, Mackenzie Palladino was forging silver, soldering brass, and threading stories into stones. She was an art student with a love for jam bands, a knack for metalsmithing, and a quiet but insistent pull toward something entirely her own. That pull would become Semplice Designs: a jewelry line rooted in music, memory, and the wild beauty of the American South and West.

Mackenzie’s story begins in Boone, North Carolina, where Grateful Dead records and Appalachian sunsets shaped her early designs. “I started out vending at music festivals,” she recalls, “following Dead & Co., setting up shop on the lot.” Her first bolo tie—now the cornerstone of her collection—was born of that scene: a marriage of musical devotion and mountain mysticism, crafted by hand and worn with pride.

Semplice (pronounced "sim-plee-chay") means "simple" in Italian, but Mackenzie’s work is anything but ordinary. Each piece is a one-of-one: hand-drawn, custom cut, and set with stones that carry their own secrets. Her bolo ties are especially beloved, marked by a distinctive stone setting and engraved backs that hold song lyrics, dedications, or personal messages. They’ve caught the eye of country stars like Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Wynonna Judd, and Billy Strings, and even made their way to Bob Weir, who has worn one of her custom pieces on stage. Not once, but twice.

But Semplice is more than stagewear. “I want my designs to make people feel confident,” Mackenzie says. “Every piece is made to spark conversation, to create connection.”

That ethos carries through her entire creative process. She builds each collection around a story, styling photo shoots with models, locations, and soundtracks that reflect her vision. One recent release paid homage to Clint Black, with jet-black leather cords and engraved lyrics from her favorite track, “Like The Rain.”

Since moving to Nashville in 2021, Mackenzie has carved out a niche in the city’s creative underground—working solo in her East Nashville home studio and collaborating with stylists, artists, and a loyal crew of repeat clients. “It was a leap of faith,” she admits.

“In Boone I was a big fish. In Nashville, I am a little fish in a big ocean.”  Regardless of what size fish she is, Mackenzie has certainly built something rare: a brand with heart, heritage, and high taste. Yet, she and her brand remain approachable.

Now, with eyes on Texas and her boots still in Tennessee, Mackenzie continues to dream big. “Every time I leave Texas, I want to go back,” she says. “It’s the sunsets, the wind, the mango salsa from H-E-B. I don’t know exactly what it’s going to be, but I know I’m not done there.”

Wherever the road leads next, one thing is certain: Semplice will stay handmade, heartfelt, and wholly hers. Because for Mackenzie Palladino, jewelry isn’t just adornment — it’s storytelling. And her story is just getting started.

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About the Author

Suzanne Kopulos has spent 20+ years as a celebrity stylist, fashion tastemaker, and lifestyle brand builder. For nearly a decade, she was represented by Ford Models—where her keen eye for emerging trends made her an indispensable part of Chicago’s fashion scene. With degrees in both business and law, Suzanne parlayed these skills into creative strategy; she has shaped campaigns for Neiman Marcus, BCBG, Ted Baker, Lafayette 148, goop, Ulta Beauty, Nike, QVC, Vital Proteins, Macy’s, Burberry, and Kate Somerville. As a fashion industry thought leader, she was regularly featured live on-air, contributing her “fresh takes” on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and WGN.