The Encounter Collection by Stephen Kenn is a meditation on legacy - on the sacred moment when something physical is passed from one generation to the next, carrying with it not just function, but meaning.

At the heart of the film is a boy, a father, and the unspoken weight of absence. Through a single object, a leather bag, what remains is more than a duffel. It’s memory. Intention. A quiet call to live with courage.

This story acknowledges the ache of loss, but refuses to let that be the end. In the giving, and in the receiving, something deeper is exchanged: the love of a father, and the hope that even pain can shape a boy into the kind of man who carries it forward.

When the film released, it quietly struck a nerve. Without any promotion or press strategy, it went viral, shared thousands of times and landing in inboxes and living rooms across the world. We began receiving messages from strangers - some who had lost their fathers, others who never heard the words they longed for growing up. Over a decade later, we still hear from people who say this short film brought them healing, or helped them speak words of blessing over their own children for the first time.

What began as a furniture collection became something far more enduring: a conversation about legacy, love, and the kind of courage that transcends generations.

This was the one that launched Stephen’s brand. And in many ways, it launched ours too. A story told through stitched canvas, salvaged WWII materials, and steel frames - this short film showcased not just what Stephen made, but why he made it. It went viral in the design world, picked up by blogs and brands, and became a calling card that opened unexpected doors for both of us.

As our friendship with Stephen deepened, so did the stories. We moved from collections to conversations, exploring themes of fatherhood, mentorship, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind.