As a student at Bishop Hendricken High School, Kiel James Patrick wasn’t a fan of the khaki pants, blue blazer combination. The Cranston resident was more creative than that.

It started with outrageous jackets he found at thrift shops and in his grandfather’s closet. But when the all-boys Catholic school cracked down on the dress code, he had to find new ways to make his mark.

And there, in the hallways of a high school, the Kiel James Patrick brand was born.

“It wasn’t as put together as the brand now, but I’d make some pretty funky combinations of fabrics,” he said.

Patrick creates a whole range of accessories, from his signature cloth bracelets and woven belts to headbands and, in the near future, handbags, all of which fit with his preppy, classic-with-a-twist style. Back in high school, they were a hit with Patrick’s classmates, who began buying the handmade goods out of his backpack, though he never took a sewing lesson.

From there, the designer tried his hand at college, pursuing a degree in zoology. But working together with his girlfriend, Sarah Vickers, the accessories picked up speed again, selling big in dorm rooms and even at the beach. With a little marketing direction from Vickers, Patrick realized it was time to drop out of school and pursue the passion that had driven him all along.

“It took off so fast,” he said.

Patrick sold off a company he had already established called Wicked Vintage, through which he sold vintage, preppy clothing on eBay. He used that capital to invest in Kiel James Patrick.

“It’s about combining and clashing different patterns and textures,” he said of the brand. “And accessories are something that completely change an outfit.”

The accessories are big sellers in Newport and Watch Hill, and have been somewhat of a phenomenon in Connecticut. Although the majority of sales are out of state, it’s in his home state of Rhode Island where Patrick gets his product line going, with 14 employees, a sales force of 25 and multiple outside contractors.

“Everything’s within Rhode Island and that’s our big plan,” he said. “The economy is falling apart and people are trying to bring things back to America. My main goal is to eventually set up the company’s production in Rhode Island the old fashioned way. It’s about me trying to produce more jobs here.”

Much of the inspiration for Kiel James Patrick comes from right here in Rhode Island as well. In his Johnston studio, Patrick has local memorabilia, and draws ideas from the state’s history, its antiques and its nautical culture.

Patrick’s grandfather Henry is another inspiration for the KJP design. Patrick grew up spending time with Henry in the country club scene.

“He would wear a lot of clashing outfits but he’d pull it off,” Patrick recalled. “A lot of the clothing I wore as a kid was pulled right from my grandfather’s closet.”

Those pieces of Henry, and of Rhode Island, are available in 150 stores, as well as online. Next month, Patrick will kick the hinges off his company’s door, bringing the product line international. A company in Milan, which later flew him out to Italy to discuss his global product, approached him.

“They fell in love with our products. It seems like a pretty big deal,” he said.

Still, Patrick doesn’t want to put the cart before the horse, so to speak. When asked what advice he has for aspiring designers, he said taking things one step at a time is key.

“Know what your goal is and get there. Don’t try to do too much at once. Keep your overhead low; keep it manageable,” he said, adding, “you’re not going to be a millionaire in two weeks.”

Patrick has made enough to live off of KJP. Eventually, he’d like to open his own storefront, and keep learning the business with a trial-by-fire approach.

“Instead of being in a classroom, I go out and find my teachers,” Patrick said.

Looking ahead, he can’t predict what will come next, but is happy to be along for the ride.

“I’m working 24/7 so I’m in my own little world, but it’s larger than life,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve realized what I’ve created yet.”

For more information on the Kiel James Patrick line, go to kieljamespatrick.com.