STYLE

Nordic adventure countdown : Elsa Adams

I leave for Copenhagen on Friday. I've been listening to this Nordic playlist collection all day in preparation and am now, of course, looking up Danish fashion designers instead of packing. I just got off the phone with someone who knows Denmark well and she gave me some great names of Danish designers to check out--one being Elsa Adams. I'm in love.

I've always had a thing for lace. I used to order lace cards when I worked in menswear even though I knew we wouldn't use it. Elsa Adams even designs her own lace, which is amazing. Here are some of my favorite Elsa Adams creations:

Elsa Adams Danish Fashion Designer

August gems ...

August gems by EtxeThis month I've been into fashion history and popular critique of the fashion industry, as well as some fashion business reading. If you're also into these topics then check out our August gems:


  • The Lost Art of Dress by historian + dressmaker Linda Przybyszewski
  • This book is fascinating. It's definitely been influencing my design decisions and inspiring me to stay true to my dress dreams and values.


  • Pop Fashion podcast by Vintage store owner Lisa Rowan + fashion stylist Kaarin Vembar
  • Lisa's part of the WDCC and her podcast is hilarious and enlightening. I always learn something new, and get to hang with my new favorite radio personalities (and friend ;).


  • Handmade to Sell by Hello Craft creator + DIY expert Kelly Rand.
  • Kelly is also part of the WDCC and knows the handmade/DIY/craft business inside and out. Her experience is invaluable and I can't wait to dive into this book.


    What are you reading and listening to this month?

    Etxe : Home with K. Mala

    etxe : home


    Each Tuesday we'll be posting a new perspective on ETXE : HOME. This first piece in the series is by Kim Malachowski, an artist and designer based on the West Coast.

    How do you define home?

    Being surrounded by the people I love, loving me back- it is not a place but a feeling of comfort and safety, where I can be my true self without judgment.

    What in your closet makes you feel most at home?

    I would have to say my canvas ballet shoes. No matter where I go and whether or not I dance I still wear them. Ballet was such a big part of my life and the theater was my home for so long. I love wearing them; even if it is just to dance in my kitchen.

    What is your favorite memory of home?

    Being surrounded by creativity- I call it Malachowski Bohemia, either my dad or older brother playing the guitar, dogs running around, finding the perfect outfit to wear between three closets (my younger sister and mother have fabulous style).

    What’s something you always take with you when traveling to remind you of home?

    My travel set of watercolors and sketchbook- I feel at home when I have a paintbrush in my hand and I always take my sketchbook wherever I go. Sketchbooks are also one of the gifts I usually pick up when traveling.

    Etxe: KMala

    home away from home

    I miss my family. It's hard to be so far away, but I'm thankful for the time we all get to spend together. This summer my whole family met up in Belmont Shore, Long Beach for a week. My sister spent a long weekend San Diego and I worked out of the LA office, but eventually we were all able to take a break from the day-to-day and relax at a beach house with the people that matter most.

    We have a ton of extended family in Los Angeles, so every night was an excuse to drink some wine and hang out. During the day we spend time by the bay and on the beach, the highlights being bonfire night at Bolsa Chica and the Gondola ride! We also celebrated my sister's birthday by hiking up to the Hollywood sign and somehow found time for a Pat Benatar + Berlin concert in Orange County.

    Growing up in Arizona, we always looked forward to summer trips to Long Beach and San Pedro. Sometimes we would stay with our cousins for weeks. We loved hanging out in SoCal and I think we all secretly wished we had grown up alongside all our cousins. Every time we were in town everyone would get together and we'd all hangout, I always thought it was just always like that, but I've realized the very fact that we weren't always there was reason to celebrate when we were. To this day, when the 'Arizona cousins' are in town everyone will take time out of their lives and join the party. Now that I live away from my immediate family, I appreciate this even more. So thank you family for always making the time! And if you haven't spent time with your family lately, you should. It's one of Pope Francis' 10 secrets to happiness!

    The family vacation.

    2014-07-22 20.12.45The bay.

    2014-07-23 10.01.26The beach.

    2014-07-25 05.28.14 An introduction to paddle boarding.

    2014-07-25 05.38.14 I don't normally make my cousin cry.

    2014-07-26 18.17.37 The moms paddle boarding.

    2014-07-26 02.22.24 All of us sisters.

    2014-07-26 02.24.38-1 The birthday girl.

    2014-07-26 02.46.34 The one that most resembles me.

    10495095_10204543241760955_4193936742021576100_o The family.

    2014-07-24 23.42.53 The family tree.

    2014-07-26 09.20.53 The immediate family.

    2014-07-26 09.21.20 2014-07-26 09.21.23 The group hug.

    2014-07-26 09.32.30 The grandmas.

    2014-07-26 09.33.13 The grandpas.

    2014-07-26 09.48.27 The little ones. (Technically, Val and I should be in this photo, but for some reason we are now clumped in with the older cousins! What happened?!)

    2014-07-26 10.02.15 The cousins with new cousins.

    2014-07-27 10.02.10 The pre-gondola ride shot.

    2014-07-26 09.33.13 The sunset.

    2014-07-26 10.00.34 The bonfire.

    2014-07-26 10.15.06 The real sunset.

    2014-07-27 10.19.00 The accidental photograph.

    What did you do with your family this summer?

    Testing 1, 2, 3...

    Trying out the Bamboo paper app. I can't believe I hadn't used it before, I guess I've been out of the app world for a while, but absolutely love it. I've never been great at sketching and I'm practicing to get better. First try on the app:sketches - Etxe - August 1st

    What's your favorite sketching app?

    Resuse, Recycle, Upcycle...Fashion

    Two things I am loving this week that reuse, recycle and upcycle fabrics and thrift store finds for fashion statements. I think the crazy amount of clothing and fabric that exists in the world is a huge problem/waste and I've always been inspired by ways to create with it. And not something ugly and worn, but something fresh and beautiful. Here are two expressions of creators doing just that. Enjoy!

    Refashionista

    Jillian Owens is a writer and refashionista. She finds things you might pass over in thrift stores, and makes them wearable, even chic. She posts her before and after photos at Refashionista, often including how to. Photo via Bored Panda

    Eckhaus Latta

    Eckhaus Latta (the duo Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta) source forgotten fabrics to create futurist wears, and then make Harmony Korine-esque fashion films with filmmaker Alexa Karolinski. F/W14 Photo via Eckhaus Latta