
I am so happy that I can finally tell you about my collaboration with Caitlin Holcomb.
Caitlin and I have maintained a correspondence since I first ordered a vintage tin from her shop, Nice, in 2007, although I had been admiring her for far longer than that. She was one of my first blog followers. We finally got to meet in person in Chicago this May, and she was as sweet and lovely as expected. I think we write "I wish you lived nearby!" to each other in every third email.
I love the pastel, girly wonderland of her workspace and aesthetic (I often find myself clicking through her Etsy favourites because I am so drawn to the things she loves). She's been featured on Decor8 (among other places); I'm not alone in my admiration. I have quite a lot of Nice around the apartment, including her Happy Cloud light shade, which is in my sewing room.
In the spring of 2009 she proposed that we collaborate. I was so honoured! The deal was that she would design patterns for fabric which we would custom print, and I would sew the fabric. It all moved fairly quickly at first; the name was nearly immediate: Summer Water. "Summer Water" is a song by a musician we both love (Colleen, which is the working name of French composer Cécile Schott), but because it conjures trips to the beach, gentle waves, feet in the sand, and clear blue skies, we knew it was perfect. She showed me some designs within days and designed the beautiful, beautiful logo. We ordered a tiny batch of fabric, and it arrived at my house last summer. And then it sat there. It took me a really long time to come up with just what I wanted to do with the fabric. It was too precious for me to cut into it without a real idea.
I decided that a few simple accessories would be the best way to showcase Caitlin's sometimes delicate, sometimes psychedelic, always beautiful, designs. I made things that I wanted to keep. We have a small selection of backpacks and totes which I will be showing you over the next two weeks. It is really quite small, but our hope is that you will like it and that we will be able to continue.
I have apologized to Caitlin a thousand times for being so slow with my part of the collaboration, but she reminded me that things take as long as they have to take. And we're both so feeling so good about Summer Water right now.
We will launch our shop on August 2 and will also be updating our blog regularly.
Incidentally, I have been smiling to myself for a few months now over the idea that I may bring along some Summer Water to Little Winter.
REPLIES
Eli, tara-lynn, Mamushka Marie, Bekväm, kater, sunshine by sara, chelsea, broom people, Siubhan, robberstore, a., Lexie, Little Boat, Jenny: Thank you all!
lemonade: Thanks, lil' buddy! And I am really into your idea!
Shin Ae: Thank you! I didn't think it looked very good on the hanger -- that's a pretty rare quality in a dress.
May: Thank you! Just the collar is from the vintage pattern -- the rest is from a Japanese sewing book with modifications!
The Sweet Halcyon Days: Thank you! I was glad that they went together pretty well.
SKM: Thank you! I wish I had the confidence to make clothing for other people!
ilovesasek: Thank you! The grey of the wall is actually slightly darker than it appears, and I definitely prefer it to the creamy yellow it used to be!
Anabela! They look so great! I'm so excited to see what you and Caitlin have come up with!
ReplyDeleteI love the name! I think the logo is beautiful and I'm def looking forward to seeing your products!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteOh how exciting! These little tidbits look divine! I can't wait for the shop to go up--congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteyay! I'm obsessed with drawstring bags right now. love.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I am really looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both!
ReplyDeleteso so lovely! i love how this came together for you guys!
ReplyDeletecuuute! love the name and the bags, of course.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteamazement! you two are the definition of perfection as far as collaborators go. & i love the big rope you used for top of the bag cinching action.
ReplyDeleteCollaborations are so fun - the name and that bag are both gorgeous!
ReplyDeletecongratulations, those are beautiful! can't wait to see more :)
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful logo, and lovely lovely bags. i have been wanting a backpack this year. i can't wait to check out the shop when it is open!
ReplyDeletelove, love love the print and what a clever bag design! "summer water to little winter" ha! cute. :)
ReplyDeleteOhhhh this promises to be a good 'un! Congrats to you both, very talented and lovely ladies!
ReplyDeleteOh, how lovely! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely wonderful. Can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteThis is very exciting indeed! You two make the loveliest combination.
ReplyDeleteIt's all so beautiful, what a perfect pairing of minds and talents! Can't wait to see more, I think it was good that you waited so that you could come up with something so fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more pictures. These look beautiful.
ReplyDeletethis is so exciting! congratulations to both of you. can't wait to hear/see more, this is great.
ReplyDeletem
beeeeyooootiful!
ReplyDeleteplease reserve one of the knapsacks for me! i love it!
ReplyDeleteYou and Caitlin are match made in heaven. I love the logo and can't wait for the shop opening!
ReplyDeleteexciting news!! the sneak peeks are enticing. can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteOh, Anabela! This is the most exciting news! I cannot wait to see the rest of the collection. It looks so, so wonderful.
ReplyDeletei love this post. i just recently bought a dress from caitlin, so i really enjoyed hearing all about your connection. congratulations on your new venture.
ReplyDeletethis is so exciting! everything is just beautiful and i love all the little details!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I'm very excited to see what you two ladies have in store. I love this drawstring bag... it does make me think of a day by the seaside. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteWhat exciting news! Thanks for the peek, and congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteyey! much loveliness. i look forward to more!
ReplyDeleteYay! I am so excited for your new project!
ReplyDelete