I designed this set, the Etta Top and Drift Skirt, in the quiet lead up to my dearest friend's wedding in Costa Rica. A balance of structure and ease, I wanted something that would hold the warmth of the air, move through the salt and the sand, and feel easy in the closeness of watching two people I love begin a new chapter. 

Setting the Scene— Nosara, Costa Rica

There’s a quiet rhythm to Nosara. Nestled into the Pacific coast, the jungle meets the ocean to carve out a little slice of paradise. Dusty roads, barefoot mornings, and air that feels both dense and soft at once—it is not a place to be concerned about anything too precious. When I wasn’t barefoot I was wearing, essentially, the one pair of shoes I packed: a navy pair of Tkees flip flops. Packing, I knew I wanted unfussy pieces that could comfortably move from a morning swim to the Farmer’s Market and on to a beachfront sunset dinner.

Event Dressing in a Tropical Climate—

Linen is celebrated as a warm weather fabric for good reason. In the humid seaside air, it breathed, softened, and moved with the body rather than against it. When designing these pieces, I knew 90 degree days coupled with salt water and sand and dirt roads left little room for anything restrictive or fussy. Instead, I became much more focused on how something would sit against my skin, not how it would look from afar. 

Moving from the sunny openness of a beachside ceremony and into the jungle for dinner and dancing, I never felt out of place. Instead, these pieces held their shape and felt grounded enough to move between the earthiness of a dense tree canopy and the breeziness of the coast.

A Seamless Wardrobe Addition—

I see someone who dresses intuitively and values feeling over formality wearing this. She might be traveling (or simply living) somewhere warm, but there’s an intentional ease to how she puts things together.

I imagine her wearing this set on a coastal holiday, walking into a long lunch with sand still on her feet, or later in the evening with something thrown over her shoulders as the air cools and a more tailored sandal—flat or heeled. But equally, I see it in an everyday context worn for a summer in the city and softened by repetition. It’s not tied to a single moment.

The strength of this set is its adaptability. As separates, the Etta Top can shift easily—worn with denim, layered over swim, or paired with something more structured for contrast. The Drift Skirt has a quiet versatility; it can be grounded with something simple like a worn-in tee or elevated with a more tailored piece like a blazer.

Because the palette is soft and considered, both pieces integrate without feeling like they demand attention. Each sits comfortably alongside what someone already owns.

All in the Details—

The tie detail was about softness, but also about agency. It allows the wearer to adjust, to shape the piece to their body and their comfort in the moment. There’s a subtle intimacy to a detail that is not fixed or rigid.

Aesthetically, it introduces a gentleness that balances the structure of the set. It’s feminine, but not overly precious. More than anything, it felt like a natural extension of the mood.

Nosara Favorites—

La Luna — Set on Playa Pelada, this the go-to spot for sunset. Long, family-style tables and candlelight all aglow under bistro lights with the sound of the ocean just a few steps away. The sand glows pink here and we found the most beautiful shells on our walk before dinner!

Coyol — Tucked into a dense and green mountain-top jungle, this special restaurant feels almost hidden. Thoughtful, seasonal food in a space that mirrors the all that surrounds it it. 

The Harmony Hotel— Our home away from home during this celebration. Thoughtful design integrates perfectly into the tree canopy to create a true jungle oasis. Daily yoga and a delicious juice bar didn't hurt either.

Surf Lessons— When in Rome! Nosara is a surfer's paradise, so we couldn't turn down the chance to take on a couple of waves.

Photographer: Raissa and Simon Fotografie