Well I am BEYOND excited introduce Boavida, my first swimwear collection with Align Swim! Not only did I design the prints but I also got to design the swimwear itself too!! Align gave me so much room to share the story and inspiration that went into it. Align is an amazing female-driven sustainable swim brand — the suits are made with Repreve, a fabric made from post-consumer plastics. So this collab really checks all of my boxes!
There are 3 prints across a variety of pieces, both one-pieces and bikini separates. The collection is named Boavida, as an homage to my adopted homeland of Portugal. Boavida means ‘the good life’ in Portuguese and it’s here that I feel like I’ve really learned to enjoy the abundant pleasures that the natural environment has to offer, particularly with the stunning beaches. The prints are also named in Portuguese… the Ponto print (means ‘dot’), the Arco print (Arco-Iris is rainbow in Portuguese) and the Flores print (means ‘flowers’, of course!). And the pieces themselves, which I designed to have a bit more coverage while still feeling super stylish, fun and feminine, are named after Portuguese women’s names like Ana, Sofia and Joana.
You can see the whole beautiful collection at Align’s website. The collection has a limited run so when it’s gone, it’s gone! I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring one of my longest-standing dreams come true in a way that I just feel so good about. During the process I’ve felt like I’m growing, flourishing and coming into my own in a whole new way. Every fibre in me has been saying, this is where I want to be. It has just fused all of my creative passions, giving me space to explore pattern, fashion, sustainability, storytelling, writing and branding all in one… I feel so fulfilled and still can’t believe it’s real.
universal love for cloud9 fabrics
Well, I am just delighted to share my latest collection for Cloud9 Fabrics. It’s called Universal Love and I hope it feels like a big giant burst of love and positivity. Here is a little something I wrote to introduce the collection:
In times of great change, there are golden opportunities for growth and connection. We are given the chance to see with fresh eyes, to rebuild, to begin again. To reconsider who we want to be, how we want to live, and how we want to love. Universal Love is about awakening to and connecting with these opportunities, surrounding ourselves with the messages that empower and support us, so we can empower and support each other.
It’s been a wild year, to say the least. It’s been full of challenges and heartbreak, but it’s also shown us just how resilient we are, and how far a little love and support truly go. I hope this collection inspires you to share the love, and to infuse your world with reminders of the goodness that comes from opening your heart. Here are some of the makes for the collection so far, and just a little reminder that if you make anything with Universal Love, I would love to see it! Please tag me on your Instagram posts @elizabetholwen. Thanks!
mindful collection with tate + zoey
I always say that my work is driven by the desire to leave something beautiful behind with every step I take. Which is why I am so excited about to share my collaboration with Tate + Zoey, a collection that aims to consider those steps, or footprints, in a different way.
There is nothing more amazing than the natural world, and my deep connection to it pushed us to create this range of products that honour nature, from the artwork itself, to the methods used to bring it to life on products that are conscious about the traces they leave behind. The range uses sustainable materials like bamboo and natural fibres, and considers a more conscious lifestyle.
We want you to feel good about making changes in your life that are kind to the planet, while also creating products that bring joy, inspire you and make your days more beautiful. Here’s to honouring nature and adopting new practices that make the world a more beautiful place, together.
The collection includes a market tote and produce bags that encourage you to eliminate your single-use plastics when you go to the market, reusable water bottles, biodegradable bamboo bowls, kitchen textiles made with natural fibres, candles made with soy wax in beautiful reusable containers that can live on… and more! You can check out the whole collection at www.tateandzoey.com.
