I am beyond excited to tell you all about this new company my friend introduced me to, Walker & Wade by designer & artist Laurette Kittle.

I went to my best friends house for dinner, and we were talking about our upcoming trip to Vegas when she exclaimed “I have to show you what I just bought!!”. She comes out with the prettiest round beach towel and beach kaftan (the Goddess Kaftan) I have ever seen. To be honest, I had never actually seen a round beach towel, and thought it was the coolest thing ever. So unique, and the best part, you can actually wear it. The Goddess Kaftan is gorgeous & luxurious, she bought the Bohemian Rhapsody print (pictured below), and it looks stunning on her. In Vegas, you always seem to have to walk 3 miles to get to the pool area, then the 3 miles back to your room to change clothes. This “beach to table” wear is perfect, since you can wear it to the pool, and then to lunch or dinner without skipping a beat. To be honest, I would be comfortable wearing it anywhere, it is just that pretty.

Being from San Diego, I am always looking for a great beach coverup. I have donned my trusty sarong for years, and it was time to move on. With Walker & Wade, I have graduated to actual resort wear that can take me from the beach, and then back to everyday or night life. I am in love with the short grey Goddess Kaftan and mala beads, so well made and organically sexy.

Laurette Kittle created Walker & Wade, and I am very happy she did. Walker & Wade (which are the middle names of her two sons & husband) was designed out of necessity. Laurette often found herself needing to go straight from the beach to dinner, since both her boys are surfers and would be starving after their surf sesh. She got tired of doing the ol’ changing under a towel dance and decided she could come up with something much easier (and prettier). On a trip to Bali, she created the Goddess Kaftan, with a local tailor. After coming home to Connecticut, she often wore it out and was consistently asked where to buy one. This is when the lights went on and she decided to create the beach-to-table wear Walker & Wade. According to Laurette, the collection reflects her passions: design, color, travel & pattern. All brought together with hand blocked prints from India, hand dyed batiks from Bali, rich organic colors on butter soft fabrics, and custom bead work. The artisans who do the hand beading are women working at home, empowered to provide a better life for their children.

Laurette has a long history in design, she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. She has worked with famous designers, and even had her own successful home goods design company. Walker & Wade was the perfect next chapter in Laurette’s life which she launched in 2014.

“The inspiration for my first collection is to bring a little bit of the beach back home. It’s my “beach-to-table” philosophy: infuse bright vivid colors and a sexy carefree resort style into our day-to-day lives.” – Laurette

Her collection of luxurious resort wear includes everything from beach tunics, beach pants, jackets, mala beads & necklaces, serenity beads & beach accessories (including the amazing round beach towel). If you are looking to update your pool coverup, you have found the right place. You will truly feel like a goddess on the sand wearing anything from Walker & Wade.

Laurette, you’re a goddess and thank you for designing such beautiful (and meaningful) clothing.

Being ocean minded,

Jamah