New Pierce County boutique with a beachy, vintage style opens soon
The Big Dark may be upon us, but it’s summer somewhere. At Kspek , Gig Harbor’s newest boutique in the downtown business district with a target opening date of Nov. 28, bold patterns, sun-faded fabrics and the slightly fuzzy, cottony texture of beach towels feature brightly in sweatshirts, jackets and bags. Led by Kathleen Vanderspek, a fashion designer who formerly worked for brands like Tommy Bahama and Buki , a Seattle-based brand specializing in travel luxury wear, the new studio at 7706 Pioneer Way will be Vanderspek’s first brick-and-mortar shop. She previously sold her products online and via Harbornest , another downtown boutique that will continue carrying her products. “I love the nostalgia of a vintage beach towel, and that’s really what drew me to working with them,” said Vanderspek in an interview Tuesday, adding that she grew up on Lake Michigan and spent a lot of time at the pool and going to the beach, taking her beach towel everywhere. Most of the towels she upcycles into sweatshirts and bags are from the ‘80s and ‘90s, she said, which she’s found to hold up over time and that feature playful geometric patterns, fun colors and landscape designs. After leaving
