Hi, I'm Kathleen van der Spek and Kspek is my collection of one-of-a-kind, handmade sweatshirts and bags crafted from vintage beach towels. Each piece carries a sense of nostalgia, with colors, patterns, and textures that tell a story of summers past. No two items are alike—every towel brings its own unique vibe, making each creation truly special.

From an early age, I learned to sew alongside my mother and grandmother, transforming scraps into something new. Sewing quickly became a part of who I am. As a teenager, making my own clothes was a way to express creativity and develop a personal style. My family’s values—thrifting, hand-me-downs, “less is more,” and “quality over quantity”—deeply shaped my approach to fashion and design.

I studied fashion design and marketing at Ball State University, which led to a career designing for corporate fashion brands in New York, Seattle, and San Francisco. Working directly with factories in China and Hong Kong taught me the complexities of mass production. However, I became increasingly aware of the waste and overconsumption in the industry. This realization led me to leave corporate fashion and start my own line, the Kathleen van der Spek Collection, producing in small, local factories in San Francisco.

Because nothing captures nostalgia, color, and texture quite like a vintage beach towel. These towels are more than just fabric—they’re memories woven into cotton, a throwback to carefree summers, sun-soaked afternoons, and the bold, playful prints of the '70's, ’80s and ’90s. Some feature sculpted textures, others have faded hues softened by time, but all of them hold a story waiting to be retold. At Kspek, I celebrate everything that makes beach towels special, framing their patterns, textures, and retro charm in a way that transforms them into something entirely new—one-of-a-kind pieces that feel both familiar and fresh.