Inspired to find a more approachable format, Deshpande developed Journer, a notebook and guide with 75 prompts, six templates, and tips  to help anyone start on their journaling journey.

“Unlike traditional guided journals, which can feel repetitive, or blank notebooks which provide zero guidance, Journer offers a unique mix of guidance and freedom,” she says, noting that the act of writing down your thoughts “can help reduce stress and anxiety, regulate emotions, boost happiness, and improve self-awareness and cognitive functions like problem-solving and memory.”

Deshpande donates 5% of all Journer proceeds to the National Alliance for Mental Illness.

The post Journal Journey appeared first on Seattle magazine.

“When the proposal came to build the Kingdome, the neighborhood had a strong reaction,” says Jared Jonson, the co-executive director of the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) with Jamie Lee. The organization, founded in 1975 as a city-chartered community development agency, partly in reaction to growing concerns about the economic and social future of the district, is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with events throughout the year.

“Community leaders, business and property owners, and residents expressed deep concern about the long-term impacts of the stadium and other large-scale construction projects proposed at the time,” Jonson explains. This included possible displacement of low-income residents, rising property taxes, increased traffic, reduced access to parking, and the long-term erosion of the neighborhood’s cultural and historic character. In some ways, the situation rang like déjà vu: in the 1960s, when the neighborhood was sliced in half due to the disruptive construction of the I-5 freeway, dozens of blocks disappeared, and many businesses and residents were forced to leave their longtime homes.

“It was a time of urban renewal,” says SCIDpda co-executive director Jamie Lee. “The perfect storm of things was happening, and we needed an organization to steward the Chinatown- International District.”

Saving the neighborhood. Robert Nicholas “Bob” Santos (1934–2016) sits in one of the substandard hotel room apartments under renovation through one of InterIm’s programs in 1980. Santos spent most of his life as an activist in his old neighborhood—saving it, nurturing it, and defending it against outside threats, whether environmental, cultural, or political. From 1989 to 1993, Santos oversaw the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation Authority.

Photo by MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.160.07.01

“This was post–Civil Rights movement,” adds Jonson. “Our neighborhood and community were asking for access to housing, jobs, better education, and healthcare. At the time, a lot of nonprofits were replacing the protests of the ’60s. The identity of how we were formed ties into that community-led organization and advocacy work.”

Although the kingdome protestors failed to stop the construction of the stadium, they helped kick off a movement that led to the formation of SCIDpda, which would become a powerful force in the preservation and uplift of the Chinatown-International District by focusing on three specific areas: real estate development, property management (primarily mixed-use buildings with affordable housing), and community development and engagement. This includes senior services and the formation of the IDEA Space, rebranded in 2018 as Community Initiatives, which focuses on public realm improvements, small business support, and community advocacy around large-scale events like the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“SCIDpda has 13 properties that we own or manage, which equates to 559 units of affordable housing,” says Jonson, noting that the Bush Hotel was the first property the organization purchased, in 1978. Most residential tenants earn at or below 30% of the area median income, making SCIDpda’s effort to provide and retain affordable housing a vital resource for the neighborhood. The properties also support commercial and civic spaces such as restaurants, shops, a health clinic, a public library branch, and a community center.

The organization’s goal with property management is to support independent and family-owned businesses, and crucially, help them stay in the community. Of the 13 properties SCIDpda manages, five are owned by local families. As a nonprofit, SCIDpda also benefits from the management fees, which go towards covering their operating costs.

“We have 53 employees,” Jonson says. “Half of them are in operations—janitors, building managers—and half are limited in English proficiency. We like to hire from the neighborhood, and we have a range, from older Chinese guys to our younger Gen Z staff.”

“We’re not going anywhere despite what you hear on the news. The neighborhood is not dying—anyone can come down here and see that it’s very much thriving.”

This mix reflects the diversity of the area, which is home to many intergenerational families: a much-hoped-for focus of future housing projects. Rather than following the one-and-two bedroom trend seen elsewhere in the city, Jonson and Lee aim to bring the area additional housing that reflects its social and cultural needs, as apartments with three or four bedrooms that can accommodate families where parents, children, and grandchildren live under the same roof—a common household structure for many cultures around the world. (The first project of this type in the neighborhood, International District Village Square II, was built in 2004.)

Currently, SCIDpda is involved in the Little Saigon Landmark Project—a co-development with Friends of Little Saigon (FLS) slated for a piece of land at South Jackson Street and 10th Avenue South. Although still in the design and permitting phase, the plans include a Vietnamese Culture and Economic Center (managed by FLS), affordable housing, commercial space, offices, and community meeting areas. Like much of SCIDpda’s work, it’s a positive light pointed towards a prosperous and more equitable future—and proof that the neighborhood continues to rise above the onslaught of negative news coverage that has plagued it in recent years. According to Lee, SCIDpda is choosing to focus on the positive, like the 35 new businesses that have opened since 2023.

“We’re not going anywhere despite what you hear on the news,” says Jonson. “The neighborhood is not dying—anyone can come down here and see that it’s very much thriving.”

Voice for the people. Bruce Perry (left), head of the Central Area Public Development Authority listens to Ben Woo (right), head of the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority in 1984. Woo championed low-income housing for elderly Asians, and was active in the establishment of the Wing Luke Museum.

Photo by MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.232.28.08, Photo By Sherry Bockwinkel

This upward trajectory would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and unwavering support from SCIDpda over the past five decades. To mark the milestone, the organization hosted a series of guided neighborhood tours throughout the year (the final one will be on September 18), each based on a different time period and topic. On November 8th, the SCIDpda 50th Anniversary Gala will celebrate the many triumphs of the organization, while raising money to help it continue to push the Chinatown-International District towards its next decade—
and beyond.

“What I want in the next 50 years is for the neighborhood not to [necessarily] look exactly the same, but to have the same feeling,” says Lee. “People arguing over table tennis and older ladies playing mahjong in the park—if that’s still happening, that’s where we’ll know we have been successful.”

The post Resistance Turned to Resilience appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Every year, about 20,000 visitors and another 16,000 schoolchildren enter through the massive bronze doors of the legislative building in Olympia. “Does Trump live here?” is a perennial question. Sorry, kids—this is Washington state, not Washington, D.C.—but it’s easy to see how they could make that mistake.

The legislative building, completed in 1928, is designed to wow. It’s home to the tallest masonry dome in North America. Believe it or not, the only thing holding that dome together is gravity.

The legislative building, along with the capitol campus, is open to the public. There are 42 steps to the entrance, which is intentional because Washington is the 42nd state. You can wander around the building on a self-guided tour or join a 50-minute guided tour. It’s a really nice way to spend a day, and it’s all free. Even parking is free on weekends ($2 an hour on weekdays). Volunteer guides lead tours of the legislative building six times a day on weekdays and four times on weekends. No tickets or reservations are needed—just walk up to the information desk inside the main entrance. Tours take place nearly every day of the year, except for Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Tip: The capitol campus hosts 200 students a day from January to June. Visit outside those months for easy parking and a quieter experience.

World’s largest Tiffany chandelier in the rotunda of the legislative building.

Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

Find the butterfly in the Italian marble on the walls of the state reception room.

Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

When you step onto the rotunda floor, you’ll see why this space hosts proms and weddings in addition to bill signings and speeches. It’s impressive. Stand next to the state seal in the middle of the floor and look up 287 feet to the top of the cupola. You could set the Statue of Liberty on the seal and it’d fit in the building.

The light fixtures throughout the building are designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany—yes, as in Tiffany & Co. The world’s largest Tiffany chandelier hangs in the middle of the rotunda. At the time, it cost $1 per pound, so $10,000 for the 5-ton bronze chandelier.

Another showstopper on the tour is the state reception room, which is used as a formal receiving room for dignitaries and curious tourists. The slabs of veined Italian marble on the walls act like a giant Rorschach test. Can you find the butterfly? How about the dead rat? If you play piano, you’re invited to try out the historic Blüthner piano in the corner.

This room is where legislators stop by to greet school groups. About 250 schools tour the capitol campus every year. “The kids ask the most interesting questions,” says Jamie Bassett, tours program supervisor. “They always want to know if there is any gold in the building.” Psst, there is, but it’s not super obvious. Look closely—the curtains in the state reception room contain a bit of gold thread.

If you email ahead, you can request free outdoor tours of the capitol’s memorials and horticulture. Each one is about an hour long. The memorial tour takes you to poignant monuments honoring Washingtonians who died in wars and in the line of duty.

The botanical tour takes you through the original plans by the Olmsted Brothers, the same landscape design firm behind New York City’s Central Park. “It’s a museum of trees,” says public tours supervisor Jesse Morrow. “There are a lot of trees on the tour.” You’ll visit the national champion English oak, the largest of its kind in the country. Outside the governor’s mansion are the three magnolias Gov. Gary Locke planted for his three children, and the dogwood Gov. Chris Gregoire planted for her daughter’s wedding. 

The Winged Victory statue features Nike, Greek goddess of victory, and honors Washingtonians who died in World War I.

Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

While capitol tours are strictly apolitical, you’ll learn some fun trivia about our elected leaders. Did you know Gov. Bob Ferguson’s cat has his own Instagram page? Give the feline influencer a follow at @first.cat.peter. And if you’re looking for the governor himself, he’s the guy with the red JanSport backpack and the lime LaCroix.

The post Capitol Curiosity appeared first on Seattle magazine.

“That idea runs through our whole program,” says James Bell, senior marketing manager at 1 Hotel Seattle. “We have multiple living pieces of art around the hotel, including two living walls. We worked with a local company called Floraform.” Guests are greeted with the studio’s installation as soon as they walk into the lobby, where a two-story living wall behind the main staircase depicts a mural of Mount Rainier made with a variety of mosses and reclaimed wood. Another living mural appears at the entrance of the hotel’s restaurant, La Loba, and smaller works dot the halls and other public spaces. “They worked on the bigger piece for 13 months,” Bell says. 

Additional local connections include the staircase’s hand-stitched leather rail, crafted by Jeffrey Randall of Leather Haut, which features more than 6,500 individual stitches; a workshop partnership with Capitol Hill boutique Glasswing; locally made products in the gift shop, and select décor sourced from around the city. The décor—in the guest rooms, lobby, and bar—skews Scandinavian-modern-meets-rustic-woodland, with wood furniture and accents, earth tones, and textured upholstery, and plenty of green plants for a nature-inspired ambiance.

A light-filled studio suite includes a sitting area at one end. Live plants are an important addition to the décor, bringing a natural touchstone into the décor.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

Spacious bathrooms include a filtered water tap, and in some room configurations, a tub.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

Just off the lobby sits Drift, the hotel’s cocktail bar and lounge—where guests can get a before-dinner drink or start the morning off sipping coffee or a smoothie—with its inventive libations that focus on regional flavors such as rainier cherries, wild blackberries, and herbal aromas. (The Spotted Rose is a delightful spritzy sipper with champagne foam and rose powder; the bright pink color belies its tart finish.)

At Drift lounge, which sits just off the lobby, a wood shelf is filled with locally found treasures and an abundance of greenery.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

For food, La Loba is the star of the show—a culinary cascade of flavors with influences from Spain, Japan, and, of course, the Northwest. The night we went, there was a live Spanish guitar trio that set the tone for the evening and served as the backdrop for a bustling crowd, many of whom looked dressed up and ready for a night at the theater or out on the town. 

La Loba is a striking, and delicious, addition to Seattle’s culinary scene, with Spanish-inspired dishes, live music on selected nights, and an outdoor patio for al fresco dining.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

“La Loba was born from my roots in Barcelona and years of cooking in different contexts, now landing in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest,” says Oscar Amador, the James Beard-nominated chef behind the hotel’s culinary program. “My inspiration is heritage married with what grows around here—technique, respect for product, simplicity, elegance. I wanted to create a menu that feels honest, that honors Spanish tradition while letting local seafood, produce, and flavors shine.”

And shine, they do. The night we went, we ordered a la carte (La Loba offers a tasting menu as well) starting with the patatas bravas (they come in long french-fry-like pieces, with dozens of layers of thinly sliced, crispy potato—we were obsessed) and scallop bucatini and opting for the hangar steak and pan-roasted black cod as mains. (The latter of which was cooked excellently, arriving on a bed of kimchi and assorted pickled vegetables. I don’t eat meat, so I didn’t try the steak, but my fiancé’s empty plate was evidence of a meal well enjoyed.) Portions are large, and we definitely over ordered, but it was a nice change from the rash of upscale restaurants serving three-or-four-bite entrees that leave you hungry a few hours later. 

La Loba’s scallop crudo appetizer brings the creamy mollusk together Tom Kha sauce, candied lime, and pickled jalapeño.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

“Barcelona taught me precision, balance, and technique,” says Amador, who points out the Punk Caesar, Trinxat croquetas, and lamb loin as highlights. “How to build flavor carefully, how simplicity can be powerful. Seattle brings freshness, a sense of season, wild ingredients, seafood, incredible produce. At La Loba I aim to merge those sensibilities: using classic Spanish methods (like slow braises, drying, fermenting, olive oil, traditional flavor profiles) but with Pacific Northwest ingredients—local vegetables, seafood, meat, seasonal picks. It’s a conversation: my heritage gives structure; this place gives inspiration and raw material.”

Another aspect that the hotel has doubled down on is its approach to health and fitness, which extends beyond your typical tiny gym with a few weights, mats, and treadmills. “1 Hotel Seattle is designed to bring the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty indoors, and the wellness program reflects that,” says Morgan Zion, the property’s in-house wellness coach. “We offer yoga and wellness classes, seasonal workshops, the Wildhaus sauna, free daily passes to Dryp Yoga [a studio located just across from the hotel entrance], and our fully equipped Field House fitness center.” (Pick up the forthcoming November/December issue to read more about Wildhaus, a unique floating sauna that casts off from the shores of Lake Union. With the hotel’s partnership, guests are whisked to and from the dock in electric Audis.) In the lobby, a farmstand featuring fresh, locally sourced fruit offers healthy (and free) snacks, and each room has a filtered water tap to encourage continued hydration. 

There is no traditional spa on the property, but Zion says that’s intentional. “Instead, we focus on curated wellness experiences,” she explains. “Guests can book private yoga or movement sessions, enjoy the Wildhaus sauna, or participate in seasonal offerings like sound baths and meditation sessions. The goal is to create restorative, nature-inspired experiences rather than a standard spa menu.” If you’re tight on time, the hotel is located perfectly for walking to some of the city’s most popular tourist destinations; with so much access to water, green space, and bike trails, making the city your gym is a great way to see the sites and get in your steps for the day. 

The post 1 Hotel is a Hidden Gem in South Lake Union  appeared first on Seattle magazine.

This is what sets the stage for Seattle’s first Outdoor Fashion Week, running Oct. 7-12 in Pioneer Square. Centered at Populus Seattle and RailSpur, the week brings together heritage brands, innovative designers, and the outdoor community for conversations, pop-ups, performances, and workshops.

“Seattle is uniquely positioned as a hub for outdoor exploration,” says Juriana Spierenburg, organizer of Seattle Outdoor Fashion Week and hotel manager of Populus Seattle. “We have the Puget Sound at our doorstep, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges within an hour’s drive, and temperate rainforests like the Hoh Rain Forest that are unlike anything else in the continental United States. This diverse landscape means Seattleites need versatile, weather-adaptive clothing that can transition from urban environments to hiking trails, from misty mornings to sunny afternoons, often within the same day.”

Seattle Outdoor Fashion Week promotional artwork.

Image courtesy of Seattle Fashion Week

The week’s programming reflects that balance of history and experimentation. Highlights include a panel and silent film screening that nods to Seattle’s Gold Rush past, a circular fashion showcase from Kim McCormick and Barbie Bond, and a participatory night with Crowd Source Choir. The centerpiece is “A Tribute to Filson,” celebrating the 128-year-old brand with panel talks, live demos, and DJ sets. Notable partners and participants include Westland Distillery, Lowlander Brewery (set to open later this year at RailSpur from Sea Creatures), Best Day Brewing, and Forest for the Trees.

Organizers hope the festival will build cultural and economic traction during what’s traditionally a slow month for the city, the kind of draw fashion weeks generate in New York, Paris, and Milan.

Spierenburg points out that Pioneer Square’s cobblestone streets and historic architecture evoke neighborhoods like SoHo in New York City, one of the world’s major fashion destinations. “We want to honor that legacy while creating something distinctly Seattle—building on our authentic roots in functional, adventure-ready design,” she says.

Proceeds from the week will support Treehouse’s “Raincoats for Kids” program, which provides foster youth with outdoor gear and opportunities to connect with nature. “Exploring the outdoors as a child has always been a huge privilege for me—getting your first hiking boots, your first winter ski outfit, your first rain coat,” Spierenburg says. She believes those early experiences create lasting connections to nature. “When children fall in love with the outdoors, they learn to appreciate and cherish nature for the long run. Especially with the challenges of climate change, this education is crucial.”

The week is also a chance to frame Seattle’s style more broadly. “Seattleites are incredibly functional in their approach to fashion,” Spierenburg says. “Here, style has always been about form meeting function—clothing that performs as well as it looks. This pragmatic aesthetic has given rise to some of the best outdoor and lifestyle brands in the world. Seattle deserves recognition as a fashion capital in its own right, particularly in the outdoor fashion space.”

Ticket options vary by event; find more details and purchase here. 

The post Seattle’s First Outdoor Fashion Week Lands in Pioneer Square appeared first on Seattle magazine.

This season, these five things make it easy to step out and bring a little something back with you.

1. Let it glow

Oct. 11 | Green Lake

Show up to the Water Lantern Festival before sunset, decorate a lantern with whatever’s on your mind—names, dreams, things you need to let go—and watch it join hundreds of others on the lake. As they drift, the water begins to glow, a good reminder that even as the days get darker, there’s light to carry forward. The lanterns are eco-friendly and collected afterward. Bring a blanket and the people you want beside you as we head into winter.

2. Re-frame of mind

Oct. 16–23 | SIFF Cinema Uptown

Fall is for turning inward, and there’s no better way to do that than sitting in a dark theater with a documentary that challenges how you see the world. SIFF DocFest presents a week of new, thought-provoking films from around the globe—stories of wild escapes, layered histories, and people chasing something bigger than themselves. Expect filmmaker talks, special events, and that post-screening feeling where you walk out changed.

3. Pick a good one

Now through October | Lynden, WA

This is the season to venture out of the city in search of apples and country air. Bellewood Farms & Distillery  is the largest orchard in Western Washington, with 22 apple varieties, including a full Honeycrisp grove. U-pick runs Wednesday through Sunday, with cider, pastries, and orchard-distilled spirits waiting at the farm store. It’s a two-hour drive north of Seattle, and the views of Mount Baker and the turning leaves makes it a beautiful day trip. Come home, put cider on the stove, and start coring apples for pie.

4. Stirring the pot

Ongoing | Ballard

There’s nothing like cooking as the weather cools and we start to nest. The Pantry offers small group classes on everything from ramen to Roman pasta in a space that feels more like a friend’s kitchen than a classroom. A glass of wine (or a nonalcoholic drink) kicks things off, and another accompanies the meal. By the end, you’ve cooked with strangers who don’t feel so unknown anymore.

Le Carreau des Halles (1880) by Victor Gabriel Gilbert (France)

Photo courtesy of American Federation of Arts

5. The art of eating

Oct. 23–Jan. 18, 2026 | Seattle Art Museum

Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism is SAM’s new exhibit exploring how food and farming historically shaped everyday life and how artists captured that in 19th- century France. Market scenes, country tables, and lush still lifes by Monet, Gauguin, and other talents appear alongside works that explore themes of labor, class, and identity. A good reminder that food has always been more than just what’s on the plate.

The post Fave Five: Settling into Fall appeared first on Seattle magazine.

“By giving young designers mentorship from seasoned professionals and a platform to share their work, we’re helping to strengthen the regional fashion community and ensure local school programs thrive,” says Jennifer Leavitt, senior vice president of marketing for the Bellevue Collection. “Amplifying young voices in the fashion industry is essential for forecasting trends and bringing fresh, diverse perspectives to the forefront.”

Students participating in fashion and design-focused programs at the four colleges were invited to apply to the showcase, and two from each school were chosen to participate. “We looked for students who bring passion, creativity, confidence and fresh perspectives to fashion,” says Leavitt. Each New & Next designer will present two original looks at the Collective Runway Show at Fashion Week. Since the program kicked off in February, the students have had the opportunity to work with industry mentors to develop and make their pieces, learning about materials, fit, and garment finishing, as well as what it takes to produce a fashion show. After their debut, the student designs will be on display at the Bellevue Square shopping center from September 29 through October 9. 

“We’re providing student designers with mentorship, industry insight, and the invaluable experience of seeing their work on the runway,” Leavitt says. “Our goal is to uplift these students and offer them a real-world platform to share their creativity, gain exposure and grow professionally while working alongside seasoned fashion designers and producers.”

Seattle had the opportunity to chat with the participating designers; read on to hear about their work. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Gerardo Castillo Regalado, Central Washington University

Runway Looks: “My design aesthetic is rooted in the unapologetic rawness of urban culture and shaped by the defining moments of my life, with each garment serving as a bold visual and emotional statement. Influenced by pain, resilience, and the shared struggles of marginalized communities, I use fashion as a form of resistance and remembrance.”

Inspiring Trends: Urban culture, reimagining the male silhouette, sustainability.

Future’s Bright: “I’m excited about the continued shift toward sustainability, where ethics are finally being prioritized over profit. I’m also inspired by the rise of gender-fluid fashion, which is breaking down barriers and allowing the male silhouette to be reimagined without shame.”

Meli Rivera Garcia, Central Washington University

On Aesthetics: “Bold, vibrant, and unapologetically pink. These looks are rooted in experiencing love as a queer Latino: Layered, complex, and deeply personal. I incorporated a handwoven textile made with my family using a traditional petate weaving technique passed down from my grandmother and mother. I also used pink-dyed leather alongside sheer organza to represent the contrast of resilience and softness; how, as a trans person, you often need tough skin to move through the world, while still holding onto your inner softness.”

Trend Spotting: Meaningful designs, vibrant color, traditional petate weaving.

Looking Forward: “I am excited about the growing emphasis on sustainable fashion and meaningful design. Being resourceful has always been important to me, and I love seeing how innovation in fashion can come from reimagining materials and traditions.”

Annie Tempest, Seattle Central College

On Pursuing Fashion: “I have a previous degree in English and a background working in education, but as a kid I wanted to be an artist and to make things with my hands. When thinking about the next step in my career, I came back to that childhood dream and fused it with my love of nature to pursue design to protect and celebrate the natural world.”

Describe Your Work: “My work is centered around using my creativity, love of storytelling, and awe of nature to perpetually learn and challenge myself. My goals as a designer are to inspire connections with other living organisms and ecosystems, to increase accessibility to sustainability, and to build community.”

Lessons Learned: “I have learned that I love using design to solve problems. My designs are informed by how they will be worn and used and how they can be a part of more sustainable and circular systems.”

Max Moreno Rebollar, Seattle Central College

Design Approach: “I am most interested in designing clothing that look great while also offering some functionality to the wearer. This can be done by trying to make clothing more comfortable by using specific fabrics or adding unique details. I’m really inspired by other designers like Greg Jackson and _J.L-A.L_ where they use 3D design software to motivate their designs.”

Inspiring Trends: Technical men’s clothing, invisible pockets.

Future’s Bright: “A trend I’m excited to see is technical clothing design elements trickling down into men’s clothing. I love to see technical design features like invisible pockets used more in menswear.”

James Faull, Seattle Pacific University

Inspirations: “The leading inspiration for my designs is how a garment is going to function and feel in a specific environment. While I focus on specific environments, my goal with each piece is to design something versatile. I seek to design garments that function perfectly for their desired use and look so good that you can wear them for a variety of other purposes. This approach comes from my background as an action sports athlete. I began skiing when I was 2 years old and have pursued it ever since. Whether function or fashion, skiing or running, I have always felt that I have an eye for what is good, what is great, and what may be ming from a garment.”

Trending Now: “The athleisure trend has been around for quite a while, but I see space for evolution rather than extinction. When people think of athleisure, they often think of cozy multifunctional garments. I see it this way too, but I want to take it a step further. I want to exaggerate the performance side of athleisure, while maintaining the comfort and style that the target audience loves.”

Jennifer Erendira-Gallardo, Seattle Pacific University

On Pursuing Fashion: “I come from a humble background and have worked my way into the industry through dedication, skill, and perseverance. Since childhood, I have pursued the tenacious dream of becoming a fashion designer by working very hard academically to acquire the skills necessary to enter the industry.”

Self-Described Style: Exquisite, Regal, Romantic.

Design Process: “Although the process for working on this collection was challenging, I would overall describe this experience as rewarding. Throughout this project, I enhanced my designs through the usage of valuable feedback that I received from mentors.”

Lessons Learned: “I learned that I underestimate my potential abilities when it comes to creating my designs. In exploring new methods for enhancing designs, I found that I am capable of doing things beyond the boundaries that I set myself.”

Alizee Hargrove, Washington State University

Describe Your Work: “My work blends classic tailoring with unexpected, edgy details that keep it fresh and modern.”

Inspiring Trends: Neo-tailoring, corsetry revival, gender-fluid suiting.

Background: “I pursued design to have a creative outlet from my second degree in accounting. Fashion gives me the freedom to be bold and expressive, which balances the structure and logic of numbers.”

Learning Experience: “I’ve learned to trust my instincts and discovered that my strength lies in balancing sophistication with a daring edge.”

Kiah Conway, Washington State University

Real-Life Inspiration: “The parts of life that bring me happiness, wherever it may come from. It could be from the vibrant colors in my mother’s flower garden, the joy I felt when I was taught traditional beading from my Native American elders, or the fun I found when I was only 6 years old sewing my first project. My experiences and small pockets of happiness blend into my designs.”

Trendspotting: Maximalism, vibrant color, Native American beading traditions. “I am a huge fan of the maximalist approach to fashion. More specifically I love the mix of textures, patterns, and silhouettes that push the boundaries of what personal style is.”

The post Generation Next: Young, Local Fashion Designers to Hit the Runway  appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Since this is our annual Travel & Design issue, I thought I’d share a few objects in my life that embody the above. Each one sparks joy. First, my vintage Eames La Chaise. Designed in 1948 by Charles and Ray Eames, it’s as much sculpture as seating. Its “biomorphic,” almost wind-sculpted form both excites the senses and invites relaxation, a paradox that keeps me looking at it from different angles every time I walk past. It’s functional, yes, but also a love letter to the human form and famous modernist interpretations of it (think Gaston Lachaise’s Floating Figure or Henry Moore’s Reclining Figures). This chair has been with me for 35 years through three architecturally different homes, yet it never fails to level-up any space.

Second, my Patek Philippe Calatrava wristwatch. It’s been said that great design happens when there is nothing more to subtract. The Calatrava is spare, understated, and utterly confident in its simplicity. The case lines are so clean they almost disappear, leaving only the disciplined sweep of the second hand and the minimal hash-marks at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 positions. This watch doesn’t shout luxury—it whispers… permanence. And in that whisper, I’m reminded that the best designs are never about chasing trends. In a sea of large diving watches and chronographs, it quietly renders itself with restrained elegance.

And finally, my Chemex Coffee Maker. An hourglass of glass and wood, this little miracle transforms a morning ritual into something meditative. Watching coffee bloom through its paper filter is like seeing something otherworldly in real time—slow, precise, and rewarding. It is a perfect fusion of engineering and drama, and a reminder that great design doesn’t have to be rare or expensive to feel extraordinary.

All of these things are beautiful not because they are mine, but because they are evidence of what happens when people fully commit themselves to the marriage of form and function. In them, I’m reminded that beauty is a luxury—it’s forged from talent, sweat, and joy.

There is something else besides great design that is equally nourishing: “cultural literacy.” And I’d like to introduce you to someone who has that in spades, among other things; our new editor-in-chief, Rachel Gallaher. Known for her ability to balance cultural sophistication with an approachable warmth, she has spent her career exploring the intersections of art, design, lifestyle,
and community while writing for national magazines like Architectural Digest, Robb Report, Dwell, and Architectural Record. Her vision for Seattle magazine is rooted in a definite worldliness, celebrating all the beautiful and artistic endeavors that elevate our city and make it the world class place we know it to be.

So, as we open this Travel & Design issue, I hope you’ll look around—at your home, your neighborhood, your city—and notice the beauty that’s already woven through it. And then imagine what’s still to come. With Rachel’s vision guiding this publication, we’re not just reporting on design and culture—we’re helping to shape the next chapter of our city’s story. Let’s make it one worth remembering.

The post Publisher’s Notebook: A Well Designed Life appeared first on Seattle magazine.