The Summer Edit: NYC with Elsi Marie
Written & Interviewed by : Jacqueline Rappa and Hannah Corbett
Shades of pink, polka dots, and decorative bows. That’s what caught our eye the moment the Havens team stepped into the Elsi Marie pop-up last weekend. Located on a quaint block in the East Village, the space was thoughtfully curated to stop any fashion girl in her tracks. The window display alone featured pearls, vintage accents, and silk scarves – an ode to all things feminine and nostalgic.
Elsi Marie, a fashion design student at the Fashion Institute of Technology with a focus on special occasion wear, began her design journey in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, where she first learned to sew. Now based in New York City, Marie specializes in creating contemporary, high-quality, custom-made pieces.
Much of her inspiration comes directly from the streets of New York. “I have so many photos on my phone of just random cuts,” she shared. “You see something and you’re like, that’s perfect. There’s just such variety here. I can be inspired by nature, the buildings, or just the people. There’s so much to look at.”
When the Havens team first got the invitation a couple of months ago, the Elsi Marie pop-up felt like a distant date on the calendar—something dreamy and exciting, but still far away. And then suddenly, we were in it. Living it. For the first time, almost the entire team was together in one space (minus one), sharing in Elsi Marie’s first-ever NYC pop-up. It was a first for all of us, and yet everything about it felt so natural—like this was exactly where we were meant to be.
Marie told Havens that her latest collection, DEBUT, draws from the work of fashion photographer Henry Clarke and historic architecture, both of which symbolize a timeless sense of elegance. This inspiration is reflected in the collection’s vibrant prints, rich colors, and classic silhouettes.
Artful. Maximalist. Classic. Feminine. These are the words she uses to define her brand. Her ideal shopper? Someone confident in her style, unapologetically feminine, and unafraid to stand out.
Havens Visual Designer, Kitty Murphy, instantly fell in love with the Polka Dot Elsi Top and Skirt, crafted from a stunning pale pink silk. The skirt is an effortless piece to slip on any day: extra chic in its playful polka dot fabric and the perfect balance of elegance and fun. With her signature attention to detail, Marie took Murphy’s measurements and will be creating a custom set, tailored just for her.
And we can’t forget the matching polka dot headbands, a playful accessory the Havens interns couldn’t pass up. They’re the perfect way to add a pop of personality to any outfit.
When we stepped outside to interview Elsi for the feature, it felt like double vision. On one hand, there she was—radiant and proud, talking about her debut collection with a kind of calm confidence that made you believe in everything she was building. And on the other, through the soft blue and gold bay window, we could see the rest of our team inside, chatting with the Elsi Marie crew, trying on the colorful designs, and welcoming new customers into the space. The vibe was exactly what it sounds like. Imagine if LoveShackFancy and Sherri Hill had a baby—soft, feminine, classic, with a touch of whimsical edge. The exposed brick walls and splashes of pink and green across the clothing brought it all to life. Hannah, Mallory, and Quincy each slipped on headbands—some floral, some pastel polka dots—and in that moment, I swear we were all channeling our inner Blair Waldorf. Whether it was the headband or the city magic, a wave of chic washed over me.
As we left the pop-up, the city all in a roar, there was this collective feeling in the air—like we’d just witnessed the very beginning of something special. Elsi stood smiling, surrounded by racks of her pieces, each one telling its own story. Inside, customers lingered, soaking in the magic. And I couldn’t stop thinking about how surreal it all felt, that something that started as a sketch in her notebook had bloomed into a universe we could all step into.
That’s the beauty of a pop-up: it’s not just shopping, it’s storytelling. And Elsi told hers with heart. From the curated space to the vibrant textures, to the way we all slipped on pieces of the brand and instantly felt like the elevated, confident versions of ourselves, it was all intentional. All her. And as she heads into a summer interning at LoveShackFancy and growing her made-to-order brand, I have no doubt that this was only chapter one. Someday soon, I know we’ll be watching her designs glide down the runway at New York Fashion Week, and we’ll remember the little pop-up storefront where it all began.