When I was young, I would look at the wake trailing behind the pontoon as we made our way to the cabin and imagine it was root beer. After a five-minute pontoon ride, my bare feet would touch down on the soft, velvety sand. I’d run up the hill, past the ferns and towering aspens, until my feet landed on the hot wooden boards of the porch. I’d wait, dancing back and forth, toes burning, and after what felt like an eternity, my grandparents would open the front door.

Powdered donuts, Lucky Charms, and all the sweet breakfast foods my parents would never allow lined the pantry shelves. I’d settle into the cozy furniture, donut in hand, and look at the photos on the walls, pictures of my family who had been visiting this cabin for the past 60 years.

Eventually, after sitting still for about a minute, I would beg my grandpa to take me down to the lake to go fishing. In the dark boathouse, my lure box sat in a dusty corner, waiting for me. I’d inch toward the shelf, praying it was free of cobwebs, and the second my little hand grasped the handle of the box, I would bolt outside and kneel on the dock, asking my grandpa to put the sparkliest, pinkiest, glowiest lure on my line. After patiently watching him tie the knot, I would cast my line and watch the lure plop into the lake, sinking into that warm root beer water as the sun reflected golden layers through the depths. I’d breathe in the soft mixture of moss and dirt and find myself at peace. Just a girl on a dock, feet dangling in the water.

“Gone Fishing,” MELKE’s 10th collection, is an ode to growing up on the lake in Minnesota. It’s also a reflection of my 12 years living in New York and a way of paying homage to my roots.

This collection is filled with warm, earthy colors, nostalgic plaids, and colorful prints, each telling the story of a day at the lake. Lures reimagined as beads and feathers evoking the breeziness of ferns accent soft tailoring and relaxed silhouettes, creating a sense of balance and ease. Luxurious knits paired with pleating and button-downs subtly reference the uniform MELKE has become known for. And as always, color brings to life the pleasure of whimsical design.

This season, we invite you to cast a line, breathe deeply, and find peace in the simple joy of the lake.