No. 20 - Ellen Dixdotter on Style, Art and Gardening
Plus wish list worthy bags, perfect hats and Nancy Meyers.
Dear reader,
Thank you so much for your kind words on last week’s newsletter, it feels somewhat comforting to know that I am not the only one who holds a personal vendetta against the algorithm. It seems like a lot of us are quite fed up with the way social media works right now and I hope that this newsletter will serve as a little refuge filled with inspiration and contemplation.
This week I’ve been juggling work and two sick kids (which means I will be catching the same cold in 3,2,1..). I’ve treated myself to some mood-boosting flowers and the intoxicating scent of Mimosa has filled up every corner of my living room. An effective and affordable trick to forget about the horrors of winter for a minute.
With Paris Fashion Week going on, I find myself dreaming of fall, when spring has not even arrived yet, and if that’s not a perfect metaphor for humanity, then I don’t know what is. It’s safe to say that my wish list for fall will be never ending this year as well.
Speaking of beautiful clothes, this week’s Aesthetically Speaking interview features none other than the lovely Ellen Dixdotter, CEO of one of my favourite brands, By Malene Birger. She talks style, art, gardening, being offline and eating hazelnut spread straight from the jar. What’s not to love about this woman?
Love,
Carolina
PORTRAIT OF A LADY
After months of thick layers and heavy coats, I’m dreaming of a more sleek, lady like, silhouette and this blazer is the piece de la resistance for the look.
Lipstick, Rose Inc. Earrings, COS. Book, A Horse at Night. Denim, House of Dagmar. Blazer, By Malene Birger. Perfume, Frederic Malle. Bag, Savette. Belt, COS. Boots, COS.
THE INTERVIEW
This weeks Aesthetically Speaking interview features Ellen Dixdotter, CEO of By Malene Birger and Co-Founder of interior brand Cappelen Dimyr. She is a master of the laidback bohemian look with lots of layers and gold jewellery, and together with her sister Maja Dixdotter (Creative Director) she has transformed By Malene Birger into one of the most covetable Scandinavian brands.
The latest addition to my wardrobe is the Cais wool dress from By Malene Birger. A perfect bohemian yet minimalistic centerpiece that saves every day in doubt. Apart from that I love my slippers from The Row in wool and soft shearling.
My beauty essentials are La Mer Genaissance The Infused Lotion, La Mer The Lifting Eye Serum and Sensai Silky Purifying Creamy Soap. For the bath I love Susanne Kaufmann’s Bath Oil for the Senses. Another favourite is Vitaviva’s “Be mindful” supplement. For make up, I love Westman Atelier.
A recent project I’m proud of is the journey we have done with By Malene Birger where we, with the best team spirit I have experienced, have created our own unique universe to escape to. I am also very proud of the interior brand I have co-founded with some of my closest ones; Cappelen Dimyr.
A book I often recommend to others is Greek Fire: The Story of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis! The very hot love story of Aristoteles Onassis and Maria Callas. Cocktail parties, opera, enormous yachts, the Mediterranean, love, and drama. Jackie Kennedy comes in between and Maria sadly dies of heartbreak in Paris. She’s buried at the Pere-Lachaise cemetery along with other legends such as Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Chopin etc. If in Paris, Pere-Lachaise is a very nice walk – it’s wild, mysterious, and absolutely beautiful!
A hobby or skill I’m currently cultivating is gardening! Hobby-gardening almost feels cliché in 2024 but our farmhouse in Skåne has really brought out a new, and more patient, green side of me and my husband.
One thing I learned recently is to “sleep on it” before I respond to emails that irritates me.
One item that is on my wishlist is a painting by Emma Kohlmann.
My biggest indulgence is Expensive French tea by Mariage Frères.
My favorite room in my home is our kitchen. We just renovated our kitchen together with my friend Martina who has started Wood Studio that tailor-makes wood interior in a carpentry here in Skåne. It really turned out the way we wanted, Italian countryside meets British townhouse. We got the inspiration from a massiv wooden cabinet that we bought on auction some years ago and that dominates in our living room.
The podcast I’m listening to: I have over-consumed podcasts the last years, so now I am trying to listen to the sound of the world around me instead. Taking a walk without AirPods is underrated.
The artist I listen to most is Islandman, but also hours of Bossa Nova that my husband has set as our “house sound”.
Someone who’s closet I’d like to raid is Ramya Giangola.
My go-to source for inspiration: I have a pretty big library at home with World of Interiors from the 80s and 90s, never gets outdated.
My style signifier is antique yellow gold jewellery and layers of soft fabrics.
Something I think we’ll see more of in 2024 I believe people will go more offline, but hopefully not to make a statement about it, more just “look up instead of down”. I heard that you find mindfulness by seing far away and preferably in green colors, so I feel blessed to live in Skåne where I basically can see to Denmark from my window.
A recent find is an ancient gold pendant with a green sapphire.
My motto is “Smooth waters never made a good sailor”.
My style icon is my sister Maja.
My guilty pleasure is binge watching docu soaps while eating Gridelli’s hazelnut spread with a spoon.
The perfect Sunday is slow and starts with a long breakfast, and then spent outdoor with my family. In Skåne we have plenty of open air baths, where you can go sauna bathing and ice swimming. That really clears you mind before a new week kicks off.
Someone I love following on Instagram is Malene Malling, my favorite Dane and friend.
A film that deeply resonates with my aesthetics is Fried Green Tomatoes.
Someone I’d love for you to feature in Aesthetically Speaking is Paulina Liffner von Sydow, a very inspiring woman in my life.
Be sure to follow Ellen on Instagram for more inspiration!
ON MY MIND
ON THE WISH LIST. Totême showed their fall collection in Paris a few days ago and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this bucket bag.
MAD ABOUT HATS. I’m seeing beautiful hats everywhere, like this one from Jil Sander, spotted on @melissajanetarling. Photo by @jennieidalind.
BEAUTIFUL BLAZER. This perfectly curved blazer from By Malene Birger makes my heart skip a beat!
FOR THE LOVE OF NANCY. If you love Nancy Meyers movies, you’ll love this episode of Talking Pictures.
🙌🏼🙌🏼
Reading your newsletter is the perfect start to my Friday and the weekend! Lovely as always, Carolina! 🎀✨