Introducing Worme, a New Line of ’70s-Style Silk Staples Inspired by Summers in Spain

It began on holiday. Every summer, from the ages of 12 and 14, Melissa and Hannah Collett would fly from their childhood home in South West London to the Catalonian village of Cadaqués, which is tucked on a remote stretch along the Mediterranean Sea. Salvador Dalí spent summers there; so did Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, who drew from Cadaqués’s bohemian spirit and transferred it onto blank canvas. “There, you’re surrounded by mountains, and it creates a wild energy,” Melissa says. Taking a cue from those predecessors, the sisters have created Worme, a line of timeless resort pieces that launches today, inspired by those childhood travels.

As teenagers in Cadaqués, the Colletts would wander the cobblestone streets in ’70s separates pilfered from their mother’s closet. “We used to wear our mum’s silks, pieces she’s had since her 20s,” Hannah recalls. “They were so fuss-free and effortlessly elegant—you could really wear them from the beach,” Melissa adds. Hoping to expand their limited stockpile, the precocious pair decided to seek out a local silk supplier and tailor to craft a few easy garments to wear around town. Over the years, they noticed more and more girls in Cadaqués asking after them. Then, last winter, Melissa swung by an A$AP Mob party in Miami and was photographed in languid drawstring pants and an off-the-shoulder top, both cut from the same jewel-toned green silk. The explosive interest that followed compelled the Colletts to leave their full-time jobs (Hannah was a makeup artist; Melissa, a photography agent) and debut their own label.

Worme takes its name from the silkworm (“We added the E for a little bit of excitement,” Hannah says), a reference to the weighted crepe de Chine used to produce each item in London. “The whole point of our brand is that you have these things forever,” Melissa says. Fittingly, the five-piece core collection was inspired by a shot of their mother in steel blue trousers and a pajama-style top. To it, they added a jumble of longtime obsessions: Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin photographs, Matisse and Picasso paintings of Cadaqués, and a slew of ’70s film heroines. “We love glam ’70s women,” Melissa says.

The result is a tightly curated capsule: A floor-sweeping halter dress, banded board shorts, simple tank tops, robe jackets, and flared pants, all rendered in candy apple red, white, or black silk. “The whole point of the brand is to transfer from the ocean to the city,” says Hannah. “It’s easy, you can literally mold silk to any time of day.” And so, the pieces were shot in L.A. by Melissa on model Sam Swan and styled by Hannah, who also did the hair and makeup. Seen on the striking young woman, drifting from beach to street, their idea comes roaring to life.

“We wanted to start really small and very classic,” Melissa explains, “the kinds of pieces every girl should have in her wardrobe, in our opinion.” From this solid foundation, they plan to release a single piece at a time whenever they choose, rather than follow the traditional retail schedule. It’s another glimpse of the free-spirited approach that defines Worme. “There’s a whole lifestyle we’re trying to convey,” Melissa says. “Hannah and I love vacations—I mean, who doesn’t—but we think you’re so inspired and free on holiday, when you’re out of your comfort zone.”