Emily Starobrat, a Los Angeles-based artist and fashion designer, has revolutionized the concept of wearable art through her brand, Denem. By transforming denim into intricate, personalized masterpieces, she uses a rotary tool to carve her unique designs into the fabric. This technique, which she developed after discovering a passion for textiles at Parsons School of Design, allows her to blend fine art with fashion. Inspired by her grandmother and the nostalgic culture of early 2000s Los Angeles, her designs feature motifs like tigers, florals, and embroidery patterns reminiscent of objects from her childhood. Her deeply personal and evocative creations have garnered international attention and a growing list of celebrity clients.

Starobrat’s process of sanding and drawing on denim not only showcases her artistic skills but also highlights her commitment to sustainability. She repurposes fabric scraps to create new pieces and releases her collections in small batches to minimize environmental impact. Her innovative approach extends to her design details, playing with proportions and using fabric markers to add color, creating bold, eye-catching garments that evolve with wear. By including more affordable items like tote bags and t-shirts in her collection, she makes her art accessible to a broader audience. Followers can keep up with her latest works on social media, where she shares her creative journey and the meticulous process behind each handcrafted piece.

A 94-year-old grandmother, Nada, kept a meticulous log of every book she read for 80 years, beginning when she was just 14. Her dedication resulted in an archive of 1,658 books, finished at an average pace of one every two weeks. This impressive collection includes works in multiple languages—English, German, Serbian, and Hungarian—reflecting the diverse linguistic skills she possessed. Despite the disruptions in her education due to fleeing Germany in 1943, Nada’s passion for reading never waned. Her grandson, theology, and literature professor Ben Myers, discovered this incredible record after her passing. The log not only provides insight into the books she read but also offers a window into her evolving interests, ranging from Christian literature to classic novels like The Count of Monte Cristo, and later, books on yoga and meditation.

Myers shared this extraordinary archive on social media, highlighting the rich tapestry of his grandmother’s literary journey. Nada’s story is particularly poignant given her background as a refugee from a poor peasant family, who nonetheless nurtured a profound love for literature and learning. Her reading choices were eclectic, reflecting her broad intellectual curiosity and resilience. Additionally, Nada was an avid poet, writing original verses that often touched on themes of displacement and hope. These poems, preserved alongside her book log, showcase her ability to find beauty amidst turmoil. Through her meticulous records, Nada’s legacy continues to inspire and connect, illustrating the enduring power of literature to transcend time and circumstance.