Sarah Bray Bermuda
Sarah Bray West, a writer and editor for storied publications such as House Beautiful, ELLE Decor, Veranda, and Town & Country, embarked on a new journey inspired by a move to the island of Bermuda. Her venture, known both locally and abroad as Sarah Bray Bermuda, offers seagrass and palm leaf sun hats woven with interchangeable ribbons, all from sustainable or recyclable materials. In our latest edition of Cultivating Conversations we spoke to Sarah about the joys and challenges of running a small business from an island and the importance of sustainability in fashion and beyond.
Photo via @SarahBrayBermuda
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BRAND?
If you’ve ever been on the beach or on a boat in Bermuda, you know it’s windy! So I started making sun hats just for myself with ribbons to tie under my chin and into my hair to keep my hat from flying away.
“Made from biodegradable tropical grasses and palm tree leaves, each sun hat features antique and vintage ribbons that are interchangeable.”
(so you can change your ribbon to match your dress or swimsuit!)
Photo via @SarahBrayBermuda
WALK US THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING SARAH BRAY BERMUDA?
In Bermuda, you are surrounded by Mother Nature. The sounds of the birds chirping and palm trees waving in the wind fill the air during the day and the tree frogs singing and the sparkling stars fill the night’s sky.
“It’s the beautiful isolation of the Mid–Atlantic that gives me the space to be creative and design accessories inspired by nature.”
Photo via @PalmBeachLately
HOW DOES BERMUDA INSPIRE YOUR BRAND AND ITS DESIGNS?
The natural and uncommercialized beauty of Bermuda is my constant inspiration.
“I love the wild, imperfect style of the island’s historic homes and gardens. I live just up the road from the Hamilton Princess* in a Victorian island house built in 1895.”
*Editor’s Note: A Persephone Social Client!
For an American, the house feels so old and full of untold stories! I’m constantly inspired by Bermuda’s old houses and the antique objects and artifacts that are unique to the island.
Photo via @SarahBrayBermuda
IS IT CHALLENGING TO RUN A BRAND FROM AN ISLAND?
I think it’s challenging to run a small business anywhere!
“Thankfully Bermuda has a great small business community.”
I feel lucky to have the gracious support of other female entrepreneurs on the island like Melissa of Factor Bermuda and Alicia of Tuck Shop.
Photo via @Micaela
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS IN BERMUDA TO SHARE WITH VISITORS?
Beyond the beaches and the National Trust historical homes you can tour, I am obsessed with shopping for unique antiques in Bermuda.
“I love to drop in the local thrift shops and search for historical treasures.”
My favorite secret shops are Pals, The Barn, Habitat for Humanity, Committee of 25, and Orange Bay. I find a ton of antique and vintage fabrics and materials at these treasure troves that I use throughout my collections.
Photo via @SarahBrayBermuda
WAS IT CHALLENGING TO CREATE AN ECO–FRIENDLY BRAND?
It was always something I dreamed of doing! I love shopping for antiques and vintage items. My entire house is only decorated from second-hand and old pieces and I mostly wear vintage dresses and handbags. So when I was dreaming of designing my namesake collection, it was natural to use vintage and renewable materials.
There are so many aspects of human life that are unavoidably wasteful.
“it’s really important to me to not pollute our beautiful world with even more waste.”
“All of my customers come from social media and I am beyond grateful for this powerful tool!”
I have a very specific style and social media allows you to connect with that small niche audience who appreciates your unique creations. I love meeting new friends who appreciate the same aesthetic and it’s so inspiring to discover fabulous people all around the world who are so inspiring.
Photo via @SarahBrayBermuda
IN YOUR PREVIOUS CAREER YOU WORKED AS AN EDITOR FOR MAGAZINES LIKE TOWN & COUNTRY, ELLE DECOR, AND HOUSE BEAUTIFUL. HOW DID THAT EXPERIENCE HELP INFORM YOUR CURRENT WORK?
I always say working at magazines for a decade was like getting endless graduate degrees for free on artistic subjects.
“All day for a decade, I researched and wrote about fashion, decorating, travel and tastemakers.”
So the information I was reporting on was really retained. I feel so blessed that I was able to work at these incredible publications and learn from the brilliant editors who steer them.
Photo via @CallieWalkerPhotography
BEYOND SUN HATS AND RIBBONS, CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE OTHER PRODUCTS FROM YOU?
I just relaunched my take on the iconic Bermuda bag. Bermuda has long been associated with fashion innovations. In fact, in the Mid–Century, the most popular souvenir from Bermuda was a Bermuda Bag, which is notable for its interchangeable “collect–them–all” pouches. I decided to reinvent this style for today with a bamboo bucket (bamboo is the world’s most renewable material) and pouches made from antique and vintage textiles that I collect in Bermuda.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
“I would love to open a store in Bermuda one day!”
But more island-inspired accessories are in the works for now. If you are in Bermuda and want to shop my pieces, drop by Tuck Shop or DM me and we can set-up a private shopping appointment at your convenience.
Photo via @PrincessBermuda