Landing a Whale

When I first started on the adventure of opening a store on Nantucket I told myself it was going to be a three year experiment. As I reach the end of my third season as a shop owner on Nantucket I can’t help but reflect and know that I have learned so much about myself, about business, about fashion versus style and about people and friendship. As an independent woman working to support my children, I have grown so much personally, professionally and emotionally in the last three years that it feels like three lifetimes!

I started my first year completely alone other than the support of my parents, some amazing friends, and most importantly the support of my children. Some moments have been extremely difficult and heart wrenching for me. Those particular moments have involved my children and the fact that because I need to work so many hours it often means I am physically away from them. I have missed being there for my son mostly because he hasn’t lived at home consistently in a few years. Between school and summers when I am working on an island he wants to work on another island. My son has found an independence and autonomy that is admirable but still difficult for a mother to let go. Missing special moments and the opportunity to continue to guide him into adulthood frankly stink. I am so proud of him and that he has given me the freedom and permission to pursue my own dreams while it meant we weren’t together more, is a gift I’m not even sure he knows he gave. If I could have waited two more years to start this adventure and be with my kids more, I would have. But when is life that predictable and cooperative? Thankfully my daughter works and lives with me so she’s stuck with me, for now.

I also started my first year not knowing what it took to run a retail store, hiring and managing employees, managing inventory – too much and too little, etc. While I look back now I can say I’ve loved every minute even though I may not have loved every minute while I was living it. When I first opened the store I was often asked if owning a store was a lifelong dream. My answer was always, “absolutely not”. I didn’t dream about opening a store. I did however dream about designing things that brought others as much happiness and excitement as they brought me while designing them. Corny, I know, but the greatest reward for me has been when customers say they love my designs, wear them and receive compliments on them, and also that they love the aesthetics of my shop. Dreams have a way of evolving and mine has evolved into having a full line called REMY, that I can expand in the next few years with more items and everything else my head and heart think of.

I’ve said it previously but the favorite part of owning a shop for me has been meeting so many amazing individuals. I used to hear that bartenders are like therapists listening to patrons stories and woes. I’ve learned that being a shop owner and sharing so much of myself with others has allowed customers to open up and talk to me as well. We’ve shared life stories, life struggles and some of the funniest moments of our lives, our frustrations, heartaches and love.

To every person who has walked into my store and, therefore, into my life – THANK YOU! Whether you bought something or not, you have changed me, taught me, shared with me, and helped me to truly love who I am and my talent. I can’t wait to share with you my new adventures and especially the S/S19 designs that are coming out soon.

Bisous!

Uniqueness is the Goal

I have always loved fashion and unique styles. In fact when I was younger my mother gave me a monthly allowance to buy my own clothes because I didn’t like the generic ones she purchased for me. I paid attention to trends but always found different things to try. In junior high school I bought a pair of wide wail corduroys that were a different color on each panel, four in total. When I wore them to school I heard so many comments but the most popular one was, “can’t you afford one pair of pants?” I loved wearing them because I knew no one else had a pair, either because they thought they were ridiculous or they didn’t want to also be teased.

As an adult when I find and then wear something a little different I am often asked where I found the item and even more often, since I have a store, do I carry the item and get it for them too. My new favorite is my raffia straw platform shoes by, Robert Clergerie in Paris. I have been stopped many times, even by strangers, and asked where I purchased them. Actually I bought them in Montecito last March while traveling through California visiting colleges with my children. I saw them, tried them on and fell in love mostly because I was so surprised how comfortable they are to wear.

When you open or step into your closet do you feel like it’s a walk down memory lane? Looking through mine brings back great memories of journeys where I purchased something beautiful and timeless, events where I wore a great outfit, or special moments where I felt comforted or extra stylish.

While I’m designing clothes or searching out new designers to carry in my store on Nantucket I’ve learned to follow my gut instincts and my own sense of style. Visitors to the store are Nantucket residents, tourists visiting the island or daytrippers coming over for a fun day of power shopping. One of my favorite parts of owning REMY is meeting so many great new people. My hope is that they purchase items in the store that then remind them of their experience on Nantucket whether it’s a day, week or season. Nantucket is a special place and I hope when a customer wears items they’ve purchased from us, they smile.

We’re announcing a new service at REMY: Personally Curated 4U

We’ve gotten to know lots of our clients and their tastes over the years so as new pieces arrive or are created we reach out to share them directly before adding them to the site or store shelves. In addition while I travel to show rooms I am working with clients to bring them pieces ahead of the current season keeping their style and closets fresh. If you’d like to join this new service please contact Remy to have some fun as we talk through our new-member questionnaire. 

Shoulders are a big deal again for SS18. They’re poking out cutouts on cute tops, showing off above ruffle topped dresses (like our Petite Jolie) and shining when strapless pieces are worn. Our Petite Jolie has been such a hit for us, we love receiving pictures from customers wearing them all over the world. We’d love to hear from you to know if we should revamp our design for the upcoming season?

It's in the air

Can you see it?                   Can you feel it?                     Can you smell it?

                                                           Spring is on its way!

There is a palpable shift in the air in Boston when Spring is getting closer even though we know we can’t count on it coming smoothly. Part of the joy of living in New England is the unpredictable daily and weekly changes in the weather. Last week we had two 70’ days when everyone was out on the streets and in the parks sporting short sleeves leaving their coats at home. Only those unaccustomed to our climate walked out their front door with their down jacket and hat. The next day it snowed – welcome to New England.

I love all seasons which is one of the reasons the Northeast is my home base. Anticipation of the next season means changing up the wardrobe and Spring into Summer bring out favorite clothes and colors. After two summers of shoulders showing off in so many different styles I was ready to start designing something new to highlight but guess what? Those sexy shoulders will be out again this spring and summer, and at least one of my new designs will keep yours showing. One reason exposing shoulders has remained a key element of so many designs is that it is a body part that when exposed universally looks great whether you’re tall, short, thin, curvy; shoulders are sexy and the style is flattering.

As I walk through trade shows and showrooms deciding on items I’d like to carry in the shop on Nantucket, on the website, www.remycreations.com or bring to Trunk Shows, I gravitate towards bright colors and stripes. As the season gets closer it is so fun to start receiving everything I’ve ordered. My focus then becomes sharing that excitement with customers who I know will love new pieces too!!! 

Stay tuned and keep an eye on our Instagram for all the new looks we can't wait to share: @remystressenger

Looking back and moving forward

While unpacking and cataloguing items brought back from my store on Nantucket I can’t help but think about all of the experiences the first season of owning a store provided. Hands down, my favorite part of opening the store has been meeting so many wonderful and interesting people including my fellow Wharf neighbors. I really enjoyed the stories shared, and laughing with so many visitors. Whether it was someone’s first trip to Nantucket, their 20th or they live on the island, I enjoyed talking about so much more than just clothing with them.

One of my favorite guests was a retired dentist from Canton. He was interested in the swing that I sell and initially took my business card so he could think about it. He came back to the store a few minutes later telling me that he enjoyed talking to me so much that he wanted to buy the swing immediately.

He told me that my business card shouldn’t just say “Designer / Founder”, it should “also say beautiful lady”. When he was next to me at the counter he asked me the cutest question. Since he was with his wife, he asked me “do you think if I buy her a bloody Mary she’ll make out with me on the dock?” He was so cute, engaging, happy and wonderful, and one of the many highlights of my summer.

There was also the charming lady from South Carolina who visited the store several days in a row, until we started to joke and say, “see you tomorrow” with a smile and laugh. She came in with her daughter, then her mother and daughter and sometimes alone. Each visit with her was full of laughter and mutual admiration. She loved the REMY shawls and a few of them now enjoy life in South Carolina.

At times I heard confessions, counseled a parent or jilted lover, but mostly I laughed. Often I would see someone standing under my REMY sign outside having their picture taken. Other times I’d have kids coming in bashfully smiling, telling me that “Remy” is their name. One little boy named Remy was a little upset to know that the Remy who owned the store was female. Guests asked to purchase a sign I painted, a rock I painted and anything that had the REMY logo on it.

When I learned someone’s name was also Remy I gave them something with our logo on it. I felt such pleasure in seeing smiles on younger children’s faces as they finally had something with their name on it because growing up I never was able to find anything saying “Remy”.

I’m busy working on new designs for next summer on Nantucket and hope to see some REMY pieces in other locations and fabulous vacation spots. I look forward to more stories, expanding our customer base and followers and learning more about new people we meet.

Thank you for a wonderful first year experience.

Love is in the air...

As February 14th approaches and most people think about all things red and pink I am obsessing over an exclusive design that I have to use on a number of fabrics for new pieces to add to the REMY line. It has several shades of pink on a white background and will appear on my new rompers, flowing pants, maybe even some t-shirts. Having the ability to design and manufacture the ideas that pop into my head has opened up my heart in a new way. I feel so lucky to be able to follow this dream and fortunate that things are falling into place.

When we’re young, our parents tell us to follow our passions, that the sky is the limit and we can do anything. For a period of time I think we all believe that, and then some of life’s realities set in as we begin to find jobs, start families and live. I think we forget that we really can do anything we set our minds to and that the sky really is the limit.

I have come full circle now and truly believe my parents’ mantras once again. I do believe that if I put my heart into my dream of creating a beautiful line of clothing and accessories that friends and new customers will feel the commitment, passion and love that goes into each design. My hope is that my pieces will become some of the “go to” items in your wardrobe as they already are in mine.

So, as February 14th draws near it is my hope that you find yourself surrounded by love and that you stay tuned…I’ve got some announcements and new designs that I know will make your heart sing!

Bisous!

Remy

The word on the street

It has been a busy holiday season and a whirlwind start to 2016. Still, I find myself always restored by time spent with friends and family and day after day my amazing clients keep me excited, inspired and driven to create. I have received so much incredible feedback from you all and wanted to take a minute to share the word on the street about REMY Creations.....

"Holy Heaven! Just got my chashmere shawl and I'm in love. Soft and beautiful. Will be wearing this all the time! It's like a hug from above! Already thinking about buying another!"

-Amy Adamshick Suchdolski

"Always stunning and great colors!"

-Lee Higgins

"Superheroes wear REMY shawls!"

-Britt Lee's son

"LOVE!"

-Rachel Kroner Hanselman

"...Remy is a great friend of mine and her gorgeous signature shawls are unlike any you have seen or worn. My cashmere REMY shawl is my go to staple - perfect for all seasons, even the cooler Duxbury summer nights. It not only has the coziness and warmth of a wrap but my REMY shawl has style and flair that makes it fun to wear. The best part is you can customize with great color options in herringbone wool/cashmere or silk and then choose from a great selection of leather colors for the trim. The options are endless!..."

-Amy Wilson

I feel so blessed for so many things in my life. I am truly fortunate to be following my passion while surrounded by those I love and those who love me. I cannot thank each one of you enough for your enthusiasm , encouragement and support. Keep watching. There's so much more to come!

Bisous!

Remy

Trusting new wings

How do we know when it's the right time to let our children fly and just stay in the background as their safety net?

It is one of the hardest questions I have had to answer as a parent and an even harder principle to practice. This is especially true when it comes to leaving my son at school. Each time I do it feels as though my heart is being ripped out. I have to believe the experience is the right one for him and that he will continue to grow into the amazing man I see him becoming but I can't stand not seeing or talking to him every day. Weeks fly by, some without much communication, and in the blink of an eye another year has passed. The guy I dropped off in September is that much closer to adulthood in June.

I am blessed and reassured by the relationship we have because given the chance, he will open up and share his thoughts, experiences and feelings with me.  I know a lot of kids don't talk with their parents, which makes the communication I share with my son something unique and truly special.

What does this have to do with fashion?  Honestly, not much except that anytime I am heading to either of my children’s schools I think about what I am going to wear. Am I moving furniture and boxes, watching a game in the wind or just grabbing a hug? No matter what I am there for, I want my children to be proud to be seen with me.  Lately I’ve been wearing a REMY t-shirt with my favorite white jeans or white shorts when it’s warmer. I’ve found them to fit perfectly, wash easily and look pretty cool. At those windy games I make sure to have one of my shawls, in the school’s colors, to keep me warm.

My children inspire me – I hope I make them proud.

Bisous!

Remy
 

The Herringbone Story

   I've been asked a few times why I only use herringbone for my wool and cashmere shawls. Given the fact that it is difficult to find the "hand"of herringbone in the wool and cashmere that I want, why do I continue to use this particular pattern.

   The herringbone pattern has always reminded me of my father. When I was a little girl he wore herringbone blazers often and when I got a little older, my mother kept his old blazers up in our attic. I used to climb up into the attic and put my hands in the pockets and find treasures there that he had left long ago. Once in a while I would try on those blazers and feel like I was getting a hug from him. It was the closest I could come to getting one of his hugs because my father died when I was seven years old.
 

  When you're that young and lose a parent it's hard to find ways to keep them in your life and to keep a sense of them around you. Herringbone has always reminded me of him, as well as daisies. Every painting I've ever done contains a small daisy in my signature.

   I have a very strong faith and I have always believed that objects and people are put into our lives for specific reasons. To guide us or lead us on the path that we are meant to take. I believe that when I was searching for the first fabric to use for my shawl design and stumbled upon a gorgeous navy and white herringbone, it was meant to be. While I've seen other wools and cashmeres that would look gorgeous as shawls I haven't deviated from the herringbone pattern. I believe that somehow my dad has a hand in my success and that continues to drive me forward.

   I truly hope that when you wear one of my shawls you feel the love that goes into every stitch.

Love,

Remy
 

What is it about summer?

I love all of the seasons. Each one has its own distinct look, feel and style of life. And while I don’t really have a favorite season, there is something special about summer.

There is a quality to summer unlike the rest of the year that creates such allure and build up.  To me summer is about spending time with my children and loved ones, no schedules, hanging out at the beach or on boats, enjoying beautiful sunsets while the moon rises on the opposite horizon, awesome summer storms with booming thunder and bright lightning, and of course the light colorful styles of summer fashion.

When I look through my closets there are more pieces that can be worn during the warmer months or vacations in the sun, than any other season. It’s odd since those particular pieces make it out of the closet for the shortest period of time. Regardless, it doesn’t stop me from looking at, buying and now designing clothing that is perfect for warmer climates. Bright colors, bold patterns and flowing fabrics are some of my favorite things in fashion and the summer is just the time to experiment with these.   So although I’m knee deep into our family summer bucket list, doing all the fun things we set out to do before the start of the next school year, I still have my sketch pad in hand while the inspiration of the season abounds!

Photo by Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc / Getty Images

Who knows what it is about summer. Maybe it’s the bronzed skin. Maybe it’s that friends come to visit and the family has time together relaxing, cooking and playing. Maybe it’s just that waking up in the sunshine every morning makes smiles a little easier. Whatever it is, it’s the good life!

Bisous!

Remy

The loves of my life

I have two children and I consider them my greatest blessing in life. I don’t take them--or the moments I get to spend with them--for granted. They have spent their summers growing up on Cape Cod taking sailing lessons or chilling out, which is what I think summer is all about. We start most mornings walking on the beach with our dog looking for treasures that the waves washed ashore during the night. We end most days with incredible sunsets. And at least once each summer we have been lucky enough to see a rainbow. All three of these natural beauties are some of my favorite things in life and where I find inspiration and awe.

Finding a perfectly intricate seashell while on vacation or the simple ones that are here in New England make me feel like I’ve found a treasure. There are jars on my entrance table that hold some of the gems I’ve found through the years, and each time I walk by them, I smile.

The breathtaking colors that sunrise and sunset bring each day are sheer magic, and another one of my life treasures. While my son was away at school this year one of the ways he stayed in touch was to send me photos of the sunrises he saw near the water. It makes me so happy to know that he appreciates the awesomeness of their beauty and felt compelled to say “good morning” to me with an image he knew I’d love. As he has been my beachcomber companion since he was a little, memories of walking coastlines with him, sometimes carrying him, are some of my most precious.

My third treasure: rainbows. I grew up loving rainbows. I had rainbow wallpaper in my bedroom, rainbow moonboots in the winter, rainbow jewelry, etc. I’m sure it’s part of the reason I love vibrant colors. In each home I’ve lived in, and some of my apartments, there hasn’t been a white room. Each room is painted or wallpapered in a rich color. My love of color is what draws me to eye-catchingly, gorgeous fabrics and drives me to create the next pieces to add to our portfolio of designs.

Stay tuned – I just found my next bolt of fabric…..

-Remy

A dream, a design and a new website

Welcome to the launch of our new REMY Creations site.

I have always found peace and true happiness while creating. Growing up with a mother who still seems to be able to do anything she sets her mind to, has been a wonderful life model. Fashion and design have been passions of mine since I was young when I was given an allowance to buy my own clothes and sketched ideas that I couldn't find on racks. Once the first sketch was actually sewn and worn, REMY was launched.  REMY Creations is a lifelong dream that I am excited to share. I look forward to adding new followers and friends as we grow our brand and add to our portfolio.

As I embark on this chapter in the evolution of my business, with the launch of this new website, I hope that you sense the joy and light that I have felt through the creative process. The designs created are inspired by the fabrics I find, a love of vibrant, rich colors and pieces I enjoy wearing. My personal sense of style changes with my mood or destination and I get a kick out of pulling new pieces together to create a new look from my closet. Marc Jacobs once said, "To me, clothing is a form of self-expression - there are hints about who you are in what you wear."

Live the beauty within you.

-Remy