It was a dream that prompted Andrea Moore Beaulieu to open her storefront on Larchmont Avenue.
A fashion designer by trade, Moore Beaulieu was fully occupied as a stay-at-home mom to twins when she awoke one night with a vision of opening a store called The Makers that would serve as a hub for creativity in the community. Although she had owned a storefront on the West Coast in the past and been featured in publications like Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue, at the time of her dream, she had no plans to pursue entrepreneurship again.
But she just couldn’t shake that vision.
So, when she passed by the edifice at 132 Larchmont Avenue three weeks later and peeked inside, she knew in her gut that the space was made for The Makers. Soon enough, she and her husband were speaking of the store as if she already owned it, which, only a short time later, was precisely the case.
The Makers New York debuted earlier this spring in Westchester and, from the start, it’s clear to see that it’s not your average shoppable storefront. Even from outside the shop, the presence of attractive sewing machine stations throughout the space catches the eye. They’re not a traditional detail, and Moore Beaulieu notes that they’ve prompted more than a few people to step foot into the store ready to ask questions.
Of course, Moore Beaulieu is happy to oblige. After all, part of the purpose of the space is to spark creativity and inquisitiveness, to inspire visitors to engage and interact as they browse the colorful racks.
“People will come in and say, ‘I saw your sewing machines. Can we talk about that?’” Moore Beaulieu shares, adding that her answer is always an enthusiastic “Yes!” For her, The Makers New York is just as much about inspiring creative potential in others as it is about showcasing her artistic endeavors with the community.
Admittedly, Moore Beaulieu’s work is inspiration in itself. For the New Rochelle designer, who cultivated her skills at the University of North Carolina Greensboro before pursuing a career in fashion, owning as storefront of her own is the perfect opportunity to spotlight her street fashion brand Moore, which emphasizes easy fabrics and separates that include gender-neutral designs and eye-catching patterns and hues. Throughout the store, examples of her work – and her talent – are readily apparent, with sunshine-yellow dresses and vibrant floral tops practically popping off the open-shelf-style racks.
“It’s things you can wear now or wear three years from now,” she explains of the line. “There are lots of separates for pairing with different things and can be dressed up or dressed down.”
While the fashions are eye-catching, perhaps the coolest part of the store is the fact that the inventory is always changing. That’s because The Makers is just as much of a studio space for Moore Beaulieu as it is a place for her to sell her wares. On any given day, shoppers could pop in to browse the racks while Moore Beaulieu puts the finishing touches on a dress before hanging it up. (Remember those sewing machines? They’re not just for looks, after all.)
In addition to crafting her own fashions, Moore Beaulieu also takes on custom projects that range from reworking old pieces to creating something entirely new.
“[Shoppers] will bring me things, which I try to encourage,” she explains. “Everyone has creativity with how they dress themselves and how they put their outfits together. To be able to be a person that helps them bring their vision to life is really exciting.”
With both the custom projects and her original designs, Moore Beaulieu aims to keep sustainability at the forefront. She enjoys the custom work because it gives older pieces the chance to exist in a new capacity. With her own pieces, she makes a point to select fabrics that are easy to care for and designs that can live well past any more temporary trends.
“My creative process usually starts with finding the right fabric,” she explains, adding that she often leans into gut feeling when it comes to figuring out designs. “It feels good to be sewing every day and making new things all the time.”
While The Makers New York is still relatively new to town, Moore Beaulieu is excited for what the future holds. She’s collaborating with the nearby Locals 10538 venue for her very own fashion show on June 13. After that, she hopes to work with with other creatives to turn The Makers into a shared workshop space that highlights talents throughout the community.
“This space sparks creativity in people and shares what I’m doing. It feels like a creative space, and other people feel that when they come in. It fills my spirit,” she says.
The Makers New York
132 Larchmont Ave, Ste 8, Larchmont
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