Sartina translates to “seamstress apprentice” in Italian, which is appropriate, as owner Carrie Heffernan promises to bring a distinctive shopping experience for those passionate about contemporary, elevated high fashion for women.
Making the Switch From Wellness to Fashion
A graduate of Boston College, Heffernan previously owned and operated Misfit Bazaar, a luxe wellness boutique in Rye. At Misfit Bazaar, her focus was mostly on “good for you, good for the Earth” products centered around skincare, beauty, and overall health and wellness. Nearly three years after Misfit Bazaar’s inception, Heffernan realized that many of her loyal customers were looking for sustainably sourced, elevated clothing, so she decided to expand her retail footprint and rebrand into Sartina.
Located in a historic building dating back to the 1880s, Sartina features two floors dedicated to a vast selection of women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Heffernan designed the retail space around natural elements in order to create a welcoming environment for her patrons.
“I wanted to create a destination shopping experience for my loyal customer base, as well as for stylists in the area,” Heffernan explains. “The space is very light-filled, it has high ceilings, and, when you shop, it’s not overcrowded. I wanted to make it comfortable for people to come in and shop in an environment that’s warm, inviting, and gives you the chance to shop without feeling rushed or overstimulated.”
Upstairs, an atelier has been thoughtfully designed by interior designer Pamela Friscoli of Trovare Home, based in Cos Cob, Connecticut. The atelier was designed with the notion of a serene and aesthetically pleasing environment in mind. Featuring a distinguished collection of art, carefully selected lighting and home accessories, and vintage furniture, the atelier is an ideal spot for private shopping and events, or a trunk show.
Thoughtfully Curated Clothing
As far as clothing goes, Heffernan prides herself on curating a brand mix that you can’t find just anywhere. She sources coveted lines including Alix of Bohemia, a New York-based company that uses only natural fibers; Rachel Comey, an independent fashion designer based in New York City; Forte Forte, a clothing company based in Italy; and many others.
“Establishing relationships with brands takes up a lot of my time. Not only am I particular, but there are a lot of other retail stores in town here. I want to ensure that I’m offering products that you’re not finding anywhere else,” she says.
When considering products for Sartina, Heffernan takes into account the price point, fit, quality, and company location before making her decision. Beyond clothing, she continues to feature a small element of Misfit Bazaar, her previous business, as well. Two of her best sellers — a CBD face cream from Winnøw and the three-in-one Tri-Balm from Frances Prescott — still grace the shelves in Sartina.
“For me, it’s really about this idea of a destination shopping experience. Whether you need something specific for an event, a gift for a hostess, or you’re going away on vacation and want to treat yourself to a new piece for your trip, I want Sartina to be the first place people think of.”
Expanding Personal Style
In the coming months, Heffernan looks to expand the personal styling portion of Sartina. She hopes to connect customers with stylists so they can effectively streamline their wardrobe.
“I find a lot of my customers either don’t know how to put outfits together or are missing key pieces from their wardrobe, so I’m very excited about the addition of the styling appointments.”
Heffernan is the only stylist at Sartina currently, but she looks forward to welcoming another stylist into the boutique in the near future. Additionally, she’s hoping to host an event during which stylists can come into Sartina and check out the collections that she has in the store.
In the long run, Heffernan’s ultimate goal is to start her own private label. “That’s always been my dream, and eventually, is something that I’m very interested in pursuing,” she admits.
Sartina Boutique is located at 1 Theodore Fremd Avenue in Rye. For more information, visit Sartina’s website here. To book a styling appointment, visit this link.
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