Shine Boutique, opening this week on the Newburyport fashion scene, specializes in natural fabrics that feel like a warm hug. Her cozy, casual fashions are a pleasure to wear and adorable too. Owner Erin Postl chose some of her favorite Fall items to style with our belts. We paired timeless basics with the bold color story of Sara Thurston Designs and voila, a whole look that can go from Newburyport to Boston and anywhere in between.
I love the clothes at Shine because the fabrics and neutral colors are a perfect canvas to add self-expression with accessories. For example, Shine’s sky-blue cardigan became an impactful, trendy, monochromatic choice by pairing it with the Sara Thurston Designs' Maudslay Indigo.
Each of these outfits was transformed entirely simply by adding something different.
"Accessories can completely change the tone of an outfit." Says Erin Postl, "At Shine, I have handmade jewelry created by different female artists. Each design is unique and distinctly enhances the fashion."
You can find Shine Boutique at 28 State Street in Newburyport. Sara Thurston Designs will be hosting a pop-up event at Shine on December 3rd, just in time for the holidays. Browse Shine's collection of designer fashions and grab a belt for your holiday look.
We continued our exploration of North Shore and visited Sanctum Style in Lynnfield. Sanctum offers an assortment of current trends providing a selection of accessories, designer denim, and contemporary apparel.
Owner Jaime Sloan says, "Accessories are their own secret weapon and can truly make a look come together. Whether they are the focal point of your outfit, or they are subtly weaving your color palette together, anyone can use them to make it all work." When Plover Green is paired with the contrasting soft pink sweater the vibrant combination creates the wow factor that a sweater and jeans alone does not have.
"Accessories are an opportunity to play with color, pattern, and texture, and they reflect the personality of the wearer. Don't be afraid to take risks; fashion by design is meant to push us out of our comfort zone but should always be fun!" Jaime Sloan explains. Following this idea, we decided to match Sandy Point Houndstooth with Sanctum's bold roll-neck sweater by Supernova. By layering pattern on pattern, we added texture to the ensemble and enhanced the entire look.
Exploring the North Shore and meeting other female entrepreneurs is one of our favorite things to do, pairing our belts with stunning designer fashion, another of our favorite things. See something you like? Shop For It!
]]>High-style found its way to Newburyport on August 5th. The ballroom at 76 State Street was buzzing with excitement as the Newburyport area models were styled and photographed wearing Sara Thurston Designs fall collection. The dramatic loft space with floor-to-ceiling windows and distressed brick walls was the ultimate backdrop for the editorial shoot. The conversation was animated, laughter was genuine, and the photos were remarkable – all under the watchful eye of designer owner Sara Thurston who has worked so hard to make her dream come true.
Sara Thurston Designs is the newest female-owned accessory brand to hit the New England Fashion scene. These easy-to-wear, feminine pieces have a timeless look that can be paired with a little black dress or jeans and a favorite t. Wheat Newburyport, another company owned and operated by women, supplied a varied collection of styles for the models to be photographed, proving that Sara's belts can go with any outfit, smart or casual.
"I wanted my first collection to represent the New England woman and her easy elegance." Said Thurston. "She is a fashion-conscious woman who loves classic accessories and will not compromise on style or quality." And Sara has not compromised at all for this collection. She has sourced rich fabrics from LA to New York and hired a local company to add the bold brass buckles that complete each belt. The belt design is simple so that the textile remains the star of the show. The wonderfully lush color stories and vibrant patterns make these eye-catching belts the Pièce de resistance in any ensemble.
Thurston purposefully chose local models for her first catalog, many of which are also business owners and active in the community. "I was blown away by how stunning these women looked in their photos," Sara said. "I loved watching them. As the photoshoot went on, the focus shifted from the belts to these dynamic women! They were enjoying themselves and each other while they wore our belts, and it felt incredible!"
"Seeing a friend and fellow female entrepreneur take the step into owning her own business is inspiring. Building a brand is messy; it's full of peaks and valleys - it gets hard, but that's what makes it so rewarding when you cross the finish line." Says Bridget Hunt, model, blogger, and content creator also based in the Boston area. "I think women tend to be better at nurturing and building relationships, both of which are important when you own your own business. We are rooting for each other because we know how difficult it is."
Sara is currently working with an all-female marketing team spearheaded by Cori Stevens, owner of The Busy Creative, a digital marketing agency based in Newburyport. Cori explains that working with Sara has been a joy from the start. "We have a great dynamic, and the whole team collaborates and is supportive of one another. Our goal is to make Sara Thurston Designs a success, and we've found a way to respect, listen and share while we do that." Says Cori, "Collectively, we approach the work from a woman's perspective, which I think makes for a more genuine end-result."
Sara Thurston Designs' first collection will be available for sale this October. The brand will continue to create high-quality, extraordinary pieces in an atmosphere of collaboration and female empowerment. She is proving once again that women-owned businesses are so stylish!
]]>September is here, and so are the fall fashion trends for 2021. Some are as bright and bold as New England foliage, others are soft and mellow like the beaches on Plum Island, and a few are powerful and sophisticated. Still, all the styles are asking us to fold up the loungewear we’ve been sporting for the last year and take a brave step toward fashion. Our versatile fall collection of belts works beautifully to enhance any of the top looks for this year.
This season rich saturated colors are flooding the runway. Think of elevated jewel tones like emerald, eggplant, and magenta. You can mix and match unexpected colors like ruby and peach for a dramatic impact to nail this look. It’s a CINCH – tie this look together with our Plum Island Floral Fabric Belt
The unique color story of this belt lends itself to helping these bold tones cooperate. Our botanical pattern adds a splash of whimsy that will pair perfectly with the chill in the New England air.
Comfort is king, the minute the baristas start serving pumpkin lattes; we run to our favorite cashmere sweater; 2021 is no different. Cozy knit maxis and luxurious coat dresses offer ease and stunning silhouettes flattering on everyone. It’s a CINCH – why not break up the long line of your woven dress with the Maudslay Indigo Fabric Belt; the deep blues and greys are reminiscent of soccer mornings and misty harbor walks.
Monochrome’s classic styling continues to be an essential part of fall fashion in 2021. Over the decades, it has been an iconic look, but it’s safe to say that outfits in singular color are having a significant moment this fall. We’ve seen it on the streets, on the runway, and even at the inauguration. People are making a statement by keeping things simply elegant. It’s a CINCH – Monochromatic style gives us a blank canvas to accessorize. Try our versatile Plover Green Fabric Belt, which is sure to add just the right pop of vibrant green to a neutral pallet.
This summer, we saw bare midriffs at every turn. The craze continues; however, we tend to take ourselves a bit more seriously in the fall. Expect to see more subtle slivers of skin. A little bit irreverent, a little bit sexy, and always fun. It’s a CINCH – Our favorite thing about this trend? It is made for our belts. Pair a cropped hooded top with our Essex Camo Fabric Belt and some of your favorite kicks for a casual Newburyport fashion look.
As the Atlantic blows the cooler air onto the New England fashion scene, we see the return of menswear-inspired elements everywhere. Whether it’s a his-for-her oxford shirt or the sharp angles of a double-breasted blazer, there is no question that this trend is making a bold impact on the 2021 fall look book. It’s a CINCH – These tailored pieces cry out for feminine accessories – belt your blazer with the Sandy Point Houndstooth Fabric Belt to shine a little light on this sophisticated structured style.
We look forward to seeing you out there on the streets of Boston or maybe in a Newburyport Restaurant wearing these fall fashions and always accessorizing with a belt from Sara Thurston Designs.
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