We met the lovely Sarah Bray in New York where she served as Town & Country’s Style Writer before helming Modern Luxury titles, Gotham and Beach magazines. Last year, she moved from Manhattan to Bermuda and started her eponymous label, Sarah Bray Bermuda, a line of sun hats handwoven from seagrass or palm leaves. Most are produced in Bray’s home state of Texas, where each brass grommet is applied by hand in Houston, and unlike other millinery, the opening on her hardware is large enough to pull an Hermès scarf through. Bray also sells kaftans with vintage fabric sourced from estate sales, and the extra fabric is repurposed to make matching headbands or masks. “For me, this is exciting to bring a maximalist, feminine look to eco-fashion,” she says. Her next project is to design a bamboo handbag. “It’s the most renewable material because it’s truly biodegradable - they’re just leaves!” When travel and tourism reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic, she plans to open a small brick-and-mortar shop on the island. Follow along for an interview with the Editor turned Designer and her guide to the island of Bermuda.

Where are you from and where do you live now? I’m originally from Texas and lived all over the state before moving to New York City in my early twenties. I spent a decade in New York before moving to Bermuda with my Bermudian husband last year.

When and why did you move to Bermuda? My husband, Eric, is Bermudian and wanted to be closer to his family. We both loved living in New York, but we were ready for a slower-paced life. We moved to Bermuda only a few months before COVID, I guess good timing to live a remote and isolated life!

How did you meet your husband? Bumble! We were both on work trips in London when we swiped on each other only to realize a month later that neither of us lived in London and were both in New York.

Where did he propose and where did you get married? Eric proposed in Bermuda at this amazing, overgrown oceanfront property.

Besides the weather, what is the biggest difference between the island of Manhattan and Bermuda? Bermuda is like moving to a very small and isolated town! But it’s even smaller than that because it’s an island isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, not near anything. COVID has forced a lot of New Yorkers to move elsewhere, but we were ready for the big move and slower-paced lifestyle and really love it.

How did you come up with the idea for sunhats? I love sun hats and own so many. But, I hated how you had to commit to a sewn-on ribbon. That’s not ideal for me because I am always wearing a different outfit based on my mood. So I thought why not make my ribbon interchangeable. This is not a new concept! Centuries ago, women would buy various ribbons from their milliners to change up their hat looks. I love the hat shop scene in the new Emma adaptation!

What is your daily uniform? A boho maxi dress, a big straw hat, lots of gold bracelets, and layered charm necklaces.

Do you have a favorite kaftan print or ribbon print? I love anything that truly looks unique and vintage.

Do you miss writing/editing or do you prefer designing? Biggest differences or surprises? I love writing! But it really uses a different part of the brain compared to running a business. Luckily, if I am in a creative writing mood, I will just let it all out in an Instagram caption.

Eternal Style Muse? Lynn Wyatt meets Loulou de la Falaise.

Tell us, do residents really wear Bermuda shorts? Yes! And Bermuda socks. It’s the traditional formalwear for men for weddings and for men who work in suits-required careers like finance and law.

As far as setting a table, any must-haves? To keep things elevated and unique, I always mix in antique porcelain plates and candlestick holders. While you can find them at fancy places like 1stDibs and Chairish, I find them at flea markets and thrift stores. I love classic bamboo flatware, real silverware, and Laguiole flatware. Linens are so important and really are the backdrop to everything though. Nice pressed linens set the tone for the entire table. I use spray starch to get them extra perfect!

In addition to sun hats, kaftans, jewelry, and handbags- do you have anything else dreamed up for Sarah Bray Bermuda? When I moved to Bermuda, I knew I wanted to open a shop and perhaps a B&B. There is so much beauty in Bermuda that I want to celebrate and share with others. I love thrifting and antiques, as you can tell! So I wanted to start a brand that upcycles and recycles as much as possible, and when old materials are not available I want to try to commit to using biodegradable materials when possible. So we started with sun hats because they are mostly made of natural straw that won't last long in a landfill and they aren’t made with any dyes. My caftans and headbands are all made from antique and vintage fabrics, as to not bring any additional waste into our beautiful world. I also just launched bamboo bags with interchangeable pouches made from vintage fabrics. Bamboo is one of our world’s most renewable materials.

Where do you work from? My house! But I will be opening a shop in Bermuda later this year and will work from there.

SHOPPING

The English Sports Shop If you didn’t pack your Bermuda shorts and wool knee-length socks, swing into The English Sports shop right when you land. The island’s most iconic shop was founded in 1918 and also known for its preppy pastel sweaters embroidered with a throwback Bermuda crest.

The Irish Linen Shop With its lemon-yellow exterior and coordinating cabana-striped awnings, The Irish Linen Shop has the most Instagrammable facade on Front Street. The institution has stood on the corner since the mid-century. Today, the shop is still family-owned and sells pieces for the perfect picnic, like wicker trays by Amanda Lindroth and cheeky cocktail napkins by August Morgan.

Tuck Shop Half bakery, half general store, Tuck Shop, in the Southampton parish of the island, is truly a tucked-away treasure. They have the best Indian block print sundresses by indie labels like Natalie Martin Collective and found items like authentic Japanese silk kimonos.

What are your favorite hotels on the island and why? The newly remodeled Rosewood is lovely and I am so excited for the St. Regis to open this May, but for an authentic, truly Bermudian stuck-in-time stay I would recommend Coral Beach Club or Salt Kettle Inn.

DRINKS | DINING

The Conservatory Bar at The Rosewood Opening up to an atrium courtyard with views of Castle Harbor, the newly opened Conservatory Bar at the Rosewood is the perfect place for afternoon tea or sunset drinks. Try one of the handcrafted cocktails enhanced with local botanicals and house-made infusion.

The Swizzle Inn Invented in 1931, the Rum Swizzle is Bermuda’s most iconic beverage. Since opening in 1932 in a 17th-century roadside house, The Swizzle Inn has been the place pouring the preferred punch. After a long day in the sun, split a pitcher with friends and order the fresh fish sandwich.

Tom Moores Tavern Founded in 1652, Tom Moores Tavern is Bermuda’s oldest watering hole. Tucked away in an overgrown jungle that overlooks a small marina, the historic establishment is older than any bar in America.

1609 The best place to watch sailboats cruise into Hamilton Harbour is 1609 at The Hamilton Princess. The marina-front bar and restaurant take its name,1609, from the year that the Sea Venture shipwrecked on Bermuda’s shores and the first colony was born. The fish tacos are a favorite.

The Dining Room at Gibbs Lighthouse After walking up the 185 steps to the top of Gibbs Lighthouse, you deserve a pizza and a glass of wine at The Dining Room below. Located in the former keeper’s cottage at the foot of the circa-1846 lighthouse, the restaurant is uniquely charming.

ARTS | CULTURE

The National Museum of Bermuda The National Museum of Bermuda is full of interesting art and artifacts, like the jewelry and porcelain pieces excavated from sunken ships that wrecked near the island. Nautical fans will appreciate the antique vessels at The Boat Loft. Art history lovers, don’t miss the paintings in The Commissioner’s House.

Bermuda National Gallery This year, Bermuda National Gallery is hosting the 13th Bermuda Biennial. The exhibit is a great opportunity to absorb the current culture (participating creatives include artists, designers, architects, writers, and performers) all under one roof.

The Hamilton Princess The Hamilton Princess’s public art collection is worthy of the MoMA. Juxtaposed against the property’s historic architectural details, are pieces by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Nelson Mandela, Banksy, and Philippe Decrauzat.

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art The artwork Georgia O’Keefe sketched of local flora and foliage while she lived in Bermuda hangs at Masterworks. I love the story of how O’Keefe escaped to Bermuda in 1933 to clear her mind and refuel on inspiration. After seeing these works and others by local artists, grab a coffee at the museum’s charming cafe that overlooks the Bermuda Botanical Gardens.

Sarah Bray | Bermuda

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