Local Local with The List: Gwyneth & Grey

Local boutique owner Emy found her happy place when the opportunity to buy Gwyneth & Grey came her way. She signed contracts on the eve of her wedding, giving her lots of reasons to celebrate that week. Although she has always enjoyed shopping, she didn’t come from a fashion background so it was a steep learning curve in the early days.

But it's fair to say she has hit the ground running, combining time spent in the store with research, study and buying trips to Paris. But above all that, Emy prides herself on the friendly customer service and the community feel that she and her team bring to the High Street. And with her little dog, Lady Lola, on hand to greet you, you'll be hard pushed to find a warmer welcome on your shopping trip to town.

Read Emy’s story here.

 

 

‘The decision to buy Gwyneth & Grey happened within weeks and actually the night before I got married, I signed the agreement to buy the business.’

 

How It All Began.

With my childhood spent in Guernsey and my adult life in Sydney, it's fair to say that I have experienced a lot of adjustment over the years so taking the opportunity to purchase Gwyneth & Grey and jump into something new and exciting was a decision that came quite easily for me. 

It has definitely been an exciting couple of years - the decision to buy Gwyneth & Grey happened within weeks and actually the night before I got married, I signed the agreement to buy the business! Needless to say, there was plenty of cause to celebrate and drink champagne that week!

 

 

‘Completing the ambience is my little dog, Lady Lola, who has adjusted to shop life as well as me.’

 

My Happy Place.

For me the shop is my happy place. I’m always told it offers a special vibe and I wholeheartedly agree. It’s a welcoming space. We are lucky to have such lovely customers who visit us regularly and give it the warmth that I love. Completing the ambience is my little dog, Lady Lola, who has adjusted to shop life as well as me! We also have a balcony overlooking the harbour and in the summer months, it's lovely to be able to treat our customers and have a coffee out there. 

This season has been my first season buying without guidance from the previous owner and for me the most rewarding time yet. The customers have been incredibly positive about the collections and have given me a real boost moving forward in my new role as boutique owner.

 

Behind The Scenes.

Whilst I have always enjoyed shopping - for new and vintage pieces - I didn’t come from a fashion background so it felt like a steep learning curve in the early days. Last year I studied colour analysis with the London College of Style and I continue to research and read as much as I can. 

At the moment I’m reading How to Build a Fashion Icon by Law Roach, a recently retired stylist. He has reminded me that it’s not necessarily important to dress for our shape but how it makes us feel. I wholeheartedly agree and hope that we bring this ethos to Gwyneth & Grey. I feel very strongly about that in-store, it’s all about we make people feel - both in clothes choices and in our service.

 

 

'It’s not necessarily important to dress for our shape but how it makes us feel.'

 

Highlights And Challenges Along The Way.

I think one of the biggest surprises owning this business is the amount of travel that I do buying for the shop. I visit a couple of shows in Paris each season (thank you Aurigny for the direct flights!) and there are always lots of showroom appointments, but I have also been venturing further afield this year to bring new and unique brands to the shop to ensure that the shop is personal to me. 

The travel sounds glamorous, and of course is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow in the fashion world, but travel is tiring and not particularly glamorous when doing it alone and with so many delays these days.

 

Celebrating Local Life.

During my travels I love to visit other independent boutiques. Often I feel very inspired and enjoy talking to other business owners, and in some cases it makes me realise how lucky I am to own Gwyneth & Grey and how lucky we all are here in Guernsey to have the nice independent shops on our High Street. 

It’s a wonderful offering that both locals and visitors enjoy and in my opinion it's vital to keep that uniqueness and community spirit going in our lovely little island. 

 

 

'It makes me realise how lucky I am to own Gwyneth & Grey and how lucky we all are here in Guernsey to have the nice independent shops on our High Street.' 

 

It Might Surprise You To Know...

When I’m not in the shop I’m spending time with my family - my husband and two sons - and we love travelling and eating, or a combination of both! We are quite obsessed with food! I also practise as much yoga as possible as that really calms my mind and keeps me strong. 

This year I’m learning Italian as my husband speaks multiple languages so it’s easy to be lazy in his company and I think it's really important to keep growing and stimulating the mind.

 

Why The List Loves Gwyneth & Grey.

In a world that's dominated by fast fashion and online retailers, Gwyneth & Grey brings a different approach to clothes shopping to Guernsey.  The boutique delivers a high end shopping experience that you would normally expect to find in Paris or London. Emy takes her responsibilities seriously, supplying her clientele with quality and stylish clothing that she sources from emerging and ethical brands, offering an alternative to the 'throw away' clothing culture that many of us are turning our backs on.

And with Lady Lola on hand to welcome customers into the store, the customer service is second to none.