Roztayger
Handpicked Luxury Lifestyle Goods for the Modern Minded.
Roztyager represents the epitome of luxury, beauty and quality. Deterred by trends, each item in the shop has been purposefully picked from a long list of rationality – from unique characteristics of the leather, to the refined aesthetic of small batch handcrafted items, to the women led cooperative behind a certain brand. The story and history behind each brand in the shop is just as important as the item itself. It's this relationship between craft, aesthetic and refinement that exists as the intersection of our shop.
Our founder Elizabeth has answered some questions regarding the new shop, where we've come from and where we're heading.
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With the launch of the newly redesigned Roztayger, how are you feeling?
I’m excited for the next chapter of the shop as it evolves and becomes more defined. The new site will aim to showcase the quality and uniqueness of the collections in a more engaging manner. It is my hope that the passion I have for the products I carry, comes through to the person shopping on the other side of the screen more readily.
What key things should new customers know about Roztayger and what it represents?
Because it is an online business and I have limited access to knowing my clients more intimately, the most apt description I could give to each collection is that it pulls together what I feel are items worth investing in. Things that I would personally invest in whether I had a shop or not. As I get older I buy less but I try to buy quality whenever possible. I like designs that are a bit left of center but not way out there. I do occasionally enjoy experimental pieces that push the envelope I also want to be sure I’ll be using that item in two years time. I think of my clients as having a similar outlook. As it turns out I have gotten to know a number of clients quite well and they indeed have a similar philosophy of shopping and self expression.
You work with clients to do personal style consulting both across the country and abroad recently. What are one or two tips you like to share with your shoppers?
I think the best advice is to make sure you know your body, what you feel comfortable in and embrace yourself. We all have different shapes and personal proclivities; things we love and things we don’t. Never dress to impress anyone but yourself. If you are confident you are less likely to overthink what you are wearing. This allows you to absolutely be yourself, get to the heart of living and accomplish what it is you set out to do. I truly feel if you are comfortable with your self and your exterior you can get onto the more important matters of life. Unfortunately women have been primed to place too much importance on how we look. While it is fun to dress up or embellish ourselves it should not be a chore or an activity fraught with stress. I believe we all experience this in our lives, more so as we get older. It’s a lesson that is best learned as early as possible.
Something you have spent time developing personally, is the idea of the uniform. How would you describe this and why is it important to you?
I think by the time I turned 40 I had narrowed down what looks worked for me, and ever since then, I have spent very little time thinking about what to wear – I find that freeing. I don’t have patience for trying on so many outfits to figure out the one. I admit that sometimes you have to do this which can be fun, but I much prefer having those shapes and styles that already work in my closet. I grab the underpinnings: for me its often a pair of boyfriend jeans, a white, black or grey shirt and then I just add visual interest in shoes, a sweater, jewelry or a handbag, etcetera. It’s important to have fabrics that feel tactile and pleasant on my skin and that I can move in. I must be comfortable, able to move freely; no tight clothes for me! Occasionally I may wear an item which is more fitted but I prefer a bit more mystery in terms of clothing silhouettes.
In terms of the product mix for Roztayger, in a day and age where shopping can feel overwhelming, what is a focus for the shop that you consistently maintain?
I try to hone in on pieces within a collection that are the most useful in terms of shape and color versatility – items in the shop vary in price point, so I also try to calculate value into the mix. If I end up selecting a unique color, it needs to be very specific in tone and able to mix with a neutral wardrobe. I look for quality and interesting tones, to neutrals and details which make the pieces stand out.
Which are the brands that Roztayger exclusively stocks, and why is that important to you?
There are so many stores out there – online is full of great stores stocking a huge variety of items and designers. As a small, independent shop I can’t compete with the bigger shops in terms of huge markdowns and free shipping, so I try to find collections that are not as easy to find but they are ones I feel passionate about.
I truly believe in all the collections I stock but a few of the hard to find brands are Tsatsas, PB 0110, Anne Grand Clement, Le Yucca, Bonastre and ‘Tiane Tenui. Each of these designers are true perfectionists in terms of design, craft, quality and of ensuring that every product is executed with precision and integrity.
You've recently relocated to California from New York. Will you be looking to expand into a brick + mortar location at some point in the future?
Ideally I’d love a small shop off the beaten path to work out of and to see people in person as they find me. It’s hard to manage both online and brick and mortar well, as both are extremely time consuming when done right; its very intense work that never lets up. It is something I have wanted to do all my life however, so I press on. Times are changing so fast in retail right now that it can be hard to know what the future holds for retail. Moreover I do think there is always a place for well executed, artistic, thoughtful and conveying a special ambiance in a brick + mortar space. I know when I travel I enjoy going into smaller stores and taking in someone’s creative vision that I feel connected with.
How do you know you've found the perfect new product to bring into the shop – is it a feeling or does it go beyond that?
I’m not sure how I know but its pretty instinctive for me. Generally its things I believe in and that I don’t second guess, more often than not my gut feeling is usually correct. There are many products I love that I don’t bring in, due to it not being the right balance for my assortment, the distribution being too wide for that product - there are so many factors go into the final selections. I do often just fall in love and feel powerless to not write an order, luckily, often this works out. When a rep tells me “this sells like crazy” I have to step back and check in with myself on what works for my clients and my store. Often I will bring in a line I bought or myself on a completely unrelated trip, I try it out and fall in love. Then I track down the designer and see if they are open to selling at Roztayger.
What staples from the shop have you personally utilized and why?
I have many staples from the store. A few favorites are Le Yucca shoes, Porter travel totes, Douce Gloire cashmere wraps, Chimala jeans, Oyuna cashmere sweaters and coats, Bonne Maison socks, Anne Grand Clement pouches, Tsatsas toes and briefs, PB 0110 wallets, ‘Tiane Tenui basket bag, the list goes on! I’m all about our Night Space candles right now, the scents are heavenly. Plus, I can’t forget the Gabriel Artigas infinite tusk series.
How do you incorporate your background in art history into the personality of the store?
I have always been a visual person and drawn to that balance or colors that are off primary and more painterly. I don’t see any direct parallel - only that my eye is drawn to beauty so whether that is art or clothing/accessories it’s all the same. If it delights my eye I’m at least paying attention and anxious for the next level of engagement.