Susan E. Riley - A Unique Boutique

Susan E. Riley A Unique Boutique

Just how involved is fashion designer Susan E. Riley in the day-to-day operations of her clothing empire? When we touched base with her earlier this summer at her boutique on Via Amore off Worth Avenue, she was in the middle of preparations for opening her summer boutique in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Suzy managed to slow down long enough to share some of what she’s learned on her journey, along with why a commitment to all things custom continues to guide her work today. (did we happen to mention she designed and built her own Harbor Springs home?) and then finally Fashion Design at LA’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Is it any surprise, then, that her response to the oft-asked question, “How do you become a designer?” is simple: “Go to college,” she says.

Owning your own business, meanwhile, takes something else, according to Suzy: “A lot of chutzpah.”

The Path to Palm Beach

Suzy’s mother and grandmother - both skilled sewers - taught her the complicated craft of bound buttonholes when she was a child. The word “shortcut” was not in their vocabulary, and the quest for perfection in detail remains an essential part of Suzy’s modern-day design ethos.

Suzy’s journey to becoming a successful Palm Beach designer and boutique owner can hardly be described as a straight line. After graduating from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York City, Aspen, Colorado was to become the launch pad for her first career – Skiwear! (Stein Eriksen taught her how to ski, and shortly thereafter she became the first woman sales representative in America for Bogner Skiwear, the most prestigious Skiwear Company in the World.

But the siren song of Design was strong – ten years later Suzy returned to college again, first to study Architecture at Chicago’s School of Art Institute

From the Streets of Paris to the Amalfi Coast

Of course, all of the chutzpah in the world is meaningless without products people want. Suzy’s distinctive clothing attracts women from ages 1994 who aren’t just drawn to her designs, but also to the unique one-on-one attention Suzy bestows on all of her clients - whether they’re in search of a chic mother-of-the-bride dress or merely taken by a hand-woven Parisian purse while window-shopping.

The premise of this unusual boutique has always been French re-embroidered lace. It has long been a hallmark of her work. Her eponymously named flagship store, Susan E. Riley, evokes the couturiers of Paris in housing an extraordinary collection of French laces in a myriad of colors. Suzy explains that laces come in a variety of ways: some are very stiff while others are soft and some are re-embroidered. To be of good quality, the tulle must be very close together. Other details which elevate Susan E. Riley pieces from the ordinary to the extraordinary? French seams,

bound buttonholes, buttons from the world over, silk linings, custom lengths, and her Signature Bow at the Waist. Suzy’s clothes are so beautifully finished that they can even be worn inside out. They are surprisingly versatile, and when you factor in Suzy’s talent with the large selection of re-embroidered laces and silk linings, the variety of color options is unlimited.

While brides flock to her boutique to have her design and coordinate beautiful outfits for their bridesmaids and mothers, they are only a part of her business. She designs for every occasion from formal events and dressy cocktail and dinner parties to informal beach weddings (where the wedding party might be outfitted in great pants!) “No matter the location, the pictures must be beautiful,” Suzy says. “This is where the importance of choosing the right colors to complement a custom outfit comes into play.”

Suzy designs and carries beautiful silk, silk organza and lace blouses as well as Duchesse satin jackets to go with her skirts and pants. Looking at some of her design combinations sent our imaginations into a whirl of exciting possibilities. For example, the pairing of a perfectly fitted Susan E. Riley lace pencil skirt with a Duchess satin jacket is the embodiment of effortless elegance. Looking for something more casual? Slip a tank or tee shirt, or possibly a cashmere turtleneck, under a satin jacket. Suzy’s clothes are versatile and can be mixed in any number of ways. They are unique and timeless.

But just because Suzy’s designs are immaculately constructed doesn’t mean they’re exclusively reserved for special occasions. Enter her second Via Amore boutique: The Palm Beach Yachting Company, inspired by her love of yachting (Suzy sails her own boat, single-handed). From tunics and sportswear from Italy and France, to cashmere shawls and brightly colored Concho belts, The Palm Beach Yachting Company -- much like all of the neighboring shops in the triple hibiscus-laden Via Amore courtyard -- has a sportier “resort wear” vibe. As Suzy laughingly says, “We offer beautiful sportswear to wear on your yacht, your imaginary yacht, your dinghy, or simply lunch at Cafe Flora!”

Walking through the colorful Via Amore courtyard with Suzy, we asked her about reinventing herself after 50 when she made the decision to open her two boutiques. She explained that around this stage in life, a lot of people find themselves at a loss. There is fear and hesitation about trying something new. Suzy was not going to allow this to happen to her. “In my life,” she explained, “I have often gone off the high dive without water in the pool. You have to have a lot of faith.”

“What inspires you?” was our next question. “Joy inspires me,” she enthusiastically declared. “This gorgeous courtyard with its beautiful fountains, sculptures and flowers. Walking down Worth Avenue with the ocean nearby inspires me. The inventiveness of the other designers and the ability they have to evolve inspire me.”

“What is the most satisfying thing about your work?” we wanted to know. “Helping women to feel beautiful!” she said.

Suzy’s favorite piece of fashion advice when it comes to dressing older women? Timelessness trumps trendiness every time. She also highlights the importance of fit and personal style combined with an understanding of the intricacies of everything from skirt length to collar cut. “Armed with the right information,” Suzy insists, “it doesn’t take much to look beautiful.”

The Origins of Inspiration

Audrey Hepburn (wearing Hubert de Givenchy), Lauren Bacall and Grace Kelly were her greatest inspiration, along with Bill Blass, Geoffrey Beene, Oscar de la Renta, and of course, Chanel.

Suzy is eager to share her characteristic joie de vivre with others -- from her volunteer work teaching underprivileged children about fashion figure drawing to ambitious plans to further expand her presence on the lecture circuit. (She is currently available for bookings).

If it all sounds ambitious, that’s because it is. There’s plenty of room for reinvention after 50, says Suzy, as long as you have the faith to go along with it.