Rosewood Bermuda has named Sarah Bray-West, the Bermuda-based designer and founder of the sustainable sun hat collection Sarah Bray Bermuda, as “Rosewood PlaceMaker”.

Married to a Bermudian, the Texan moved to the island and founded a new design venture after first making a name for herself in the United States.

For the past decade, she has been a writer and editor in New York City for publications such as House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Veranda, Town & Country, Hamptons and Beach.

She conceded some disenchantment with promoting the overconsumption of luxury goods for a living.

“I was conflicted,” she writes on her website. “I love beautiful things and art history (decorative and fashion history included), but glamorising wasteful, non-essential products started to hugely conflict with my ethics and love of our planet.”

She relocated on island just before the pandemic and began realigning her career values and brainstorming how she could make a living around inspirational, but not wasteful, shopping.

She launched a new collection made from antique, vintage, recycled and biodegradable materials.

It captured the imagination of Rosewood, which said the designer is emblematic of the resort’s “sense of place” philosophy, wherein each property is designed to immerse guests in the destination.

Rosewood said: “Sarah has been tapped to help guests harness local culture through bespoke and exclusive lifestyle experiences centred around fashion, design and entertaining.”

“Sarah embraces the island’s vibrant style and culture, and it’s reflected through her focus on sustainable designs and commitment to the local community,” said Andrew Archibald, managing director of Rosewood Bermuda.

“We are thrilled for this opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Sarah to create unique moments for our guests to discover what makes Bermuda so special.”

As Rosewood Bermuda’s PlaceMaker, Sarah has created a local’s guide of must-see “off-the-beaten-path” locations for visitors to explore.

Highlights include Leslie’s Desserts in Victoria Park, Hamilton, which serves a sweet selection of confections; Tuck Shop, half bakery, half general store with a collection of everything from delectable pastries to specialty sundries from all over the globe to block-print sundresses; the 90-year-old Lili Bermuda Perfumery, located within an historic 18th-century building surrounded by a garden courtyard where fruits, flowers and other aromatics are picked for inspiration; and artistic enclave ReStore: Habitat for Humanity Bermuda, a curated gallery that offers a collection of local art and antiques to excite the seasoned treasure hunter.

The full itinerary of ten locations can be found on Rosewood Bermuda’s website.

Bookable experiences curated by Sarah Bray-West for guests of Rosewood Bermuda include:

• Hatter’s Tea Party & Trunk Show: Sarah will kick off her “Hatter’s” tea parties on May 13, 2023, showcasing her bespoke line of biodegradable Sarah Bray Bermuda sun hats woven from sea grass and palm leaf with vintage floral ribbons

• Bermuda Tablescape Series: Over an intimate dinner in the chef’s garden at Island Brasserie, the evening will feature a beautiful tablescape personally curated by Sarah Bray

"It's an honour to work with Bermuda's most revered resort,” she said. “My sun hats are inspired by Bermuda's uniquely organic, isolated beauty. Rosewood Bermuda’s lush mid-Atlantic gardens are an inspiration for my accessories made from organic island materials, like seagrass, bamboo and palm leaf."

In April 2023, Sarah will debut a selection of Sarah Bray Bermuda hats in Rosewood Bermuda’s boutique.