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How would you describe your personal style? And when shopping with Na Nin, what kinds of pieces do you find yourself most drawn to?

I would describe my style as “minimalist plus." I’m far from having a capsule wardrobe, as I still like lots of choices. I reach for styles with organic fabrics, solid colors, and comfortable design. I own a lot of black, white, cream and navy, where everything can mix and match. I travel often, and having this natural color palette makes packing a breeze. Other than special occasion outfits, I’m not drawn to “one and done” outfits. A one and done can be worn once on a trip; not a good choice for travel. I have a few pieces with prints (mostly stripes), but usually if I want a pop of color it’s in a scarf, shoes, jacket, or bag.

I find myself most drawn to the raw silk, basketweave, and Peruvian cotton pieces at Na Nin. Na Nin’s clothing all has a beautiful hand and drape to each piece. You cannot go wrong. I love to purchase pieces I can mix and match. Most pieces flow through each season seamlessly just by adding a long sleeve or sweater for fall. I can wear the same pants or skirt in spring/summer with a sleeveless weave top or light weight long sleeve complimentary top or shirt. Layering is key with Na Nin clothing as well, which works in any season.

What resonates with you about supporting a small, independent designer like Na Nin?

I love supporting Na Nin. Na Nin’s in-house clothing line meshes perfectly with my style and with the fabrics I am drawn to and wear consistently. The fact that their boutiques are local, is a huge plus for me and for the Richmond community. Buying local is so important to keep the stores thriving and growing.

Since we hand blend our own fragrances and candles in-house, do you have a favorite scent from Na Nin?

There are so many fabulous fragrances, it’s difficult to choose! For an evening winter mood, I love burning the Cannabis & Opium Den candle. Also, any fragrance made with palo santo is a winner. I recently tried their Landslide Eau De Parfum and was immediately drawn into its clean, clear scent.

What have you enjoyed most about our new location in Bon air?

Mostly, I love the expanse and openness of the store. It’s bright, pretty, smells great, and there is a lot of room to roam to browse. I immediately recognized the thoughtfulness and care that went into each style decision. Looking up at the tall ceilings you see the gorgeous handmade basketweave light shades (although calling the coverings a shade doesn’t do the hand woven creations justice; the shades are huge, unique, and beautiful).

The wood and steel rod clothing open “armoires” are also very pretty. The wood is stunning. And if you’d like to sit down, you can enjoy their hand woven chairs. The designs and attention to detail in Na Nin Buford Road aren’t seen in any other boutique I have entered. Do yourself a favor and stop by to enjoy the store, take in the merchandise layout, and chat with the wonderful associates. And, if you cannot make it in, you can always check out their website shopnanin.com.

Laurel pictured with her ceramics at her pop up with Na Nin at Buford Rd

What’s inspiring you right now in your pottery practice, and are there any projects on the horizon you’re excited about?

What’s inspiring me right now in my pottery adventure is to create consistent shapes. Throwing pottery can be tricky when you’re trying to “match” the exact shape of a previous piece. It cannot be done. Each piece is unique and hand thrown. I also know that customers love a good mug, so my next challenge is to make functional, beautiful mugs. What keeps me excited is knowing that every time I am in the studio, I am creating a new and unique piece. I watch a lot of You Tube videos and Instagram posts to get new and fresh ideas on shapes, colors, and functionality. Working on one’s craft takes a lot of time and self reflection. In the end, it’s just clay. If the piece doesn’t turn out as you had hoped, recycle the clay and start over!