When Tracy Moss looks back on the year’s she has spent building The Haven from a dream into Bluffton’s preeminent fashion boutique, the thing she’s most proud of is the women who have joined her on this journey.
“There are six of us, ranging in age from 19 to early 60s. I wanted to have a diverse group so that everyone can find someone they can work with to find their look,” Moss said. “I like being able to offer something to a mom, a daughter, or a grandmother, and I feel like our staff reflects that. They can help anyone who walks in the door.”
Meet the Team: (from left to right) Roxy Taylor, Lori Cantrell, Jessica Seminara, Tracy Moss, Stacey Walls, Jenna Petracca and Michelle Wentworth
Joining Moss at the Haven are Jessica Seminara, Stacey Walls, Michelle Wentworth, Roxy Taylor, Lori Cantrell, and Jenna Petracca, each making her own mark on The Haven’s beautifully curated offerings of accessible, fashion-forward clothing.
“I feel like I’m able to see through their eyes a lot, even when I go up to market,” Moss said. “I’m in my 50s now. I don’t remember what I wore in my 20s. So I try and think about what my 20-year-old would wear and what they like.”
The buyers’ market is where Moss does some of her most important work, making multiple trips a year to scout out the hottest looks. “I always select neutrals. I love black, and denim is pretty much my vibe,” she said. “I feel like I go and cherry pick the best items from every booth.” With a laugh, she added, “It probably gets on every vendor’s nerves.”
But it’s worth irritating a few fashion houses to create the singularly chic blend of clothing and accessories that have made The Haven a Bluffton institution. Presenting a decidedly different take on Southern fashion, the racks here offer a rich palette of neutral tones across items that exude laid-back elegant flair. There are outfits and accessories for every situation – a day out on the boat, a night at a high-end wine bar, or just a casual get-together.
Pair these jeans with that black leather jacket for a bold rockabilly style. Layer this necklace over that dress for dazzling elegance. It’s a collection that lets women truly express their own sense of style, couched with a language of casual refinement.
Presenting a decidedly different take on Southern fashion, the racks here offer a rich palette of neutral tones across items that exude laid-back elegant flair.
“I don’t necessarily like the classic Southern look of pinks and florals, but I love the less formal Southern approach to fashion,” Moss said.
The broad perspective of her diverse staff helps guide a fashionable sensibility Moss has developed over a lifetime in retail. Starting out in college at The Gap – which surely laid the foundation for her love affair with denim – she made her way to the Lowcountry, where she developed her style at iconic boutiques.
“I’ve had a lot of smart people who have helped me along the way,” Moss said. “And I still do. I know how to merchandise, and I know what looks good. From there, it’s just a matter of surrounding myself with smart people.”
It’s a far cry from when Moss first took the leap in opening her own boutique five years ago, when it was just herself, her mom, and one person who handled her social media.
“I actually had to fire my own mom during COVID,” she said with a sigh of acceptance. “She was cool with it, though. She completely understood, and I helped her file for unemployment.”
With no hard feelings, her mom has watched with pride as Moss has built a staff around her who are helping her take The Haven to new heights.
“Eventually I’d like to have another store, but I don’t know how these chains do it,” Moss said. “One store is a lot.”
Thankfully, she has help. “I feel like one area where I really did my job well was in hiring,” she said. “Hire the right people and everything becomes a lot easier, and I feel like I’ve done that.”
