One-of-a-kind children’s boutique shares gifts of beauty, color and uniquity Mor Mor Rita is a new children's boutique set in Williamsburg, the artistic heart and creative center of Brooklyn. Ryan Roche, owner and creative director of Mor Mor Rita, has assembled a boutique that lets the children of Williamsburg's artist-types look as hip as their parents, showcasing vintage children's clothing, newly designed children's haute couture and even handmade jewelry by local designers for children and the people that love them. In today's world of mass production, the Mor Mor Rita boutique is a miraculous treasure trove of things made with care. From baby cashmere Souchi blankets in an exquisite and subtle range of colors to hand painted baby portraits and hand dyed antique cotton dresses, Mor Mor Rita is guided by the philosophy that just because you are a new parent, you and your child don't have to sacrifice beauty and serenity. The store's creative vision is to remember what keepsakes and treasures are, using the innate creativity and divine elegance of children as inspiration. Roche has enlisted talented local artists to create original designs for children, from one of a kind hand-stitched stuffed animals to hand sewed and dyed dresses to vintage woolen coats to designer t-shirts and truly original knitwear. Roche's store sells objects that are beautiful and magical, modern yet timeless, clothing and accessories for children that are unique and guaranteed to convey “sentimental value” for many years to come. In addition to local artists, Roche, a designer in her own right, also creates many of the objects in her store herself. Stepping into Mor Mor Rita is like stepping into a fantasy-land for children, where everything is made with love and by hand. Accessories such as goddess feather headbands and felted wool clips and pins tempt for an afternoon of dress-up. Painted portraits, watercolor children's cards, and photographic t-shirts designed by a local "mommy" photographer make perfect gifts. And the Mor Mor Rita clothing collection designed by Roche is also included in the display. Made for girls and boys up to 4T, dyeing, embroidery, printing and cashmere lace trims done by Roche's careful hand. Mor Mor Rita also offers jewelry for both mommy and baby, including hairclips adorned with antique feathers, semiprecious stones, and custom name bracelets and even a diamond here and there. The shop is also interspersed with meticulously selected antiques for the home and for little ones. Roche named the boutique after her great grandmother Mor Mor Rita who was the matriarch of a family that spent their time sewing precious designs with nothing more than flea market finds and scraps of colorful fabric, she became Roche's first "creative mentor." Roche wishes to share the beauty and spirit of Mor Mor Rita_the woman and the boutique_and hopes that their sense of wonder will inspire you with a feeling that will remain throughout the day. ................................................................................................................................................................ Ryan Roche Richly colored family memories and the passing of cherished, hand-crafted keepsakes from generation to generation are two things that are very close to Ryan Roche's heart. Born and raised in the country town of Bellevue, Idaho and surrounded by her mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mor Mor Rita, Roche grew up among stacks of colorful fabrics, weekend yard sales and countless hours spent sewing one-of-a-kind creations. Great grandmother Mor Mor Rita was the root of all the creativity and eccentricity in the family-never leaving home without being “done” from head-to-toe in a dazzling ensemble with matching shoes, clutch and perfectly painted red lips_a colorful sense of style that made a permanent mark on Roche's own. Mor Mor Rita's creative spirit further inspired Ryan when she went off to San Francisco to study fashion design at the Academy of Art College. Landing in New York four years ago, Roche married and started her own family, which now includes husband Garrett, daughter Luella and son Fionn. Working as a women's wear designer, Roche found she was only truly able to tap into her deepest creativity when knitting and sewing her own colorful designs for her two children. Encouraged by her group of talented friends, Roche saw the potential for a boutique where she, alongside her friends and local artists, could showcase exclusive designs created for and inspired by children. And that is exactly what she has done. Mor Mor Rita is a shop filled with precious treasures including hand-painted portraits, hand-knit animals, vintage children's clothing, watercolor cards, sherbet-hued cashmere blankets, turn-of-the-century ceramics and of course, colorful, one-of-a-kind clothing designs, under the label Mor Mor Rita. In today's world of mass production, the Mor Mor Rita boutique is a magical treasure trove housing unique creations that will remain with families for generations to come.
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