The tiny island of Iona, Scotland is believed to be one of the most sacred places in the world. Full of stunning medieval architecture, white sand beaches, and calming villages, the New York Times states that it is merely a speck among the archipelago, Hebrides, but a historically rich speck at that. Madison’s new, premiere fashion boutique gets its name from this so-called speck and it seems to resemble just that.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Madison, owner Pamela Wilson has opened a gem of a clothing store—boasting high-end designers from coast to coast and old-fashion clothes with a modern twist. After spending most of her adult life working in business, Wilson decided it was time to pursue a dream involving fashion and in August of 2013, Iona was opened.
Iona features clothing from designers located in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Europe. While interviewing Wilson, I couldn’t help but be in awe with the magnitude of fabulous, almost vintage pieces from so many different time periods. A multitude of designers wrap the outer walls of the store including Graham and Spencer’s widely successful Velvet line, Raquel Allegra’s famed shredding technique and Mother, a brand proudly worn by celebrities like Rhianna. Bohemian-elegance jewelry designs dawn the center of Iona and present Heather Gardner’s collection and Italian designer, Iosselliani— both collections disguised beneath Swarovski crystals.
An incredible 31 designers fill the chic and modern boutique—each designer unique, but specifically hand-picked by Wilson to create a uniform yet bold take on today’s fashion. After a wonderful interview, Wilson gave me a tour of the store, pointing out her favorite designs along the way. I instantly fell in love with the design team of the Portland Collection. With their designs dating back to 1863, artists for the collection have found a way to showcase the fabrics, textures and colors with a modern twist. With dark lace, formfitting dresses, to minimalistic designs, Love, Zooey has traditional designs that would catch any collegiette’s eye.
After putting together a stunning outfit featuring many of the store’s designers, Wilson told me how anyone can obtain their fashion dreams, simply by formulating a business plan, having a great team of advisors, being financially sound, but most importantly, by loving every aspect of their dream. Owner Pamela Wilson left me with words that extend far beyond the realm of boutique ownership and stated, “As redundant as it is, you really have to love it.”