ILOYA (France)

Set against the picturesque background of the Île de Ré, a small island off the west coast of France, Iloya is a vibrantly colored boutique bursting with hidden treasures. After studying tourism and moving to England where she worked in high-end stores in London, Marie Schmitz realized she had a yearning to return home to her Île de Ré. And it was in March 2005 that she opened the doors to a delightful boutique which, as well as symbolizing a return to her roots, also means Marie gets to be her own boss. From the outset her idea was to offer something different, providing a product range which is not just exclusive but also out of the ordinary and often surprising. The Iloya concept is an invitation to set off and travel, inspired by fashion favorites scouted by Marie and her long-time assistant Liselotte Boucard, who shares her passion. Theirs is a privileged location: standing opposite Saint-Martin-de-Ré port, slightly apart from other businesses, Iloya invites passers-by and all those whose curiosity is piqued to wander into its universe… As soon as the door opens, wide-eyed on-lookers cannot help exclaiming an enthusiastic «Wow!» Inside, they discover a place which is rather discreet in layout but rich in fine details and distinct furnishings. It is carefully designed in order to project to the forefront the products on display in their countless colors. The offer at Iloya  is undoubtedly off the beaten track: for women’s fashion this includes ready-to-wear as well as homewear, swimwear and wireless intimates selected for their great comfort; alongside these are children’s fashion, menswear, accessories,  interior decoration, beauty products, perfumes, shoes and jewelry! Marie and Liselotte strive to offer only niche brands which are not easily come by. In their search for labels, they have a keen eye for perfect cuts and exceptional colors; fabrics also must be top-notch, not just beautiful but also original and comfortable to wear. Importance is given to textiles made of natural fibers, especially when it comes to children’s fashion.  On the island lloya is the exclusive distributor of a good number of the brands it offers, some of which have a long-standing collaboration with the store, while others are recent favorites. Marie also enjoys meeting the designers, getting to know them, and soaking up the history of their brand and its universe.  Always eager for pleasant encounters, the two store managers never fail to give a warm welcome to all their customers who, finding themselves in such a unique environment, invariably linger and lose themselves in all this enchanting world has to offer. They receive plenty of advice and take the opportunity to engage in a pleasant conversation without ever feeling pressured into purchasing. And the formula seems to work: whether it be locals or holiday makers, 80% of the store’s clients are of loyal customers who regularly love to drop by to look for something different…  

♥ We love the timeless feel of the store, the pale, soft and refined décor which makes the colorful and poetic universe of the collections stand out in their slightly bohemian allure… providing an experience which promises to be full of surprises even in the fitting rooms, entirely made of bamboo!

Sales surface: 230 sq ft
Among the brands offered:
Ready-to-wear Des Petits Hauts, Ba&sh, Diega, Louise Misha, Emile Et Ida, Sacré Coeur, American Vintage, Absolut Cashmere, Karma Koma Swimwear and Lingerie La Nouvelle, Albertine
Decoration, accessories and children Bonjour Diary, Inspirations by la girafe, Bobo Choses, Fab Lab, Barnabé aime le café, Meri Meri, Rice, Quut, Hello Hossy, Olli Ella Men American Vintage, Absolut Cashmere Shoes Anthology Paris, Diadora, Salt Water Jewelry Une à une, Loveday day, Maison Monik, Inspirations by la girafe Beauty Minois, Manucurit, Inuwet, Mimitika Perfumes Parle Moi de Parfum
Number of stores 1 (Saint-Martin-de-Ré)

Online Store https://iloya.com/boutique