The Buyers Eye... five questions for Jesse Turek!
by Mark Baigent
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Last year, after re-entering the wholesale market, I got to the office to see a nice order from my website come through. This order was partially a custom order placed by a person in New York City. As my team and I reached out to the customer,, we chatted about meeting up in NYC when I am there to present my Spring/Summer Collection SAPPHICA to my wholesale clients. As this was a B2B event, normally, private customers do not get access to preview a collection beforehand, but in this case, we made an exception ;)
This is how I met Jesse Turek.
Jesse told me about his plans to open a space in Easton and described his vision for a special space that should be a combination of a concept store & a place for him to work. Jesse works as an interior designer who has made a name for himself in the industry. His designs incorporate modern silhouettes and materials, broken up with vintage elements and artefacts. Since this season Jesse carries a large selection of my collection, and his eye for styling was what I noticed right away when he made the selection in NYC. I am very happy and honoured to be working with him, as we both think & work alike in many aspects of our life and business. A match made in NYC!
His shop, Fort & Arrow, has recently opened its doors, and I have been following the renovation process on Instagram. The step-by-step progress was impressive to follow, and I got a little glimpse of Jesse's creative mind at work. As our next addition to the series where I interview buyers, I want to share the insights Jesse has on his new location, why he chose my brand as the main feature of his boutique, and why he would be content in either Greece or the Hudson Valley!
1. You’ve built a reputation as an interior designer whose work resonates far beyond the spaces you design, often finding its way into the pages of major publications. What or who gave you the ideas to translate that vision into a physical retail space, and how does this new chapter expand or challenge your creative identity?
It didn’t come from one person but from a lot of little nudges: clients asking how to live inside our moodboards, editors wondering where a vignette could be bought, and makers whose work begged to be handled. Opening a shop felt like the natural next step, so people could touch the textiles, pick up the ceramics, and bring the same calm, handmade feeling into their homes.
Retail changes the work. Instead of designing a single room, you design a place people return to again and again. Lighting, product placement, and how things feel in your hands matter just as much as color and texture. It also means running stock, working with makers, and thinking about service, practical things that stretch your role from designer to curator-operator. Creatively, it’s clarifying. The limits of a shop force clearer choices: honest materials, a simple palette, and objects that improve with use.
2. Your Easton space brings together your studio and a shop in one place. How do those two sides influence each other in your daily work, and what does that setup let you do that a more traditional office or showroom wouldn’t?
Having the studio and shop under one roof makes everything feel alive and connected. The studio side lets us sketch, prototype, and try new ideas fast. The shop side lets us see how people actually interact with pieces, hear feedback, and test finishes and packaging in real life.
Because they’re together, we can iterate quickly, a tweak in the studio can be shown on the shop floor the same day. We can curate displays that reflect how items are made, tell the story behind pieces, and stage real-world vignettes that help customers imagine things in their homes. Compared with a separate office or a polished showroom, this setup feels more honest and flexible.
I can move from concept to product faster, and spot practical issues early (durability, scale, user behavior). While building genuine relationships with locals who visit and give me feedback. Also I can experiment with limited runs, custom pieces, and live demos & events.
Having the studio and shop under one roof makes everything feel alive and connected. The studio side lets us sketch, prototype, and try new ideas fast. The shop side lets us see how people actually interact with pieces, hear feedback, and test finishes and packaging in real life.
Because they’re together, we can iterate quickly, a tweak in the studio can be shown on the shop floor the same day. We can curate displays that reflect how items are made, tell the story behind pieces, and stage real-world vignettes that help customers imagine things in their homes. Compared with a separate office or a polished showroom, this setup feels more honest and flexible.
I can move from concept to product faster, and spot practical issues early (durability, scale, user behavior). While building genuine relationships with locals who visit and give me feedback. Also I can experiment with limited runs, custom pieces, and live demos & events.
SHOP AT FORT & ARROW!
3. Tell me about Easton, I have never been or even heard about that place, but apparently I need to? What makes it special? Why did you choose to open your space there?
Easton is a small, friendly town where 2 rivers and a creek converge - The Delaware, the Lehigh River, and Bushkill Creek. I've always had this thing with flowing water, the energy and sound it creates. Converging rivers are always good luck, too. It tends to be a happy place with a real walkable downtown, old brick buildings, and a relaxed, creative energy. It’s the kind of place where people slow down, care about craft, and like to shop local.
What makes it special is the historic, charming main street with independent shops, cafes, and galleries which creates a strong local community that values makers and small businesses.
What makes it special is the historic, charming main street with independent shops, cafes, and galleries which creates a strong local community that values makers and small businesses.
On top of that there is a mix of year-round residents and weekend visitors, good foot traffic without the rush of a big city. The beautiful nearby countryside and waterways set a calm, inspiring tone while still positioned very close to NYC and Philadelphia.
I opened my space here first and foremost because of a community that supports craft.
The affordable, character-filled space let us create a studio + shop with real personality and made is less challenging to experiment with new things, get feedback, and build relationships in person. This slower pace fits our process: thoughtful design, small runs, and hands-on work.
I would say Easton gives us the right mix of people, place, and pace to do honest work and share it in a way a big city showroom wouldn’t. Being smack dab in between NYC and Philadelphia is a huge plus as well.
4. I am very honoured for my work to be featured so broadly in your space, how do my designs fit into your vision? Do my brand's values align with your vision, or was it something else?
We’re honored to show your work. Your garments fit our vision because they share the same priorities we care about: honest materials, thoughtful details, and quiet utility. That core craftsmanship and restraint match the aesthetic we build in our space. I also love fashion and shades of black. Fashion was always my first love, and I thought I would become a fashion designer, but life steered me in a different direction, which I’m totally happy about!
Also, your brand values line up with ours: made-with-care, durable, and designed to be worn anywhere and not too fussy. Beyond the values, your work complements what we already carry by adding new textures and stories, and gives customers more real choices. Mostly, it was both values and fit. We look for things that feel like they belong together on the shelf and in the home, things people can live with and wear. Your designs and customers notice
5. With the last question, I always want to ask something non-fashion related, if you had to choose one place to live for the rest of your life and one cuisine. What would it be and why?
Hmm. I’m not sure, maybe a small village in Greece? Quiet streets, close to water, good for walking and making things. It’s slow, grounded, and keeps life simple.
Cuisine: Mediterranean! Fresh, seasonal, lots of vegetables, olive oil, grilled fish. Honest, flavorful, and easy to share. But I also adore the Hudson Valley in NY or the Catskills area. I feel like I would need to be close to a city, especially NYC, for it’s fashion and it’s endless offerings of design and fashion. But honestly, I could probably be content anywhere, since I’m pretty self-motivated and can find my tribe no matter where I am on earth. Staying grounded and true to my passions and what motivates me is the key, and only living life for myself is what matters most to me.
Photos: Taken from Fort&Arrow Instagram page
Photos: Taken from Fort&Arrow Instagram page
