Achieving true St. Barth style requires finding pieces that reflect the island's soul rather than just shopping at global luxury labels. I have a strict rule when traveling: I don’t buy what I can find at home. You can find Dior and Vuitton in any major city, you come to St. Barth to find the things you can’t find anywhere else. On my last trip, I found that soul inside a modest, unpretentious blue building on the Rue du Bord de Mer in Gustavia. Inside Tawa B’Art, I discovered the sustainable craftsmanship and effortless elegance that truly defines the St. Barth style and aesthetic.
The Discovery: Beyond the Gustavia Logos
Inside Tawa B’Art, the vibe is pure tropical ease. The name itself is a clever little wink: Tawa comes from the Spanish name for the seed (la tagua), and B’Art is a nod to both "St. Barth" and the "Art" of the hand-carved pieces found inside.
The shop is bright, airy, and masterfully organized, a curated atelier that feels like an "insider secret." Unlike the high-pressure sales environments of the nearby luxury houses, the staff here is refreshingly hands-off. They let you wander, touch the hand-woven fibers, and explore the collections at your own pace.
The Backstory: From South America to St. Barths
Morgane pictured on the left; Tagua nut pictured in the middle
To understand the vibe of the shop, you have to understand the woman behind it. Designer Morgane Lemarié didn’t just wake up and decide to sell seeds. Morgane lived in South America for years, where she first developed a deep appreciation for raw, natural materials and artisanal hand-work. You can feel that earthy, grounded aesthetic in every display. While she designs the collections in her St. Barth atelier, the pieces are hand-carved by Ecuadorian artisans. It is a true cross-continental collaboration that brings the "slow fashion" of South America to the harbor of Gustavia.
The New Standard for St. Barth Jewelry: Tagua
For years, St. Barth jewelry was defined almost exclusively by leather and pearls. But the modern St. Barth style has shifted toward something more sustainable, vibrant, and, most importantly, wearable in the heat.
The centerpiece of Tawa B’Art is Tagua, also known as "Vegetable Ivory." It feels like animal ivory, but it's not. These are seeds from South American palms that are carved and polished to a high-luster finish. If you are looking to elevate your St. Barth style with unique jewelry, Tagua is a revelation:
- 100% Vegan & Eco-Friendly: These South American palm seeds have the exact density, weight, and smooth feel of animal ivory when dried, but they are entirely sustainable.
Did You Know...
Traditional jewelry mining is one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world. By choosing 'Vegetable Ivory,' you’re opting for a carbon-negative accessory, a piece of art that actually helps preserve the Ecuadorian rainforests where these palms grow.
- The Ultimate Slow Fashion: The seed actually starts out liquid and edible. It has to sit in the Caribbean sun for a quarter of a year just to harden enough to be carved like wood.
- A Wearable Fingerprint: Because it’s a natural seed, every single piece has its own unique vein and grain. No two necklaces are the same.
The Reality of Gold & Silver in the Heat
Unlike gold or silver jewelry that can feel like a conductor for the Caribbean heat, growing uncomfortably warm against the skin. Tagua is a temperature-neutral material. It remains cool to the touch even during a sun-drenched lunch at Shellona and doesn't tarnish in the salt air or cling to your skin when you sweat.
There is a gentle, organic 'clink' to Tagua beads that is much softer and more rhythmic than the harsh metallic sound of traditional jewelry. It’s a sound that mimics the swaying of the palms outside, an auditory reminder that you are on island time.
The Panama Hat: A Nod to Tradition
While everyone else is wearing mass-produced fedoras, I went for their Panama hats. They are a cool, contemporary nod to the old-school St. Barth tradition of weaving latanier (the local broom palm), particularly in the village of Corossol. Even though these are woven from Toquilla palm straw, they carry that same heritage craft vibe. Wearing it felt very "local" of me.
Between the Toquilla hat and the Tagua jewelry, I realized my entire outfit was essentially just various forms of palm trees. It’s a whole ecosystem on my body.
Integrating the Look: From Flamands to St. Jean
The hallmark of St. Barth style is versatility. Your accessories need to transition seamlessly from a morning on the sand to a high-end dinner. I integrated my Tawa B’Art finds, including earrings, a bracelet, and a hand-woven clutch, into my entire trip wardrobe. I paired them with everything from a simple local sundress to my Peserico white pants and a leather eyelet top from Rose’s Roses.
- The 2-for-1 Style Hack: I wore my Tawa B’Art woven hat to the beach at Flamands every morning. The genius detail? The accessory wrapped around the rim of the hat is actually a necklace. I simply unlooped it and wore it as jewelry for dinner later that night.
- The Permanent Souvenir: I'm particularly obsessed with the bracelet engraved with the island of St. Barth; it ensures I never truly leave the island behind.
- How to Perfect the St. Barth Aesthetic for Dinner: For my evenings at Nyama or my favorite "secret" dinner spot in St. Jean (featured on my St. Barth Google Map), I swapped my beach tote for a Tawa B’Art woven clutch. It felt more "insider" and sophisticated than carrying a standard designer logo bag.
Why Tawa B’Art is a St. Barth Style Essential
In a world of mass-produced luxury, Tawa B'Art offers a story. If you want to elevate your St. Barth wardrobe, skip the brands you already know. Go find the little blue building. You won’t just leave with a bag of accessories; you’ll leave with a piece of the island’s soul. Plus, by choosing Tagua over animal ivory, you’re essentially saving elephants and the rainforest while looking fabulous. You’re welcome.
- Location: Rue du Bord de Mer, Gustavia.
- The Must-Buys: The "necklace-hat" combo, anything Tagua, and the hand-woven evening clutches.
