It was a day trip to Shelter Island years ago that led Ana Gambuto to her future home. And it was a love for Shelter Island that inspired her to launch Shelter Isle, a loungewear brand consisting of tees, sweatshirts, and more.
It was a “little love note to our new home,” she described. Gambuto works with friend and designer Maria Piessis to make the graphics which are then printed or embroidered and sold in limited edition batches. Ten percent of the line’s profits go to the Shelter Island Alliance. Shelter Isle embraces the simple idea that clothing can be both beautiful and comfortable.
From lifestyle photographer to a loungewear designer, we caught up with Gambuto to learn more.
What inspired you to start Shelter Isle?
We’d loved Shelter Island for years, and had dreamt of summers with our kids playing in the safe sheltered waters here, but it took a few years to find our dream home. Once we were here, we realized we wanted to live here full time. We felt like we had found our place, and in fact our tag line for the brand is now, “Find Your Place.” Our excitement and love for Shelter Island inspired us to create this loungewear brand, as a little love note to our new home! We also give 10 percent of our profits to a local charity on the island called the Shelter Island Alliance, who works to support the restaurant and front-line worker population on the island simultaneously.
What brought you to Shelter Island?
Some dear friends of my husband live here, and we were smitten after years of visiting them here. Every time we boarded the ferry, we thought, “Ah, this is what it’s supposed to feel like” to be on vacation!
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to this point:
My pre-pandemic career has been as a lifestyle photographer, and it was a dream job. However with indoor shoots feeling unsafe last year and the weather turning cold, I wasn’t able to take pictures at all. This left space for the creativity and time I needed to begin this brand! I still use my skill set to photograph the products and lifestyle imagery for Shelter Isle.
Tell us about the materials used and the process of making your sweatshirts:
I create a vision and mood and color vibe for the collection first, inspired always by my beachy walks with my kids around the island. Then I work with my friend and designer Maria Piessis to make beautiful graphics, and then I have them printed or embroidered in limited edition batches.
What’s next for Shelter Isle?
I’m thrilled to announce that our spring collection drops May 15 on shelter-me.com! It’s beautiful, pastel-breezy and light-hearted. And if you’re into tie-dye, definitely stay tuned! Also – for the first time ever, we’re offering a kids’ and babies line! With two little ones of my own, I’m thrilled to begin offering children’s tees and sweatshirts, and onesies.
