At Vata, a new boutique in the heart of Sewickley, you’ll find clothing and decor you’re unlikely to find elsewhere in the Pittsburgh area. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
Sustainable, Perennial, and Natural Fashion at Vata in Sewickley
The Sewickley boutique, a collaboration between interior designer Molly Watson and Alma Mercantile owner Carrie Laing, stocks apparel, handcrafted goods and vintage finds meant to make statements — and to last.
“We try to focus on brands that keep sustainability and humane conditions in mind while designing and producing,” says Watson, who selects goods during biannual trips to Manhattan and other travels around the world. “We like natural materials; I don’t think we have any synthetic materials” in the shop, she adds.
A trip to Vata, then, represents many shoppers’ only chance to try on these pieces — not just in the area, but in any storefront. “You wouldn’t find any of these in a mall,” Laing says. “Some of these designers don’t even have retail — so you can’t go in and touch their clothing.”
For Laing and Watson, it’s not just about exclusivity or rare finds; it’s an ethical effort to push fashion away from disposable, low-quality goods. “This is very much about supporting communities — the manufacturing behind keeping things small,” Laing says, noting that the ethos is “anti-fast fashion.”
There’s a clear benefit to the buyer from that ethos, she adds: These are clothes and goods that will last. “Some of the smaller brands like Shaina Mote and Wol Hide — they don’t really design seasonally or with trends … You can buy pieces and add to your collection, and they’re things that will last a long time.”
Visit Vata for Joy-Forward Decor and Vintage Finds
In addition to clothing and accessories, Watson searches for statement pieces that add personality to home decor. The aim, she says, is to focus on joy.
“My passion around design is not so much how fancy it is or what it costs — or necessarily the beauty, because everybody has their own version of [beauty]. But what makes you happy? What in your space brings you the energy that you’re hoping to exist in?”
The energy in the shop itself, which Watson and Laing completely remodeled, is excellent — fitting for a space named for the Ayurvedic dosha vata, which represents wind (and is closely associated with creative energy). Thanks to a small sitting area near the register, you’ll enter looking to browse — but find yourself wanting to sit down and relax. “When Carrie and I started talking about what we wanted this to feel like, [we settled on] a mix of your home and your closet,” Watson explains. The pair worked with Construction Junction on a ceiling-to-floor reimagining of the space, including the removal of a drop ceiling and aging carpet.
“I find, in Sewickley, a lot of people are coming from New York, Chicago, L.A. — and they’re used to these types of boutiques,” Watson says. “They have access to them, and then they move here. They love the small town. Everybody loves it here. It’s great, but I think we can add something to the greatness.”
Vata can be found at 350 Beaver Street in Sewickley; it’s open 10-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 11-3 p.m. on Sundays.
Find more local boutiques and brands on our guide to Pittsburgh retailers.
About the Author and Photographer
Sean Collier is the editor-in-chief of Shady Ave and the arts and culture editor of TABLE Magazine. Before joining the TABLE Media team, he spent nearly 15 years as a writer, editor and columnist at Pittsburgh Magazine. As the in-house film critic for the top-rated WDVE Morning Show since 2009, he’s been Pittsburgh’s most widely heard voice on movies for nearly two decades. A Pittsburgh native, Sean has since 2020 appeared weekly on KDKA-TV’s popular Pittsburgh Today Live talk show. He’s the co-founder of Vigilance Theater Group and an active stand-up comedian and event host. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter at @seancollierpgh.
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