Inner View with Morgan Roe and Guy Thyer

It was a gloriously sunny day in March.  We were shooting photos at a magnificent and generously loaned to us, from the kindest humans, a houseboat on Lake Union with the genius photographer and our dear friend, Dorothee Brand.  Our models that day were two of our favorite people in the world, Morgan Roe and Guy Thyer.  They also happen to be a real-life couple and Guy, the real-life son of our owner and designer Jane Hedreen (you might remember him from catalogues of yore).  There was brilliant alchemy to the day: the weather, the location, the products, the people...but, mostly, the people. We had so much fun on set thanks to Morgan and Guy's open-heartedness, relaxed energy, and marvelous humor.  We couldn't be more excited about the photos and thank our 'Houseboat Love' couple for making it such a beautiful endeavor.  We invited them to be a part of our Inner-View series and, of course, had to add some bonus questions about their experience on the shoot and what it was like to be our 'model couple'. 

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF:

Morgan: I would say heart-ful, volatile, punctual
(I struggled with this one!) 

Guy: Serious, playful, aspiring-towards-sincerity

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU.  WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

Morgan: Usually in kindness people show to each other. When I see that in the classroom my heart explodes. (Morgan is a high school history teacher).

Guy: I think any beings who embody the human capacity to be compassionate, realistic, wise, genuinely generous, patient, endure suffering, diligent, disciplined, appreciative, humble, etc. inspire me and give me hope.

WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Morgan: My morning Nespresso (I could live without it but I’d rather not) + Guy

Guy: Time to relax/rest and time to think.

 WHEN ARE YOU MOST IN BALANCE?

Morgan: I think chatting with people that I love. Particularly in settings when folks are being open with one another!

Guy: In between all my neuroses, efforts and busyness!

HOW HAS YOUR TIME IN QUARANTINE BEEN?  THOUGHTS?  DISCOVERIES?

Morgan: It’s been really a trip! There’s been a lot of moments of blissful space but being a teacher (as the pandemic continued in the fall) has made it an ongoing challenge at times. Overall I feel really lucky. 

Guy: Overall very fortunate. I’ve had a great partner/buddy/spirit friend (also now a SUPER model) that I live with and another dear pal that spent awhile with us. None of my family or close friends have been too intensely affected by COVID and I know that hasn’t been everyone’s experience of this period. Discoveries: I miss talking to strangers throughout the day!

Guy in 2002 on a flora and henri photo shoot, and Guy in 2021

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Morgan: Oh right now.... perhaps Normandy or Vietnam for a history tour. Maybe the Appalachian Trail.

Guy: Probably Bhutan or Nepal.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM IN OUR STORE?

Morgan: have to say I do love the cards they curate...BUT in terms of clothing I’ve put in a special request for the Injiri Skirt :)

Guy: I like the puffy parka my mom gave me for Christmas. Very cozy.

YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE?

Morgan: Probably doing what I’m doing now but will be better at it (if my trajectory goes the right direction).

Guy: Perplexed as to what my answers to these questions truly are!

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE THE REAL LIFE COUPLE IN "HOUSEBOAT, A LOVE STORY"?

Guy: It was fun. Neither of us are accustomed to being super models, so we enjoyed pretending. Morgan was more of a natural, she was just so generous with the camera, whereas I struggled to find a non-awkward way of looking into the distance. With the help of our marvelous photographer and guide Dorothee and our coaches and chief supporters Jane and Amy we were able to find the spirit of the day!

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH YOUR MOM/SPIRIT MOM-FRIEND FOR THIS PROJECT?

Morgan: Jane’s a wizard, so… magical. I personally feel very comfortable with Jane and Amy, and I appreciate that they were styling me and I wasn’t styling myself.

Guy: It was great. Having worked with my mother and won many covers as a young lad I felt right back in place being styled and guided by my mom. Amy is a true friend and awesome human so it’s always fun to hangout in any way with her!

WHAT IS FLORA AND HENRI IN YOUR LIVES?

Guy: It’s been a way to connect with the clothes we wear and also the relationships that my mom has forged through her business. Knowing that Jane, Amy, Christopher, Alyson, Angele, Uli and so many other sweet sweet beings played a part in whatever we might be wearing, cooking with, reading, writing on, or giving as a gift is a unique feeling in a world where we often can’t connect with the other-side of our purchase. It is also a level of stylishness and glorious aesthetic brilliance that we aspire to in our lives but might never match… :)