Boutique Critique
TrendSpark: Mastiha are the New Pomegranates
Remember when pomegranates first hit the street. Within a few weeks you couldn’t escape them. Pomegranate tea, pomegranate cocktails, Pomegranate flavored condoms. Everywhere you looked the antioxidant was attached. Well now a new antioxidant has hit the streets of Manhattan, but this time it’s ready with a slew of products set for you consumption and a perfect little boutique where you can find it all. Mastiha is an all natural health goody that’s an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial resin which is only found on the Greek Island of Chios. It’s harvested from the sap of evergreen bushes and can only be found at Mastihashop (145 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10079).
In use for over 2,500 years the sap has been claimed to freshen breath, fight plaque and gingivitis, heal and regenerate skin, relieve ulcers, ease digestion and strengthen hair and nails. Oh snap, I think pomegranate just got bitch slapped.
The shop, headed by sisters Kalliopi and Artemis Kohas who grew up with Mastiha as a staple, carries a wide range of beauty products and other goodies featuring the sap including some very covettable chocolate-covered pistachio bonbons.
Mastihashop
145 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10079 map
tel. 1 212 253 0895
Popularity: 2% [?]
“Sex and the City” West Coast Soiree
Hautelook and Decadestwo have joined together to host the official “Sex And The City” West Coast Soirée. The celebration is taking place Wednesday, May 21st at the Decadestwo boutique (8214 Melrose Ave). The party celebrates the opening of the movie and will offer an opportunity for fashionable guests to sip cosmos, strike a pose in a recreation of Carrie’s bedroom, and shop vintage finds from Decadestwo.
The party is a pre-curser to the “Sex And the City” Sale on Hautelook, which will take place online May 22nd. The sale is the perfect way for women everywhere to get a taste of “Sex and the City” anywhere in the US, whether or not they are guests at the event.
Items available include: vintage Chanel handbags, Fendi handbags, Oscar De La Renta gowns, and Manolo Blahniks – think Carrie’s closet on sale!!
Popularity: 2% [?]
Launching Summer 08 in Style
BR Concept & Style Me NYC.com invite you to celebrate the launch of Summer 08 in Fashion with a night of shopping, networking and entertainment:
Date: Tuesday, May 20th
Time: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
Location: BR Concept, 158 Wooster St. SoHo NYC, at the corner of Houston & Wooster.
The Goods: Among the high end brands featured will be IODICE, GLAM New York, and Rosa Cha. We’ll donate 20% of sales to the Gabarron Foundation for their mission and work towards supporting Latino Artists and Designers. Beverage open bar courtesy of Cabana Cachaca (www.cabanacachaca.com)
RSVP: By Monday, May 19th to 212-673-6600 or rsvp@stylemenyc.com
Popularity: 2% [?]
Sheila Frank Now Available at Topstitch
One of our fave designers, and total sweetheart, Sheila Frank, is now selling her amazing collection of swimwear at Topstitch in Philly. But don’t fret, if you can’t get to PA, the collection is also available online at Sheila Frank.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Leffot, Luxury Hits Christopher
The opening of Leffot should have all men running, being one of the only high end men’s shoe stores around. Owner Steven Taffel hand picks his shoes and offers an array of designers not seen on this side of the world, including Aubercy and Gaziano & Girling. You can also customize your own, now that’s something not many shoe stores offer!
According to Urban Daddy, “this store has a formidable purpose—it aims to be your one-stop shop for some of the world’s best men’s shoes, side by side, all in one place (shown above) and at your disposal.”
Leffot, 10 Christopher St (between Gay St and Greenwich Ave), 212-989-4577
Popularity: 2% [?]
Hong Kong Phooey
Will they have the Hong Kong Sars masks? If we’re lucky, yes!!!
Hong Kong’s finest take up residence in NY for a full month to showcase some of Japan’s finest indie designers. Made in HK is a pop-up shop which will feature accessories, fashion, paper goods, and cultural ephemera which will make you feel like you just took a tip to land of the rising sun (of is that China).
These pop-shops are springing like daisy’s lately, which will probably be due to companies like (multiple choice). They are running the HK spot but plan to launch different projects which will take on different forms. The guerilla-retailer will be one not to miss so shop early and enjoy.
Opening Party Tonight 6-8PM
Open to the public Friday - May 31st 12:30-7PM
181 Lafayette Street, b/t Broome & Grand St
Popularity: 1% [?]
Assembly Required
There’s a lot to discover if you know where to look. Or even if you know someone who knows where to look…
Welcome to Assembly New York, a collection of vintage finds and international gear, now quietly open on the Lower East Side.
The hole-in-the-wall location may have a familiar LES boutique look, but the contents are far from common. They don’t separate out the vintage from the new, so the best tactic is to dive right in. The labels are mostly foreign, like the Danish Henrik Vibskov who contributes a few bright green raincoats, so you won’t run into anything too familiar. They even find room for L.A. gray-scalers Endovenera, if you don’t mind a little pacific flavor, alongside vintage wingtips and knit silk ties to indulge your historical streak.
But the real finds aren’t on the racks. Peek under the glass display cases and you’ll find a whole other store’s worth of antique trinkets, like a ram-shaped bolo tie or a set of treated brass shoehorns dating back to the Gangs of New York era. There’s even a vinyl section in the back (skewed towards 60s prog) for a more musical discovery, and a selection of heavy metal t-shirts for your perusal.
Because Iron Maiden never goes out of style.
Assembly New York, 174 Ludlow (between Houston and Stanton), 212-253-5393
Content source UrbanDaddy.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Rick Owens Sets Up Shop in New York
WWD reports that “Rick Owens is setting up shop in New York. The Paris-based designer, who originates from Los Angeles, is busy decorating his first Stateside store…” The store will open in August and will feature “an aquariumlike wall installation that contains circulating fog”, which seems cool, but may be just some weird smoke machine contraption when it’s all said and done. The shop will be on the corner of Dominick and Hudson in TriBeCa.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Designer Discovery; Ananas
After four years in Tokyo, designer Jennifer Baum Lagdameo found herself living in the Philippines, where she was inspired by the local traditional textile techniques and the indigenous materials.
Ananas started from a small collection of abaca (eco friendly natural fiber) handbags and developed into a retro-chic collection of both leather and abaca that maintains the natural vibe by utilizing organic materials from the Philippines such as coconut shells, mother-of-pearl shells and polished native woods. As Ananas continues to evolve, Lagdameo is continuously experimenting and designing with new textiles and materials creating unique products unlike anything else on the market. Ananas handbags are all handmade in New York City. For each bag sold, a tree is planted by “Trees for the Future”
Ananas is available at cocosshoppe.
Popularity: 2% [?]
The Top Ten New Store Openings
Even in today’s weekend economy, retails spots are popping up like pimples on a greasy teenagers forehead. Ten new store openings from major brands like Alexander McQueen, Steven Alan and John Varvatos are making it seem like it’s okay to spend again. NYTimes The Moment’s retail lover, Christene Barberich, compiled a nifty field guide to some of the most notable openings. So get out your wallets and get ready to spend indies. If you’ve got the cash monies head to everyone (it will require a flight to LA, San Fran, and Paris) and drop some doughskies, but call me up first (cause I could totally be your shopping bitch).
Alexander McQueen Los Angeles
The Brit provocateur Alexander McQueen recently made his L.A. debut, joining Marc Jacobs on Melrose. A soaring stainless steel deity — “Angel of the Americas” sculptured by Robert Bryce Muir — is suspended in the storefront to greet guests. [via La Times and WDD]
8379 Melrose Avenue, 323-782-4983; Alexander McQueen.
Steven Alan (men’s and women’s wear) Los Angeles
His roots are in New york, but Steven Alan recently proved his street-chic mini-frocks and outerwear are L.A. compatible when he opened two new outposts. The Westward expansion continues with another Steven Alan shop set to open in Venice next month. [via Refinery29]
West Hollywood: 638 North Robertson Blvd; 310-854-1814.
Brentwood: 11677 San Vicente Blvd, number 111; 310-820-4700; Steven Alan.
Jan & Äya (home and accessories) Brooklyn
The newly opened Jan & Äya offers more proof that Brooklyn’s Greenpoint is in a state of metropolitan takeover. The ethereal white nook opened by a Swiss-born couple is a finely curated assortment of treasures, from tea towels to quirky handmade artworks. [via DailyCandy]
99 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, 718-609-1404; Janandaya.
Thistle & Clover (women’s wear) Brooklyn
Fort Greene’s fashion crowd can now get a quick fix — and a spot of coffee — at Thistle & Clover. St. Kilda’s diamond star stud earrings are a steal at $198. [via Clinton Hill blog]
221 DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn; 718-855-5577; Thistle & Clover.
(Piera Gelardi)
Acne, (men’s and women’s wear) New York and Paris
Acne’s creative director Jonny Johansson has brought his sleek Swede styles to an airy shop on Greene Street and Paris’s Jardin du Palais Royal, opening nearly simultaneously. [via Style and Vogue (UK)]
10 Greene Street, New York. 212-625-2828
124 Galerie Valois 75001 Paris. 011 33 01 42 60 16 62; Acne Jeans.
Jerome Dreyfuss (accessories) Paris
Somehow, Jerome Dreyfuss makes “status” bags that aren’t obnoxious. In his new Paris boutique, devotees will want to take hold of his oversized Diego sac (about $700) or his party-perfect Jean clutch (about $450). [via Refinery29]
1, Rue Jacob 75006 Paris. 011 33 01 4354 7093; Jerome Dreyfuss.
Dunderdon (men’s wear, women’s wear, accessories) New York
The Swedish invasion continues with the arrival of Dunderdon, an A.P.C.-esque line of men’s shirts, jackets and trim trousers founded by a carpenter and naturally inspired by traditional Scandinavian workwear. [via Glam]
25 Howard Street, 212-226-4040; Dunderdon.
John Varvatos (men’s wear) New York
With the opening of John Varvatos in the old CBGB space, guys can shop for sport coats and suits amid the ghosts of the New York Dolls and the Ramones. (Varvatos preserved the old posters and grafitti on the walls.) [via FashionIndie and Forbes]
315 Bowery, 212-358-0315; John Varvatos.
Acrimony (women’s wear) San Francisco
Hayes Valley lives up to its rep for hosting the city’s most intriguing new boutiques with the arrival of Acrimony, a chandelier-and-pale-wood-clad one-stop shop for emerging labels, including April 77 and Common Projects. [via Refinery29]
515 Gough Street, San Francisco. 415-861-1025; Acrimony
Den (men’s wear) New York
The pop-up emporium Den has given the German men’s-wear designer Robert Geller a new home, literally. The tiny space, which opened on Monday, features a wood-beamed “house” to frame Geller’s sharp neutral separates. Stay tuned for New York-based Common Projects to take over the rotating boutique this summer.
330 East 11th Street, 212-475-0079; Den.
Popularity: 3% [?]
John Varvatos Opens on the Bowery
John Varvatos opened his new boutique at 315 Bowery this weekend — the former address of New York’s CBGB. According to Varvatos, who took MTV News on a tour of his latest store, the club’s original walls — punched-in holes, cracked paint and all — went untouched, as did the antiquated ventilation system that runs throughout the space.
It remains, along with the graffiti and band stickers, some of them hanging by a strand of glue. The staircase leading to what once were the club’s restrooms, which have now been converted into storage space, is still covered in marker and stickers.
John’s love of music and rockstars allowed him to have a heart in preserving this monument to the 80’s wave of punk that once dominated New York. We’re excited about his promise of monthly bands and his must have spring collection.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Boutique Critique: Alexander McQeen Los Angeles
Alexander McQueen knows how to make/stage an entrance. Meet ‘Angel of the Americas’, an anatomically correct Silver Surfer, sculpted by Robert Bryce Muir, that greets guest from above the floor of McQueen’s new LA haunt.
“L.A., like London, has so many art collectors and I wanted to give a focal point to the store,” McQueen told WWD. “I was also inspired by the Jesus Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro. Los Angeles is the City of Angels and I wanted something to reflect that.”
The 3,100-square-foot space is sleek and futuristic — architect William Russell’s signature — with a curved exterior facade and few straight lines inside. Hand-smoothed white plaster walls arch into cathedral-like vaulted ceilings, and clothing racks and display cases hanging from the ceiling give an ethereal floating effect to the fixtures.
Huge curved glass doors and curved windows bring a soft natural light into the space, which features muted tones and floors of gray terrazzo marble inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Two bonsai trees that partly shield the windows are among the landscaping touches inspired by McQueen’s Buddhist beliefs. The store’s cash registers, speakers and ventilation are hidden.
The store is a real gem and will undoubtingly shine as long as certain celebutards stay out. McQueen has already made it clear that there are certain folks he’d prefer to not enter his store like Paris Hilton. “If she comes past the shop, hopefully she’ll just keep walking…I don’t really covet that sort of thing.” - Alexander McQueen in the LA Times.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Bags.. Bags.. and More Bags!
We recently discovered Handbaggers.com … the perfect site for handbag fanatics!
This site works in many ways with one intention: to create a community for handbag lovers!
You can submit, write, and vote on your favorite bag.. or search for a bag that suits your style and personality. Handbaggers.com allows you to check out the details about the bag and find a place to buy it.. fabulous!
Definitely check out this site.
Popularity: 2% [?]