FashionIndie » new york shopping

Annabelle’s One Year Anniversary

Stacey Cunningham — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:30:21 +0000

It’s Friday night in the LES and where better to pre-game for the night ahead than at a young designer’s party? We met with designer and storeowner Anna McCraney at Annabelle to celebrate the store’s one-year anniversary on Stanton Street. More after the jump!Between sips of wine, stepping over fellow party guests’ French bulldog puppies and ducking from the new Ben Woodward painting of pigeons we spoke with the designer herself. The winner of 2009′s reality TV competition, The Fashion Show, she was excited to tell us about her spring collection. “It’s all about color! We’re doing really well with the skeleton back tops. Everyone loves them because you can layer them over other things and it’s kind of sexy but covered up. It’s like business in the front party in the back.”

Other designers were on hand including Serene, the jewelry designer and fine artist of Leroy’s Place. Annabelle stocks her shrinkie-dink necklaces and we had to talk to the designer about the one around her neck. Entitled “Biggie Stardust,” it was a clever visual mash up of Biggie Smalls and David Bowie. “I hand paint each one individually and just started doing celebrity faces. I’m working on more mash ups but none of them quite have the panache as Biggie Stardust.”

Three East Village Shops with Coats to Die Faux

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:40:55 +0000

Inspired by Kate Lanphear lauding the East Village as her shopping stomping grounds, I plucked my bum up off the interwebs and hit the road. I dropped myself off on E. 9th Street and journeyed eastbound and up. What struck my fancy in a few stores in particular were the awesome caliber of faux fur jackets, which usually just strike me as faux pas. In case you don’t have a few thou to spend on a few animals’ worth of jacket, try these real life finds in these fantastic indie boutiques.

Faux isn't cheating if it looks this good. With a giant flapped collar, and silky inner cuffs to squeeze inside your gloves, this jacket is rad, and is only available in real life at the store.

This faux zips up the front like an oversized bomber. To give you a frame of reference, I'm 5'8", 6'1" with the shoes; this is a small and it's this long. Super cool.

Inside a sliver of a store, packed with terrific trinkets and bursting with good buys, sits a mustard faux jacket, reversible to reveal the nylon stripes beneath.

Boutique Critique:: Ava Maria: Look 4

Jessica Lapidos — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:56:40 +0000

Buckling under the weight of such beautiful objects, and body falling into a standing broken-down doll, this outfit may take you down the rabbit hole. This outfit is seeped in French history; several pieces have a long lineage in Paris. Sought out by store owner Katherine Virketiene, she’s brought into Ava Maria pour toi.

Look Four: AvaMaria in Wonderland

The Oil Slicker Saddle Heels: Repetto, $250

It started with the Repetto; this time, oil slicked. In the most beautiful way, it looks like a dirty puddle. It was love at first glance. Repetto is famous for ballet shoes, and construct gorgeous others for we non-professional-dancing folk.

The Mini Checker Shirtdress: Cacharel, $178

Ah the shirtdress, blue and gold checked, enhances the hidden hues of the Repettos. So dainty on its own, so innocent, yet vibrant as well. Cacharel took off in the 1960s with its iconic shirtdresses designed by Jean Bousquet. Following in the traditional footprints, they are still prevalent today.

The Kitty Silk Top: Paul & Joe Sister, $228

A shirtdress is a shirtdress, and I couldn’t wear just a shirtdress. I was jazzed to find this complementing silk top that slid underneath the open top so smoothly. The blues dance together and the checks on cats patterns don’t protest too much. Famed French menswear designer Sophie Albou started Paul & Joe in 1995 and branched into les femmes in 2006 with the little Sister.

The Waving Belt: Linea Pelle, $188

The gingham and the shirt came alive together, but the look was still lacking something. Linea Pelle belt corsetry filled that void. With the ends fastened at the back, the shaping quality of waving leather strips brought more shape to the silhouette.

The Flowering Rings: Marie-Lise Lachapelle, gold-plated leaf, $350, silver orchid $375

The silver and golden leafy rings flourished on one hand, enhancing the dual tonal quality of the entire look. Marie-Lise Lachapelle constructs these structures by making molds from actual orchids and leaves. That’s why the metal has so much wildlife in it.

AvaMaria | 107 Crosby Street, New York, NY 212.966.0909

Photography by Christopher Hall

Boutique Critique:: AvaMaria: Look 1

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:52:27 +0000

AvaMaria is tucked away along the cobblestones of Crosby St just So. of Ho. Inside you’ll find a load of Louboutins and Choos and DVF wraps next to relative unknowns that will soon circulate your wardrobe. Store owner, and former professional ballroom dancer, Katherine Virketiene’s buying philosophy lies in that when you buy something one season, you’re going to have it forever. Therefore, she doesn’t always scramble to get the very newest in Ava Maria, much of her energy goes to finding the best never-before-worn pieces from recent seasons past, and sells them a discount.

Look 1: See-Through Señorita

The Swishy Jumpsuit: Zimmerman, $360

Look One began with a washed silk jumpsuit. With a solid boned bodice, the heart shaped neckline hugs sturdily on the ribs. This allows the swishy washed silk to sway to the billowing harem whilst staying put on top. The pockets are deep and the ankles are stretchy; Australian duo Zimmerman has paid attention to the details.

The Recycled Net Top: Camilla Norrback, $188

This next piece came into play because of its netted quality that sees clear through to the jumpsuit. As playful as it is practical in the practice of layering, this shirt also happens to very conscious of the world around it. Swedish designer Camilla Norrback can claim eco-friendliness since 2002, and has made this top out of 100% recycled polyester.

The Orchid Statement: Marie-lise Lachapelle $375

Pinned to my hair is an orchid dipped in gold, the flower immortalized as jewelry, preserving its natural beauty. This piece originally sat as a necklace in the display, but with a thick, long curved bobby pin, it became a hairpiece rather simply. With an entrepreneurial sculptor father and high fashion model artist mother, Montreal native Marie-Lise Lachapelle captured the attention of her own celebrity clients with her stunningly delicate jewelry. She made the jump from styling to full time jewelry making in 2005.

The Mary Janes: Pedro Garcia, $180

Just about the only thing that could compliment the flower in my hair is Mary Jane. And this pair by Pedro Garcia elevates the look with a touch of demure formality. Hailing from the south of Spain, the brand breathes the Mediterranean Sea.

Read more about the store in our interview with AvaMaria owner Katherine Virketiene.

AvaMaria | 107 Crosby Street, New York, NY 212.966.0909

Photography by Christopher Hall

Boutique Critique:: Court: Look 3

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:12:58 +0000

There are infinite ways to wind up in Court, but you’ve got to be pretty smart to get out of there guilt-free. Thankfully store owners Lisa and Nicole have stocked the store with highly logical pieces. Including this multi-funktional five-way “skirt”, and a dress I bought from them a while back by Something Else that zips everywhere. Court is brimming with gems like these.

Now you have even more of a reason to go to Court: 15% off when you mention FashionIndie!

Look Three: Tassels in Space

The Convertible Skirt: Funktional, $120

There’s more to this skirt than meets the eye. I know you think it’s just a gorgeous splatter of galaxies morphed around a body, but it becomes so much more. There’s actually five ways to wear this piece! Created by economics major turned designer Jennifer Park, she knows how to maximize supply and demand and get the absolute most for your money. Check back tomorrow to see another way to wear it.

The Galactica Jacket: Funktional, $160

Part leather, part stretch, this jacket doesn’t just wear, it gives a hug. Plus with its super spacious pockets, there’s room to tote it all. The squared lapel falls in such a way that it lends itself to options.

The Silk Shirt: Mink Pink, $60 (originally $78)

Short in the front, long in the back, the weight and shape of this top falls lightly on the body. This brand from Australia has fine quality goods.

The Striped Wedges: 80/20, $118

Cork wedges get even further summerized with relaxed colored stripes on canvas. The inclination of the heel isn’t so high, but they’re tall enough to give a nice boost. Designer Ce Ce Chin draws her brainchild from the surf (she’s learning the art of surfing out on Far Rockaway) and Jeff Spicoli’s Mexican baja (Fast Times, man). These shoes yell city hippie dippy and I like it.

The One Ear Fringe: Dust & Bones, $68

Whoa, this is revolutionary. It’s an earring – just one. Long and fringed leather bundled onto a hook makes for an exotic look. The new visionary independent jewelry maker is Janell Jet. She makes it in several colors, but I was partial to the pale green. I paired it with the ivory leather hair corset on the other side – I like the mismatched balance.

The Leather Hair Corset: Court, $48

One of the owners of Court, Nicole Tondre, is responsible for putting these tie up leather binding hair pieces into our known market. They stem from Native American origins as the traditional way to tie hair. The leather wraps around the hair and it ties up like the top of a boot with a tightening bead at the end. As Nicole grew up around this influence, she’s always known about their existence. Though I don’t think any Native Americans had it in patent leather…

Courtshop.com

178 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-1022

My Vintage Fashion Christmas List From The New World Order

Amanda Gabriele — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:10:26 +0000

Any self-respecting, vintage-loving New York lady has been to The New World Order to browse the amazing collection of rare and elite merchandise housed there. Although every piece in the store is extraordinary, here is my Christmas wish list.

The New World Order is known for its remarkable window displays and meticulously styled mannequins.

Just in case any of you are wondering what to get me for Christmas, here are my favorite pieces from the store:

Balenciaga floral neoprene cropped jacket - $2,000

Vintage bat wing dip dye mink coat - $1,700

Archee black and gold cocktail dress - $980

Giorgio Armani large pendant necklace - $895

Sonia Rykiel clear belt bag - $465

Roberto Cavalli teal leather jacket - $700

George Halley light green dress - $1,200 | Louis Vuitton belt - $330

I’m also obsessed with this necklace – there is a ponytail hanging from it! You can visit The New World Order online here.

Sample Sale and Sales

Lauren Garroni — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:29:59 +0000

For you New Yorkers it’s that time of the year. No not summer, sample sale time. Where everything, for those of us who fit in samples sizes, becomes affordable. Here’s a roundup of all the sales starting today.

• Bring out your inner girly-girl on Betsey Johnson’s sample sale. Dresses are down to $87 (orig. $345), and tops are $55 (orig.$220). Through 6/26. Millennium Broadway Hotel, 145 W, 44th St., nr. Broadway, Seventh fl.; Wed.–Thurs. (10–7:30).

• The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thrift Shop got in a special shipment of Chanel blouses, dresses, jackets, skirts, and pants for you to scoop up today only. 1440 Third Ave., nr. 81st St. (212-535-1250); Wed. (10–5).

• Sandals, heels, and more, from Hollywould’s cruise collection are up to 80 percent off. Through 6/30. 198 Elizabeth St., nr. Prince St. (212-219-1905); Thurs.–Sat. (11:30–7); Sun. (noon–5).

• Society for Rational Dress, Diabless, Vivienne Westwood, and Morphine Generation are all 20 to 75 percent off at the Woodley & Bunny sale. 490 Driggs Ave., nr. N. 9th St. (718-218-6449); Daily (noon–8).

• With this three-day sale, you’ll only have to pay $5 to $60 for clothes from Soundgirl, or pay $40 to $60 for Shoes for Lovely People. Through 6/27. 1385 Broadway, nr. 37th St., Fifth fl. (212-730-0377); Daily (10–6:30).

• The Brian Reyes and Tashkent by Cheyenne sale starts today. Through 6/26. Tashkent Studios, 939 Eighth Ave., nr. 56th St., Ste. 501; Wed.–Thurs. (11–7).

• Elaine Turner handbags are up to 75 percent—off. The Eva Sand Dollar beach bag that was $150 now is $50, and python clutches that were $650 are only $195. Through 6/26. 320 Fifth Ave., at 32nd St., Ste. 1102. (212-239-8966).

• Score 30 percent off Vix swimwear by typing VIXDC30 at checkout. The Perry black suit with gold detailing that was $170 is now $119.

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