It’s quite rare that I talk up shops I haven’t been to but seeing as I’m doing a hefty bit of travelling this year, I might as well put some mental shopping notes on the blog if not for your reading pleasure then for my own purpose. New York is calling out to me in an achy breaky way. What was supposed to be a spring trip has now been pushed back to fall due to jaunts around Europe (but I love walking on crunchy leaves in Central Park so all is well…).
This time round, I will venture beyond the safe(?) confines of Manhattan and of course head out to Brooklyn, an area which I believe went through the same ‘got cool’ pattern as Hoxton did a few years ago. For a ignorant Londoner comme moi, that of course doesn’t matter one bit because I’m after finds deemed interesting by me, not by the ‘cool crowd’. I can definitely tick the boutique Alter as one of my must-visit addresses.
Roy Caires and Tommy Cole, designers of label This Old Thing? opened Alter in Febrary 2007 which stocks a combination of their own label, Cheap Monday jeans, jewellery by local designer Fetty of Brooklyn (a more affordable version of Steven Trussell’s IOD me thinks…). Apart from the slightly ramshackle appearance of the interiors which I like, it’s really theThis Old Thing? clothes which I’m really in love with.
Roy and Tommy take vintage clothes found around Brooklyn and reconstruct them, much like the London-based label Junky Styling. Except I think This Old Thing? does it so that the clothes don’t look too ‘patched’ together and a little more coherent. And the prices are a dream to a strong British Pound laden gal like myself.
The dresses come off looking like they were constructed from new fabrics. I suppose it’s the making the old look new quality that I’m interested in.
I love the black cut out belted cardigan…. too bad it’s already sold!
In shameful girly mode, I also did squeal a bit when I saw the menswear as they all suit the boyf to a tee. The mis-matched checks, the tiered ties (Hintmag sell a cool selection). Again, clever reconstruction and an almost seamless pairing of different fabrics means nothing looks out of place or sync.
So Alter is the first on my under-the-radar NYC shopping hitlist that I will be compiling up until September. Sure, Opening Ceremony, Barneys, Screaming Mimi’s and all those obvious places will get a visit but it’s also the equivalent of me telling someone to just go to Topshop, Selfridges and Rellik in London and that’s obviously doesn’t do the city justice shopping wise. So, if you have any close-to-your-heart, secret shopping gems, please do whisper them to me via email or if you’re more brazen about it on comments.
that tie!
i guess youre not really a jeans person but The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is pretty great. Otte in Brooklyn. i went into Built by Wendy for the first time in forever and they had really cute stuff. Patricia Field for cheap funny stuff. Go to Kee’s candy for amazing chocolate. Tokyo 7! Jumelle in Brooklyn. I guess these are all pretty obvious and I live in NYC. but hey! i get the majority of my clothes off ebay so…anyways have fun traveling.
One of my favorite vintage stores in NYC has to be this store called Eleven on 11 Prince St. (?) It’s really cool – it has a lot of basics, adorable flowy sundresses, the coolest old leather bags, and then a more recent line of jewelry by one of the owners. It has a very bohemian, hippie style to it in my opinion, and although you do seem to like structured pieces too, I think you might just like it. It’s much smaller than Screaming Mimi’s and not AS funky, it’s more rustic – but check it out if you get the chance.
I know it sounds crazy to say this since I’m no athlete, but the Adidas Originals Store in Soho is so much fun, they open this huge garage door and you can sit on beach chairs and just relax while people-watching or eyeing your next purchase and they also throw parties in their store regularly, complete with a cool disco and surprisingly, very stylish people. You could always stop by if you’re in the mood to dance haha. Bye!
While you’re in Brooklyn you might also want to check out Butter. It carries designer stuff like Dries, etc, but apparently they have a well curated selection. There’s more info on it around the spot and it slips my mind here but if you’ve trekked all the way out there you may as well have a look!
Any chance you would post a list of your “must stop” shops in London for us foreigners who have major british style envy?
you should check out ‘seven’ on mercer street too; i haven’t been since they’ve changed locations, but they stock interesting labels.
weeeee! i’m so happy you wrote about alter and fetty of brooklyn! those are my boys and they are so very talented! the whole greenpoint/williamsburg area has great shopping for ladies like us, get ready!
I love the black cardigan!
Ooh, you’re going to NY susie? Come visit me!! Haha, just kidding. But um, yeah, I live in New York and the shopping is pretty good. I haven’t gotten around to going to all those cool little boutiques in Brooklyn and williamsburg and stuff, but I will soon. As soon as I scrape up some money ;( and oh yeah, seven on mercer street, as that other girl said, is pretty good. yeah.
I’m loving this post…..I like to look at cool stuff & fashion & shops…especially since I’m designing a real live shop myself…..funkoma vintage….I live vicariously thru you!
hi. you asked about any other stores in New York? you can scope out Nuhaven or retrodog. its all pretty dope.
and i was also wanting to ask if you’d like to visit Chicago. not only do i live there but the stores you’ll find amazing. i promise. if you ever do please go to Ragstop, (a reconstructed vintage type feel)Medusa’s circle, (obvious 80s couture shop.) jive monkey,and for accessories check out A OK.
alright bye!
Hm. Somewhat near Opening Ceremony is No. 6, a high-end vintage shop that sells a few beautiful reconstructed dresses. It’s at 6 Centre Market Street, almost next door to Built by Wendy. In NoLiTa, there’s a basement shop called I Heart on 262 Mott Street that helps me out when I miss shopping at Creatures of Comfort in LA; TG-170 at 170 Ludlow Street sells a lot of the same great designers.
Brooklyn: In Williamsburg, I’m very partial to the tiny In God We Trust, which is at 135 Wythe Avenue, across from a cute garden dining spot called Cafe 1980. In Park Slope, I love Bird, which is on 430 7th avenue.
Also, does Forever 21 exist in the UK; I’m sure Americans have alerted you to the importance of this designer-ripoff chain, so I’ll just repeat that it’s amazing for basics and should be visited.
Oh, and! If you’re looking for boy things, check out Bblessing at 181 Orchard St. on the Lower East Side. The guys who run it are awesome, play great music, and design their own line.
Pretty much strolling the length of Orchard Street, from Houston down to Canal (about a dozen blocks) is essential windowlicking territory! In addition to the aforementioned, j’adore Valley, Kaight, aNYthing (on Hester towards Essex), and Project 8, also just around the corner where Orchard ends, on Division.
http://www.valleynyc.com — inspired take on laid-back, California cool
http://www.kaightnyc.com — for the conscientously chic
http://www.anewyorkthing.com — to pick up something for the bf
http://www.projectno8.com — the cutting-edge from a global perspective and at all price points
Thanks so much for all the tips.
Regarding a shopping guide for London…. I’m planning a special project…more to come about that!
I’m a frequent reader and I’m so excited you’re coming to Brooklyn! You’re going to discover some fantastic new things. I second the recommendation to check out Bird (Mayle, etc.), they have locations in Park Slope and Boerum Hill. I also recommend checking out;
1) Red Hook, an up and coming area on the waterfront. There’s a jewelry store called Erie Basin…(walk along the beautiful pier while you’re there! There’s a good bakery, ‘Baked’ across the street, some great restaurants around (Good Fork, 360) No train goes here (uurgh)yet, just the bus or a water taxi (!).
2) DUMBO, the waterfront area between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Great spots are Redberi or (Blueberi?) and Loopy Mango (Bourne, Twinkle, etc.) on Front St. This neighborhood also has the most awesome pizza at Grimaldi’s and ice cream factory in the lighthouse on the pier there, and some sweet parks built right on the water between the bridges. A/C train to ‘High Street’.
Next I would recommend 3) Clinton Hill/ Fort Greene — Dekalb is awesome for restaurants between Cumberland and Vanderbilt Aves. There’s a beautiful new store called Stuart & Wright on Lafayette (APC, Lyell, Steven Alan etc.) in a former French Dry Cleaners spot. Great neighborhood for walking/strolling. Go to the eco-friendly/solar powered ‘Cafe Habana restaurant for a mojito outdoors while you’re here, for sure! A/C Train to ‘Lafayette’.
4) Williamsburg — Admittedly, super-discovered already, but, yes, worth a visit. Bedford is the main drag where you’ll find a sweet vintage spot called Amarcord, Jumelle is also a nice store there (Isabel Marant, etc) …people go to Beacon’s closet for vintage there too…Built by Wendy has a store here, and In God We Trust. Tons of good food in this neighborhood. L train to ‘Bedford’.
How’s THAT for a Brooklyn guide?! I may be biased but I think you could spend your whole trip in our borough. Enjoy!
Hi! While you are in NYC you should check out a street jewelry designer from Argentina, his name is Enrique Muthuan. He’s usually on Prince street by Mercer. He has great designs!
http://www.enriquemuthuan.com/
Enjoy the rest of your trip!!
Forever 21. Dont know if ur up for cheap designer-inspired apparel. I absolutely love it. Cheap as soup.
ABOUT THIS GUY ENRIQUE-DON’T BOTHER WITH HIME HE IS A PIECE OF SA JUNK ,KNOCKING OFF OTHERS’ CREATIVE IDEAS-HE RIPPED ME OFF BLIND COUPLE OF MY DESIGNS-DANA