Filed under: Shop Talk

Suite Retreat

imageI’ve always fantasized about having a luxurious dressing room like Joan Crawford’s in Mommy Dearest. Something spacious enough (with no wire hangers in sight) where I can freely prance about in my silk robe, spritzing on perfume without bumping into any furniture. But because I live in a tiny New York City apartment, there’s only one alternative that will suffice: bunking out at Suite Orchard – a chic Lower East Side boutique with the same ritzy, boudoir-esque interior.

A shopper’s paradise for girls who refuse to fork over top dollar for dressy, designer gear typically found uptown, Suite Orchard offers the perfect compromise. Enter this laid-back shop and you’ll discover a whole suite of hipster clothing, jewelry and handbags not normally found in this hood. Run by Sonia and Cindy Huang, two trend-setting sisters who honed their skills at haute fashion houses like Diane Von Furstenberg and Stella McCartney, Suite Orchard was created to resemble the spacious, modern closet they’ve always been craving. Expect tons of mirrors (perfect for viewing your arse at every angle), candy-striped pink, white and grey walls, a plush Houndstooth-upholstered chair and the ultimate frivolity, a Hello Kitty rotary phone by the cash. As for the merch, rummage through muted, of-the-moment silhouettes ranging from Jovovich-Hawk (flirty ‘n feminine dresses), Sonia by Sonia Rykiel (high-waisted jeans), RN Convertibles (Rozae Nichols’ less pricey day-to-night pieces) and Loeffler Randall frocks, new for fall. Don’t forget to check out the slouchy, Bliss Lau handbags and Made You Look baubles adorned with skulls and crossbones. Also a must is the Huang sisters’ own debut label, Soni & Cindy, a girly assortment of blazers, skirts and pants infused with a rock ‘n roll edge. A friendly warning: with an atmosphere this endearing, Suite Orchard just might become your second home.

  • Suite Orchard
  • 145a Orchard Street (@ Rivington)
  • 212-533-4115
  • Tues.-Sun., 12-7; Thurs.-Sat, 12-8; closed Mondays
  • suiteorchard.com
  • $75-$1000
  • final sale on all items, exchange only
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Filed: Shop Talk

Closet Chameleon

imagePeek inside my packed New York closet and you’ll discover the true meaning of multiple personality disorder. On the top shelf sits a stack of trendy, off-the-shoulder tops, skinny jeans with studs and reconstructed vintage tees in a kaleidoscope of colors. The double-hanging metal rods directly beneath are reserved for business-y blazers, sequined gipsy skirts, frilly, French-cuffed blouses and fancy, floor-grazing dresses. So when it comes to buying accessories, I need a boutique that carries an equally eclectic selection of accoutrements to suit my many changing moods. Thankfully, I found Clarabella, a cozy store-cum-gallery space that sells a jaw-dropping assortment of handcrafted shoes, bags, belts, jewelry and even art.

Founded by Erin Whelan, a 30-year-old music industry marketing whiz who grew tiresome of the daily corporate grind, Clarabella has become the coveted accessories shrine she had always dreamt of creating. Named in honor of her Great-Grandmother, Clara, a serious shoe maven, Clarabella’s shelves are lined with a cherry-picked selection of edgy, hard-to-find brands including Tashkent by Cheyenne (killer leather kicks), Mariana (budget-conscious Brazilian shoes), Andrea Brueckner (Hamptons-inspired travel totes), Judith Haas (Gaudi-inspired gold-cuffed bracelets) and Crystalyn Kae (glaze-coated vegan handbags). In keeping with her artistic background, Whelan, promotes up-and-coming painters and photographers by displaying their artworks on the walls during ongoing, bi-monthly exhibits. You can also sign-up for on-site jewelry making classes led by Nicole Gagne of Leoworks, one of the dozens of talented designers whose baubles are sold at the space. Also be sure to RSVP for the regular rotation of trunk shows – a fun way to shop ’n schmooze with the designers themselves. And thanks to the boutique’s friendly vibe, inviting jazz tunes and informative descriptions detailing how each design was made, a visit to Clarabella will tempt you to stay the entire day.

Exclusive Fashion Junkie Deal Just for YOU! Clarabella is giving subscribers 20% off any items of your choice from Friday, July 20th through Friday, August 3rd. Present a printout of this email at the cash to redeem your discount. Happy shopping!

  • Clarabella
  • 279 East Houston Street (@ Clinton Street)
  • 212-979-0270
  • Tues-Sat, 12-8pm; Sun, 12-7pm; Closed Mondays
  • clarabellanyc.com
  • $10 (bangle) – $725 (leather traveler bag)
  • full refund within 30 days of purchase with store receipt, excluding shoes
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Filed: Shop Talk

Stocks & Frocks

Wall Street is suddenly rallying again… but not because of the stock market. In the last month alone, haute fashion houses like Hermés and Thomas Pink have popped-up on the southern tip of the city, bringing some much-needed flare back to the financial district. No longer a spot solely for discount electronics and tacky tourist tchotchkes like “I Love NY” tees, Wall Street has suddenly gone chic. And with another wave of retail big wigs moving in on the turf this fall including Gucci, Tiffany and Canali, why bother rummaging through racks at Century 21?  Cruise around the narrow, cobblestone streets and you’ll also find a smattering of ritzy, residential buildings. And with Whole Foods coming to the neighborhood soon, a slew of additional stores are expected to follow suit. Finally, some primo places for traders to blow their bonuses.


Tiffany & Co. Wall Street Mural


Thomas Pink, 63 Wall Street Sign


Thomas Pink, 63 Wall Street Entrance


Hermés, 15 Broad Street Entrance

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Filed: Shop Talk

Cocktail Couture

imageThe Orchard Street I remember as a tyke was jam-packed with vendors selling cheap shmattas like leather motorcycle jackets, nylon duffle bags and knock-off designer purses. Of course that was before I had any fashion sense and when my parents paid for my wardrobe. Now that I’m grown up and in command of everything hanging in my closet, I’ve become completely obsessed with a new breed of hipster clothing boutiques that has since popped-up on the block, including The Dressing Room – a trendy Lower East Side spot where I can shop, schmooze and sip martinis all under one roof, even after midnight.

Co-founder Nicole Fontanella (Cyndi Lauper’s former stylist) opened The Dressing Room earlier this month as a one-stop shopping destination with three diverse rooms including an indie clothing and accessories boutique, a thrift store and full-service bar/café that officially opens July 18th.  Peruse the first floor co-op for cutting-edge frocks from dozens of local designers like Paperdolls NYC (sweet baby doll cherry print dresses), New York Couture (Hanes underwear converted into micro minis), Voudoo (chic camis with lace trim) and Motormontenegro and Submission (funky button-leg jeans), each of whose wares are on display a four-month rotation, in order to make room for the next wave of talent. Should you find your head spinning from the overwhelming selection, try chilling out at the adjacent bar for a free movie screening and a Cosmo. Once you’ve recharged your batteries, venture downstairs to the clothing exchange for a first-rate collection of vintage and slightly-worn threads ranging from Fedoras, fringed leather bags, cocktail dresses to cowboy boots. In keeping with the hoods’ historic garment district vibe, the thrift store also doubles as a designers’ workshop complete with antique sewing machines and a cutting table, just like the ones used by old-world tailors like my Grandma Eva and Grandpa Yael.

  • The Dressing Room
  • 75a Orchard Street (between Broome and Grand)
  • 212-966-7330
  • Sunday-Wednesday, 1pm-12am; Thursday-Saturday, 1pm-2am
  • thedressingroomnyc.com
  • $28-$350 (designer coop); $4-$40 (clothing exchange)
  • clothing exchange items are final sale and coop items are exchange only within 5 days of purchase
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Filed: Shop Talk

VIP Treatment

imageArm-wrestling fellow fashion junkies over the last size zero DVF wrap dress isn’t my idea of a pleasurable shopping experience. So when I came across Caravan91, a chic, “appointment-only” clothing, accessory and lifestyle boutique, I immediately dialed the secret number to secure a private shopping slot.

Ideal for Prima Donnas who don’t have the strength to deal with the pushing and shoving that inevitably takes place at traditional chain stores, Caravan91 provides a stress-free, VIP shopping alternative. Since setting-up shop last spring, even downtown divas have been making the trek uptown for a taste of Caravan’s coveted star treatment. Why all the fuss? Aside from never having to wait in line for a fitting room, at Caravan91, you’ll have the entire space to yourself whilst slipping into an assortment of pre-selected designer outfits culled by their in-house team of expert stylists. With hands-on service similar to that of a Hollywood starlet, you won’t have to lift a finger… except when charging your credit card.

As for the quality of merch, Caravan91 carries a bevy of international brands your wardrobe is screaming for, like sizzling Custo Barcelona bikinis, luxe Carlos Falchi leather handbags, slinky Shoshanna trapeze dresses, casual Iso tanks to jaw-dropping Dirty Librarian Chain jewelry. Should you feel overwhelmed by the stunning selection, a sip of complimentary Moët should ease the tension. If you can’t land an in-demand Caravan91 appointment, don’t despair. You can catch a similar selection of wares on wheels, literally, inside Caravan Mobile, the familiar silver van that holds court around some of the city’s hottest zip codes. In fact, if you happen to be near the Meatpacking District this Saturday, make sure to stop by the retail mobile from 1pm-12am. Just look for the big truck stationed at 9th Avenue and 13th Street.

Visit shopcaravan.com for a complete list of Caravan Mobile pit stops, additional store locations and upcoming events.

Exclusive Fashion Junkie deal just for YOU! Receive a 20% discount on any regular priced Caravan91 merchandise of your choice when you present a copy of this email at the cash. Offer valid from Friday, June 29, 2007 through Friday, July 6, 2007. Happy shopping!

  • Caravan91
  • 128 East 91st Street (@ Lexington Ave.)
  • 212-722-7282 (ask for Jessica O’Neill)
  • 11-7 Mon.-Sun.
  • shopcaravan.com
  • $50-$600
  • within 7 days for store credit
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Filed: Shop Talk