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What is the Boutique of the Week?

With a belief that everyone can use a little retail therapy, The Boutique of the Week helps guide you away from the New York City chains and expensive designers and directly to the most unique and affordable boutiques in the city. 

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Entries in Eco-friendly (5)

Tuesday
Jan052010

5 in 1

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Location - 60 North 6th St (between Kent and Wythe Avenues)

This off the beaten path boutique is home to a hybrid studio-store with a design studio in the back and local fashion and jewelry commerce in the storefront entrance. The space is raw with well-worn wooden floors and stacks of vintage decor making it a comforting and unique place to shop.  The seven fashion and jewelry designers featured in the boutique staff it themselves, giving you the unique opportunity to shop with the designer present.

Everything from comfortable cashmere sweaters, form-fitting jackets, silk dresses, unique jewelry, scarves, tote bags, and even a small mens section can be found.  Jackets and coats range from $300-$450, dresses from $140-$300, tops from $40-$100, and jewelry from $50-$250+.

The Brooklyn-based designers include A Peace Treaty, Costalots, Covet, Dirty Librarian Chains, H Fredriksson, ROUND, and Uluru, and are all dedicated to sustainability and distinctive in vision.  Focusing on the skilled craftsmanship of particular regional artisans, A Peace Treaty's hand-loomed cashmere and cotton scarves are beautifully made in bright and fun colors. Costalots's sunglasses are made from materials originally intended for safety eyewear, but are transformed into sunglasses in a variety of tinted shades from grey and rose to brown and smoke. Achieving balance between sustainability and fashion, Covet consists of light and airy organic fabrics in feminine cuts with special button details and pockets. Dirty Librarian Chains is a jewelry collection of elegantly draped, twisted, and re-worked vintage pieces in edgy, asymmetrical designs. H Fredriksson's fondness for nature and prints are evident in her elegant pieces that unite her abstracted nature photographs with fashion. Mixing masculine and feminine forms, the ROUND collection combines delicate metals with heavy textures in uniquely wearable jewelry. And the Uluru fashion line pays much attention to silhouette and adds sculptural qualities to feminine classics.

Due to the designers staffing the boutique themselves, 5 in 1 storefront boutique is only open Friday-Sunday, but the unique and locally-designed pieces are worth the visit.

UPDATE: 5 in 1 has CLOSED

DateTuesday, January 5, 2010 at 11:30AM | CommentPost a Comment |
Wednesday
Nov182009

Kaight

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Location - 83 Orchard Street (Between Broome St & Grand St)

Organic and sustainable fashion and accessories are displayed in this airy sun-drenched boutique.  Kaight has been home to Eco-friendly fabrics and independent designers for over three years and continues to stock fresh labels with modern designs in both casual and upscale pieces.

An entire center table is devoted to organic, recycled, and sustainable accessories including shoes, jewelry, handbags, tights, hats, scarves, and hats.  Wonderful velvet oxford shoes from Melissa are made from 100% recycled plastic and come a deep purple ($99).  Matt & Nat bags in bright pinks, blacks, and browns ($150-$300) are displayed with Sirius Lux's unique crocheted necklaces made from vintage copper chains ($65-$85).

Casual knits and sweaters from organic staples Prairie Underground and Loomstate mix with high-end dresses and coats from dreamandawake and Fin Oslo.  A wide variety of designs and cuts can be found, including a 100% slouchy cowl-neck sweater ($205), re-purposed vintage fabric printed dress ($150), and a perfect pocket long-sleeve tee ($58).

Every week Kaight highlights one of their designers and offers a promotional discount - keep an eye out for the announcements on their blog: http://kaightnyc.blogspot.com/.

DateWednesday, November 18, 2009 at 10:44PM | CommentPost a Comment |
Monday
Jul202009

Lingo

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Location - 257 W. 19th Street (near 8th Ave)

This edgy boutique in Chelsea will soon become a favorite with urban, handmade, and eco-friendly clothes - you'll definitely keep coming back to check out the large selection of "wearable art."

Such interesting pieces can be found as an origami-structured suits or basic knitwear with unexpected details.  Lingo has pieces that allow anyone to show a little personality edge without standing too far out in the crowd.  With brands such as Prairie Underground (great organic sweat shirts), Butter dresses, Nature vs. Nurture, Kelly Lane, and Filly, you are sure to find something quirky and unique.  The owner Shin Yee Man knows how to choose clothes that are accessible enough for everyone, but have a one-of-a-kind, handmade quality that makes them more personal.  A favorite is Cinderloop's grey draped tunic with uncommon red string that tucks and pulls to create a unique shape ($148).  Most dresses range from $100-$180 and tops from $30-$100.  Some collections are by local designers and organic and handmade pieces can easily be found.

The accessories are just as unique as the clothes, with purses, belts, hats, wallets, clutches, earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces found throughout the store.  Eccentric bright jewelry are made of beads, feathers, string, precious stones, and silver and range from $20-$150, with the most unique rings made from Horn and Seed Pod for $20-$90.  The one-of-a-kind custom leather belts have intricate buckles and are worn in beautifully ($100-$150).

DateMonday, July 20, 2009 at 4:20PM | Comment2 Comments |
Sunday
Jun212009

NY Artificial

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Location - 13 Eighth Ave (near West 12th Street)

Be ready to re-define yourself - and your style - after entering NY Artificial.  With local designers, eco-friendly materials, and trendy designs topped of with an amazingly attentive owner, you'll not only walk out with a great find, but a boost in self-esteem.  In addition to the warm welcome, you'll get thoughtful suggestions and helpful tidbits of information based on what pieces you stop to inspect further.  With prices ranging from $75-$400+, you'll get to model all types of bags from oversized totes to small metallic clutches.  Many styles come in ranges of colors and are mainly made in Manhattan.

Jewelry and other accessories, including hats and scarves are scattered throughout the store.  Inexpensive bangles to locally designed precious metal necklaces and earrings are so easy to wear and enhance the new handbag you're sure to purchase.  Be sure to check out the sister store next door that has apparel and more accessories.

If the handbags and accessories aren't enough, the hidden gem found at the back of the store is the makeup made by the owner, Aaron Bond. Already used by New York 1 and featured on the Red Carpet at the Tony Awards, this all-natural makeup line is hands-down amazing. Aaron, a former model, is so knowledgeable and attentive to skin needs that his line feels like freshness on the face. He will educate you on how to apply and transform you face into a natural, beautiful you. Though a little pricey, it's definitely worth the extra bucks to know you're only putting natural ingredients on your face, and it will last forever. I would recommend the amazing concealer ($28) and the lip satin hydrator ($19).

DateSunday, June 21, 2009 at 8:03PM | Comment1 Comment |
Monday
May252009

Gominyc

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Location - 443 East 6th Street (near Avenue A)

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This eco-friendly boutique is filled with mostly local designers and earth-conscious pieces that make you feel good when purchasing.  The prices are definitely steep, with clothes from $75-400 and up.  So if you have the cash and the desire to get your hands on fashionable, eco-friendly pieces, then check gominyc out.

The incredibly chatty and friendly staff is willing to walk you through each designer and their philosophy. Most memorable was the brand Majestic, which consisted of French, hand-cut linens in solids, stripes, and the newest experiment: tie-dye.  These difficult-to-find, ready-to-wear pieces are well organized and are hung on the walls for maximum viewing real-estate.

The most exciting finds were the precious metal jewelry, ranging from $30-350.  Delicate rosebloom rings and earring studs are on the less expensive end, whereas more robust pendants and bracelets are more expensive.  The jewelry is created by Brooklyn and East Village designers.

DateMonday, May 25, 2009 at 7:11PM | CommentPost a Comment |