If you’re planning a trip to New York this Christmas and are a devoted fashionista, LGM provides key insights and destinations to elevate your retail therapy. Here are some of our curated recommendations.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK…
Libfly jeans-@laguiademoda
There’s no dearth of boutiques and retail opportunities in New York. The city is essentially an open-air emporium, and wherever you wander, there’s always a novel discovery waiting.
Whether you’re seeking affordable fashion, utilitarian concepts, the most exclusive luxury boutiques, or avant-garde indie labels, shopping in New York never disappoints. Beyond the evident choices of Fifth Avenue, replete with its fancy stores, LGM aims to present something distinct.
YUMI KIM:
New York City is a hotbed for design talent worth exploring. Designer Kim Phan first began upcycling vintage garments and designing dresses as a child, and that youthful influence is still discernible in the floral prints and pastel palettes of many of her ensembles. The Yumi Kim store on the Upper East Side exudes a slightly more serene aesthetic than its Lower East Side counterpart, yet retains its whimsical touches. Floral wallpaper and birds adorn the walls, footwear is displayed on circular tables amidst bouquets of flowers and peacock feathers, and three white birdcages suspend from the ceiling; a lounge area also occupies the center of the space for weary shoppers to recharge. The boutique also offers accessories and home décor, such as candles, cushions, statement jewelry, and clutch bags.
BIRD BROOKLYN:
Los habitantes de Brooklyn están de suerte con esta minicadena: el distrito de moda de Nueva York cuenta también con el principal destino de moda para mujer y hombre donde los precios cubren toda la gama. Ha estado en el negocio durante 18 años, desde 1999, y no muestra signos de agotamiento: tiene cuatro corners en Brooklyn, y uno en Los Angeles, California. Bird apoya a los mejores diseñadores emergentes y a los ya establecidos con un enfoque en colecciones independientes y producidas de forma sostenible; además fomenta la creatividad a través de colaboraciones e instalaciones artísticas rotativas.
Brooklynites are in luck with this boutique chain: New York’s fashion district also boasts a prime destination for women’s and men’s apparel where price points span the entire spectrum. It has been in business for 18 years, since 1999, and shows no signs of waning: it features four outposts in Brooklyn, and one in Los Angeles, California. Bird champions both emerging and established designers with a focus on independent and sustainably produced collections; moreover, it fosters creativity through collaborations and rotating art installations.
ASSEMBLY NEW YORK:
Assembly New York definitively hits the mark for avant-garde and isn’t always exorbitantly priced. Its eponymous apparel line holds its own against the industry’s darlings (which it also carries for its clientele), and the footwear and accessory collections are as extensive as the ready-to-wear for both men and women. Hats, jewelry, eyewear, and even fragrances… every detail is curated to cater to the boldest and most innovative tastes.
RAG & BONE:
This American minimalist and industrial-chic apparel chain for men and women can boast corners in other global fashion hubs like London, Tokyo, Sydney, and Dubai. It currently operates eleven stores in NYC and numerous others across North America. Apart from those in Soho, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, the one that particularly captured our attention is on East Houston Street, and here’s why. Local residents, irked by the closure of the old Café Colonial, began scrawling graffiti on the building’s side, but in a stroke of genius, R&B founders, the designer duo David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, transformed it into the “Houston/PROJECT”: a rotating art wall designed by various street artists that has now become a neighborhood fixture.
This symbol of creativity permeates the impressive space that unites three interconnected boutiques: a denim emporium, a shoe salon where footwear options range from supple leather boots to neon heels, and a women’s apparel boutique. In the latter, sweaters, jackets, and blouses are draped over tables, while hats adorn garment racks. But the denim area is the showstopper: a bastion of fresh, casual jeans hangs among mannequins, showcasing the latest styles, and customers still seeking the perfect pair after Browse the industrial space can peruse the entire collection on a touch screen.
IN SUPPORT OF:
The offerings are infinite in NYC. But we can’t help but recommend In Support Of, a boutique in the Meatpacking District that promotes eco-conscious and low-profile designers who produce locally, and dedicates a portion of its proceeds to support a different charitable organization. Or the Broadway Market, a co-retail space in Midtown Manhattan, where you can explore products from over fifty independent artists, designers, and creators selling their handmade goods under one roof. A truly unique shopping experience!
