19 Commerce Street New York, NY 10014 (212.463.0515)
Ok, now I know we say this every week (well actually twice a week), but we are over the moon about today’s interview with Nadine Ferber. We first met when a mutual friend introduced us outside of her boutique in the West Village, Mick Margo. She was dressed in skinny jeans, a sweater and badass sneakers (may or may not have been Isabel Marant) pushing her baby Zoe in the stroller. We stopped to chat and after a brief exchange, our minds were made up: she may be one of the most genuinely cool women in the West Village, fashion industry, heck—maybe in Manhattan.
Read on to hear about her journey from being a twenty-something new yorker living in a “shitbox” to a thirty-something multi business owner (Mick Margo and Ten Over Ten which will be featured next week!)
You have a leg up on the 20 something’s living and working in Manhattan in the sense that you’ve got it all figured out. Can you tell us about your life in New York, prior to Mick Margo? I worked in a fast paced corporate environment from the day I graduated NYU at age 21 but always had in mind that I wanted to work for myself when the time was right. I feel fortunate that I had the experience to work for larger companies in a more corporate environment before going out on my own even though I wasn’t even working in the fashion industry. I learned so much about professionalism and overall business skills that otherwise might have been lost on me. I had great bosses who were my mentors in my first 7 years in the work force.
You have managed to open a trendy, neighborhood boutique in the covetable West Village! Can you tell us how this dream came to fruition? During that time I lived in the tiniest apartment in the far west village, which I nicknamed the ‘shitbox’ with my then boyfriend and now husband Matt Abramcyk. I always dreamed of opening my own boutique one day and would find myself wandering the streets at 6am looking for the perfect location for my dream shop before going into work.
When you walk into Mick Margo, there is such a friendly vibe which can’t be said about many NYC boutiques. How do you instill this vibe? I don’t think anyone should feel intimidated in a boutique setting, that is the whole point of a small shop’s existence in my mind. I always want people to feel as if they can come into my shop to simply browse on their way home from work, on a lunch break or during a stroll with their dog even without the intention of buying something. We try to be friendly but not overly so if you are in the mood to chat or need help picking out a piece we are there to help but otherwise take your time and hopefully something inspires you!
What goes into buying for Mick Margo? Where do you find the emerging designers you carry and why is that important to you? I buy in New York and Paris twice a year. It is important for me to find new brands to place on the racks at Mick Margo so there is some sense of discovery for my customers. I want them to find brands that they otherwise might not find and feel connected to the emerging designers by the way things are merchandises within the boutique setting. My main goal in buying for the shop is to carry timeless pieces that people wear over and over again. My favorite thing of all time is to hear my customers say they have a piece they bought 6 years ago from the shop that they still wear continuously.
Where do you see Mick Margo in the next two years I have to say, I have always seen Mick Margo as a single boutique and the vision that exists within the 4 walls at 19 Commerce St. so I have no real defined plans for expansion to speak of.
What is the most challenging part of owning a boutique? The retail environment has changed drastically since I opened the shop 7 years ago. I would say the most difficult challenge is maintaining a sense of relevance in a retail environment that is quickly moving toward a world where no one likes to pay full retail given that there are so many discount shopping sites out there and just general move toward online shopping. But I believe in the tangible – feeling the fabric of the clothes and trying pieces on is still so important.
What is the funniest Mick Margo story? Not long ago a drunk man came into the shop in the middle of the day, tried on a sweater dress over his khaki pants and button down shirt and purchased the dress for himself walking out of the store with it on over his other clothes. It had us in stitches!
What are your top 5 NYC restaurants?
What is your 4pm go-to snack? A fresh vegetable/fruit juice
If you were on a deserted island and could only bring 5 things, who and/or what would they be?
What is one beauty tip/trick you can tell us? Get a lash tint and then simply curl your lashes with a Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Makes you look instantly fresh and the tint lasts a good 2 weeks so you don’t have to apply mascara
What is one fashion tip/trick you can tell us? Find a cut that works well with you body type and stick with it. For example a high waist never fails me. Also I cannot stress the importance of buying clothes that fit you properly, it makes all the difference and I see people buying the wrong size for their frame all the time.
What are the 5 must-have pieces in Mick Margo right now?
**To get your hands and feet on the pieces above, visit Mick Margo in Manhattan’s West Village (19 Commerce St.)
Photos from Nadine and New York Magazines, Shanna Ravindra.
We are so incredibly excited to introduce you to the seriously dynamic duo behind Joomi Lim jewelry, Joomi and Xavier! This creative couple creates their “rock n roll chic” jewelry in Manhattan’s Flatiron district and sells them to Bergdorf Goodman, Opening Ceremony and Otte. Their success story stemmed from a very creative past (designing hair accessories for Phoebe Buffay on Friends!) that turned into a “what the hell happened to me?” future, as Joomi says! Check out their made with love jewelry and let those statement pieces do the talking!
Explain Joomi Lim jewelry! Rock n Roll Chic!
How were you discovered by the big guys like Opening Ceremony? We launched in 2009 at the former trade show Rendez-Vous when Opening Ceremony picked us up. They didn’t know who we were—nobody did—they just loved the pieces which is what I love about them. They don’t care who you are, they saw spikes, liked them, placed an order and have been big supporters since. Bloggers have also been extremely influential. I truly believe word of mouth is the most powerful form of awareness.
What is the price point of your jewels? It is so affordable which I believe is why we have seen such success. Our prices—$20 to $400—and who we sell to (Bergdorf Goodman, Opening Ceremony, top jewelers in Seoul, Tokyo and London) has been such a huge point of difference for us. We focus on high quality products at a reasonable price so when the pieces are placed next to really expensive jewelry, it’s so desirable. We work really hard to be different because everyone is a designer these days and because of its affordability, jewelry is a hot item.
You and your husband are the brand. Who plays what role? My husband Xavier and I both design. He comes from an industrial design background and brings a lot of innovative materials like titanium jewelry which nobody was doing when we launched. We also do a lot of designs on the computer and then work in titanium techniques. I manage adding the details (like spikes) to the pieces. On the business end, I handle sales and press while he handles marketing and branding.
What is your trademark look? Spikes! We are known for them. We always want to push the envelope.
How did your former life lead you to today’s success? I was a makeup artist at MAC while creating my brand Joomi Joolz which included hair accessories, T Shirts, handbags and belts. I was in my 20s and didn’t know what I was doing. The hair accessories were picked up by Friends for Phoebe! Christina Aguilera wore one of my TShirts on the cover of Rolling Stone as did Madonna in a music video.
How did you learn the art of jewelry making? It was mostly a hobby that turned into a “what the hell happened to me?” I did learn a bit at Parsons but it was really a combination of having the right contacts and the right product.
Favorite NYC Restaurants:
Best Cocktail: Hendricks and Tonic.
Favorite places to shop:
If you could live anywhere else, it would be: Paris! My husband is from there and I’m sure we’ll retire there. I’ve been with him for 7 years and don’t speak the language, I have to learn!
One of the reasons GO TRY IT ON has such a rich flavor of fashion is because of our international community—30 percent international to be exact. While we have snagged interviews with bloggers from the US and Europe, we are excited to expand our global reach to spotlight these fashion influencers from South Africa! Sisters Marianna and Alla Boguslavsky are separated by distance but connected by fashion, more specifically their blog BoguslavskySisters.com. Here they share the trends they love, celebrities they adore and tips on what to wear! Read on to step inside the life of two South African fashionistas and follow them on Twitter: Marianna and Alla!
GO TRY IT ON: How did fashion play a role in your childhood?
Marianna: We grew up in Riga, Latvia but our family emigrated to Port Elizabeth (PE) in 1991. I really started to focus on high street fashion, trends, fabrics and styles that suited my body when I moved to London.
GO TRY IT ON: How is fashion in Port Elizabeth different than Cape Town?
Alla: In PE we tend to be more relaxed about our fashion and only to dress up for specific occasions (or to impress someone!) In Cape Town fashion is more like a lifestyle, a culture.
GO TRY IT ON: How does South African fashion compare to European and American fashion?
Alla: In South Africa, we are lucky to have so many diverse cultures that allow a much wider interpretation of fashion and trends. In European countries similar trends seem to be followed throughout the country.
GO TRY IT ON: Where do most South African’s shop?
Marianna: Most SA shop offline but this is starting to change with online stores such as 36Boutiques and Diligo and a handful of other retailers waking up to the e-Commerce trend.
GO TRY IT ON: What is a typical weekend for you?
Marianna: Wine Farms. Beach. Sushi. My husband. Friends. Shopping.
GO TRY IT ON: What are your climates like and how do you dress for them?
Alla: South Africa is hot for the better part of the year, so I look for natural fibers like cotton, which keep you cool and try to stay away from fibres such as acrylic. In PE specifically, you get four seasons in one day. So the solution is layers – always come prepared.
GO TRY IT ON: What is your favorite thing about South Africa?
Marianna: The city where I live, Cape Town! From the beaches to the wine lands, it’s just magical.
GO TRY IT ON: If you could live anywhere else, what would it be?
Marianna: Most probably Europe. I lived in London and loved it and I think I would enjoy living in Paris (who wouldn’t?!)
GO TRY IT ON: What is your guilty pleasure?
Alla: Sushi and wine sessions…I have them far too often…
GO TRY IT ON: What is your favorite song right now?
Alla: Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
GO TRY IT ON: What is your favorite TV show?
Alla: Vampire Diaries. Damon Salvatore. Enough said.
GO TRY IT ON: Tell us why we need to shop in South Africa!
Marianna: So many up and coming designers, the little boutiques on Long Street, the Mr Price Limited Edition Ranges, the incredible sales…!
GO TRY IT ON: What trend scares you?
Marianna: Neon colors.
GO TRY IT ON: What trend excites you?
Marianna: Mint skinny jeans. OBSESSED.
GO TRY IT ON: Who is your fashion role model?
Marianna: I draw my fashion inspiration from my favorite series characters (those TV stylists know how to work it) which are Emily VanCamp in Revenge to Alexandra Chando in The Lying Game.
Sweet Lily Spa: 222 West Broadway New York, NY 10013 (212.925.5441)
Remember that time you fled a stressful situation and hightailed it to a “relaxing” manicure chair which resulted in wet nails, fumes to kill, an 11 second massage (which involved slapping) and even more stress than when you walked in the door? We know, it happens far too often. A manicure is as available as a slice of pizza (especially in NYC) but here’s the crucial difference: A bad slice is still good. A bad manicure is a mood crusher—dare we say life ruiner? Ok that’s dramatic but still, it’s detrimental!
Ladies, meet Sweet Lily Spa! This Tribeca treat opened in 2002 by Donna Perillo, a self-proclaimed girly girl who traveled the world for a great manicure only to realize most involved a mad rush and unsanitary everything causing her to solve the issue herself.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about treating your hands and feet properly!
How did your passion for manicures evolve? I have always been known as a girly girl who loved to get my nails done. I’m not a big hair person but nails—I love nails! It’s paint, it’s art. Hair is too committal. Nail polish can change with your mood, outfit, etc. I love the small artistic outlet of it and it’s inexpensive. You can spend thousands of dollars on a Chanel bag and then realize you’re over it.
I worked in the film and music industry and traveled a lot. I could never understand why there wasn’t a place to get my nails done that was clean and enjoyable but not a fancy private room. I didn’t want to make a huge to-do. I just wanted a place to catch up with my girlfriends in an environment that didn’t involve ripped leather seats so I opened up my own place to solve the problem!
When and why did you open Sweet Lily? We opened in 2002 just after 9/11. People were surprised because the area really shut down south of Canal street but as a Soho resident of 14 years, I didn’t care. That area was old New York, the New York I feel in love with.
How did you go from a customer to an expert? For three years, I learned everything there is to know about nails. I had no social life and was obsessed with nails.
What is the difference between your staff and other salons? They are professionals! The hardest part of starting this business was finding skilled people. You have no idea how many nail salons hire people off the books, without a license. Once we hire the women, we have to retrain them and make sure they can think out of the box. For so long, the quick manicure was the standard and we needed to make sure our staff wasn’t caught up with that. It’s not about making money. It’s about making an experience.
After ten years, how do you ensure Sweet Lily remains as you intended? I get a manicure once a week, choose a different person each time and AM YOUR MOST ANNOYING CUSTOMER! I am continuously training them.
Nail trends are extremely hot right now! Do you offer nail art? We do have certain technicians who can do the nail art if we get a request for it but we don’t spend too much time training them to do this since it’s such a trend that will probably go soon.
What is so different about the Sweet Lily Manicure? We don’t do acrylics or gels. Gels are put under a UV light to dry (like tanning) and it’s not good for you. Removing gel trashed your nails—you have to soak it in acetone which can soak into your skin. The only pro I see of gel manicures is that it lasts two weeks so for vacation it can be nice.
You don’t have Essie or OPI. What polish do you use? Zoya. We’ve had it since we opened because it’s formaldehyde, toluene and DBT free. The colors are so beautiful and don’t smell because they’re free of chemicals. The owners daughter was pregnant and they didn’t want her to be around chemicals but she wanted to get her nails done so started a safe polish.
Who is your customer? Most of them are regulars and 30% of them are pregnant because they want to avoid the chemicals and ensure the tools are sanitary.
What’s your favorite place to shop? Bloomingdale’s uptown! it’s a one-stop-shop. If I’m walking around browsing, I’ll go to the boutiques on Mulberry and Mott.
What is your favorite restaurant? Avoce in the Time Warner building.
What is you’re most cherished workout? I love to ride a bike!
Tell us the funniest Sweet Lily story! A woman once came in acting as if she was looking for one of her girlfriends and stole someone’s purse! My manager chased her down the street for two blocks and never caught her.
We also had a homeless guy that parked it in front of our door for awhile. He just liked the women coming in!
We are so excited to participate in Saks Contemporary Week. Come visit us on the 5th floor by Rebecca Taylor to try on your picks and model them at our photo booth (we have props!)
If you can’t make it, play along with us online and check out all of the looks snapped this weekened, here!
Can’t wait to see you!
We are so excited to bring you Patricia, the Associate Editorial Producer at Condé Nast Traveler. She is as stylish as she is quirky and gave us full access to her tales in the fashion world, starting with anecdotes about her childhood snuggle buddy (Vogue) and her most embarrassing Condé moment (it involves sushi, stilettos and a spill!) Oh and in case you didn’t connect the dots, she is the lady to take travel tips from—like in Barcelona! Read on and then add her as your GO TRY IT ON Personal Stylist, follow her on Twitter and check up on her personal blog.
How is the environment at Condé Nast Traveler different from other publications in the building? We’re the only travel publication within the company, and the staff is an incredibly passionate group of people—totally dedicated to the brand, its mission, and international travel. It’s inspiring.
Best thing about working at Condé Nast? Definitely being a part of such a creative environment. I fell in love with magazines when I was two—my mother told me I would drag her international Vogues and fall asleep with them in her closet. I was fascinated with the beauty of the printed page—but more so, the people who made those books. I wanted to know where, and how, it all took place. In college, I fell into the digital sector after launching a fashion and travel blog for my multimedia journalism class, and knew I wanted to work in that beat. I was fortunate enough to travel often and meet some crazily talented people, and after graduation, I landed a position at Condé Nast Traveler. And so working at Condé Nast is really a culmination of all my aspirations—I get to work with people as passionate as I am about this intersection of print and digital, travel and fashion.
What is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you while at work? When I fell flat on my face walking down the runway-like corridor in the center of the cafeteria while carrying an open box of sushi! It was my first week, I was feeling really cool in my new shoes, and of course the place was packed. Anyhow, I ended up with soy all over myself and had to run across the street to the Gap for a different shirt, but my hair reeked like soy for the rest of the day.
What is the best trip you’ve ever taken? Best place to shop and eat in that city? Barcelona. In college, I dated a guy who moved to the Gràcia neighborhood after graduation, and when I visited, I fell hard. I’d been to other cities in Spain before, but was never really taken. There’s a young, forward-thinking, freewheeling culture in the city—always turned on to new tech and fashion trends and producing beautiful things (Apartamento, the Sónar Festival). I guess you could liken that to New York, or maybe Amsterdam, but I think Barcelona has a vibrancy that no other city has. For shopping, I love Ras, a design bookstore, magazine boutique, and gallery in El Raval. It’s kind of like a concrete cave, a haven; whenever I’m in the city, I set aside half a day and make a trip there. I also love the shoe boutique Nu Sabates, in El Born—I love their men’s collections. You can custom-design your shoes’ color and leather texture there, too. Have lunch at Alkimia, in Gràcia—really delicious, simple Catalan food; I love the pickled oysters and egg bonbons sopped up with nutty breads.
5 things you want to buy right now for spring fashion:
If you could close your eyes and transport yourself to one place in the world right now, where would it be? Palm Springs. I’m actually headed there for Coachella in two weeks; it’s one of my favorite places.
What song are you listening to on repeat? That old Moulinex remix of Cut Copy’s “Lights and Music.”
There is so much to do in NYC, it can be difficult to stay on top of it all. What is one go-to resource to know where to go (museums, concerts, etc.), what to eat and where to shop? New York Magazine is definitely my go-to for gallery openings, shows, and new restaurants; for shopping, I’m kind of unadventurous in that I buy all my clothes from Opening Ceremony and Topshop. And my beauty go-to is Barneys. I get my styling inspiration from a lot of international fashion publications: Purple, Self Service, and the French, Japanese, and Korean editions of Vogue and GQ.
If you weren’t working at Condé Nast Traveler you would be…Working at a men’s fashion publication. I’ve always been intrigued by the way men dress—sometimes, more so than women—and I like to break down looks, analyze the pieces, and put them together again, in different ways than the original styling. I interned at Esquire in college, and the menswear aesthetic has really stayed with me. I actually prefer a lot of my favorite designers’ men’s collections to the women’s (Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe, Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki’s Maison Kitsuné).
When you’re running through a windstorm in downtown Manhattan, the ideal place to take cover is a warm land of bright lights and printed pants…in my case, this land was Otte (rhymes with hot).
Since Kay Lee opened the first location in Brooklyn, the NYC-based women’s boutique has since planted roots in Tribeca, the West Village and the Upper East Side— outfitting three very different groups of women.
With a new store opening on 71st St. this July and their just-launched private label flying off the hangers, this once L-train destination has quite a bit to show and tell. To introduce us to everything Otte, meet the store’s Vice President and former Google girl, Nancy Zhang! Follow them on Twitter, too!
First the good stuff, then the important stuff…
THE GOOD STUFF
IT’S 4PM AT YOUR DESK, WHAT ARE YOU EATING? Kashi Cereal (no milk) and dried fruits like Mangos
GUILTY PLEASURE: Handbags. Used to be shoes but as I get older it’s harder to wear those stilletos 24/7.
BEST THING IN YOUR CLOSET: Swarovski encrusted rainbow colored Mui Mui’s. I bought them when I was 22, definitely didn’t have the money for them but saw them in Bergdorf’s and stalked them for weeks. They finally went on sale and the sales associate (who I had become friends with at this point) hid them for me and I bought them after work. They’ve been mine ever since!
BIGGEST BUYERS REMORSE: A Jean Paul Gaultier under the sea printed chiffont blouse with military detail on the shoulders. I’ve never worn it but can’t give it away or cut it into somethign else. Every so often, I take it out of my closet, look at it and put it back.
LAST CLOSET CLEAN OUT: Almost never…I’m a pack rat. I put items in a box and revisit them every few years and then actually find things—like my red high waisted tweet pants—and break them out because they’re back in style.
MOST BAZAAR IN-STORE EXPERIENCE: When skinny jeans were really big for men, they would come into the store (we only carry women’s clothing) and try them on.
FAVORITE PIECE IN THE STORE: The Otte label rose-printed scarf! It was created by our Art Director. She printed it digitally onto silk and then the designers sketched it and the garment district created it.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
WHAT BRANDS CAN WE FIND IN OTTE? We carry recognizable brands like Current Elliott and Loeffler Randall but have very strong relationships with local and emerging designers. We carried Alexander Wang when his line consisted of a few pieces only. We serve as councilors to young designers so if they present us with a line we don’t love, we advise them on what to alter to get in our stores.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRIVATE LABEL! It just launched in the fall! We tested it first and the response was so great so we went with it. The pieces are manufactured in the NYC garment district and consist of affordable luxury and basic items ($150-$300) that compliment the print-heavy pieces we already currently carry. They are flying out the door!
HOW ACTIVE ARE YOUR ONLINE SHOPPERS? We launched Ecommerce three years ago and it has grown 40 percent, and 50 percent of our online business comes from overseas. It’s amazing to see that women in Holland and Russia are buying the same Current Elliott jeans!
HOW DO YOU SET YOURSELF APART FROM THE INTERMIX AND SCOOP’S OF THE WORLD? The market is so over saturated so for us, it’s really about editing. We want the best of what’s out there. Also, Intermix is buying thousands of one piece where we’re buying twenty - it’s a smaller and more intimate buying process because we have a specific group of customers in mind.
WHO IS THAT CUSTOMER? The West Village woman is more fashion forward, Tribeca is edgy and the Madison Ave. is more luxe.
HOW ARE YOU USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO RAISE AWARENESS AND BOOST SALES? In the last through months, we have seen thousands of dollars in sales come through Polyvore and Pinterest. Other than social media, it’s all word of mouth and events.
WHAT IS THE LAST EVENT YOU HOSTED? We like to co-sponsor events with emerging designers. For example, we recently held an event with the Dannijo girls in support of a charity called Falling Whistles.
Welcome to the big leagues, ladies! Today we are going shopping (virtually—how else?) with Danielle Stewart! Her resume includes working with Beyonce at the House of Deréon (yep—she saw it all!) and her current gigs at WWD and Style.com.
However, Danielle’s most impressive accomplishment is her black belt in creative dressing. She hosts clothing swaps with her girlfriends and shops the unknown, pairing it with a Zara piece to make it fit for a Sartorialist moment.
For more, read on, check out her blog and of course, follow her on Twitter.
Five things you want to buy RIGHT NOW: Pardon my current shoe crush…
Where do you find fabulous and affordable accessories & jewelry?
Can you tell us about your fabulous career path? My first job at GC Williams, a Madison Ave. high-end boutique for teens, educated me on fabrics and exposed me to the world of styling. I worked with other teens by helping them put together outfits for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and their summer vacations.
My most incredible experience so far was working with The Knowles family at the House of Deréon. I gained first-hand knowledge and experience working with the Deréon team on the Beyonce brand, traveling to France to meet with Thierry Mugler who created Beyonce’s costumes for her I AM tour.
Who has been the most influential person in your career? Stylist Pamela Shepard! She taught me how to use texture, color and pattern to create a cohesive visual that accentuates a clients’ best features while maintaining and expressing their individualism.
Who has been the greatest person you’ve met while working in fashion in NY? Carly Cushnie of Cushnie Et Ochs! I first saw her a few years ago at a concert in Brooklyn and quickly developed a girl crush!
Several months later, I officially met Carly on a work assignment and immediately understood why I was initially drawn to her. Her designs are AMAZINGLY SEXY without being tacky or exploitative, and her personality is playful and funny which makes her very approachable.
What is the most embarrassing that’s happened to you at work?
Okay picture this! I’m strutting confidently down the hallway in my 4-inch heels to a meeting for Footwear News Shoe Star, a competition for aspiring shoe designers at F.I.T., and I walk out of one shoe and trip. Sitting in the room was my boss and Sam Edelman! Yes, I know!
If you could teleport yourself to one place in the world right now, where would it be? Egypt! The Nile, the Red Sea … religion, culture, rich history, colors, beauty, and did I say PYRAMIDS.
What song are you listening to on repeat? Azealia Banks “212” and recently heard that Karl Lagerfeld had her perform for him…
What is your go-to NYC resource for where to go and what to eat?
What is the best thing in your closet right now?
How do you know it’s time to clean out your closet?
A few of Danielle’s fashion crushes:
Before we praise a trend that is about to win you over (just you wait and see), I have a personal anecdote to reveal.
Three months ago, after hearing chatter about jean skirts making a major comeback, I was caught uttering the following phrase, “I never wore a denim skirt. Not even the mini ones from Abercrombie and I promise, I will never wear one.” I stand before you and retract that statement!
As the winter freeze lifts and legs burst out of hibernation, the denim skirt has been included in outfits on fashion week runways (thank you Stella McCartney for making it ok!) as well as women in the metropolitan area. And now, the trend has made its case (don’t you just love the fashion industry?) but under some very specific conditions!
HEELS. This is a non-negotiable factor. You must elongate those stems with a wedge, stiletto or bootie (see Miranda Kerr above!)
ACCESSORIES. The denim skirt can’t do all the talking. Amp up the look with lots of jewelry and a fabulous bag…which brings us to our next point…
TOTE. We encourage you to wear a clutch or tote to add more sophistication to the look. If you choose a slouchy look, don’t wear it cross the body and let it hang down on one shoulder to avoid a major hippie look…and not a good one.
ATTITUDE. Allow the skirt to have embellishment whether it be distressed (above), buttoned up (or down!) like Stella McCartney’s (above) or a pretty little bow in front.
AVOID. Too tight, too baggy, too long, and any extra material like lace or tulle (no. no. no.)
88 Tenth Ave. @ 15th Street (Open 7 days a week from 10:30am-7pm)
One of the best things about living in this concrete jungle (sorry, I couldn’t resist) is the accidental discovery which, in this case, was the Artists & Fleas pop up shop at Chelsea Market. Located on 10th ave. and 15th Street (right under the High Line) is a large room populated with statement vintage jewelry, accessories and clothing booths which are all very hard to pass up.
Each individual booth has something unique to offer your wardrobe but I got sucked in by the lady of The Greedy Seagull which, in my opinion, was the best in show. Head there this weekend to pick up a fabulous dress or a few pieces of costume jewelry to make that basic spring dress pop!