new york city

An American flag and worn wooden armoire get the message across that Duo, started by two Minnesota-born sisters, is an homage to both the past and patriotism. The store favors emerging 
local designers who produce in the U.S., 
as well as vintage staples like a flannel-lined khaki anorak and brown leather ankle boots.

First you spot the red suede pumps. Then you spy the Karen Walker sunglasses. Next you get to a shelf with Collina Strada clutches and over there, you see an ivory pintucked top. Then it hits you: This store is like getting trapped inside a giant closet owned by the coolest girl ever.

Adorable mini striped tees and tulle tutus only momentarily distract from this year-old shop's feature attraction: Fiona Thomas and Allison Sires' eponymous line of tailored wool trousers and Aran knit sweaters for grown-ups.

Breeze into this teeny studio-slash-store and you'll likely find the designer intently at work, stretching and stitching sumptuous leather, Mongolian horsehair and intricate textiles into her line of ubiquitous bullet bags and satchels.

Vendors can be a bit surly (we saw one of them eject a shopper for snapping photos). But there’s a huge variety of treasures here, like the feather caps at Dipo’s African Market and almost-new clothes, such as a cheetah-print cardigan by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony.