Zoë

These chic sister stores specialize in upscale designers with a downtown sensibility.

by Laurel Pinson

When Lisa Brock completed her schooling at FIT in New York City and opened a store in Princeton, New Jersey, she had no idea how quickly it would take off. "It's only gotten better," she declares, and now with two large, airy locations—the newest in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood—Zoë is a Northeast destination for labels such as Lanvin, Derek Lam, and Zac Posen. Brock's strategy is to supplement big-gun stock with timeless picks from insider favorites, including Mayle silk dresses, See by Chloé tuxedo shirts, and Marni smocks. "I wanted to have a store that was a one-stop shopping experience," she explains. Princeton: 11 Hulfish St., 609-497-0704. New York City (Brooklyn): 68 Washington St., 718-237-4002. shopzoeonline.com