New York Shopping Guide
Our list of the most undeniably unmissable spots.
The Top 100 Boutiques in New York
Opening Ceremony
One of the first boutiques to populate the now über-trendy intersection of Howard and Crosby streets (Jil Sander and Derek Lam just debuted there), Opening Ceremony continues to abide by its original premise: Every season, designers from a different country or region go up against a permanent collection of American labels like Alexander Wang and Boy by Band of Outsiders. Right
now, Mexico is on deck. 35 Howard St. SOHO 212-219-2688, openingceremony.us
Otte
When neighborhood girls need a last-minute party dress or a vacation-worthy tunic, this is where they go.
Otte traffics in the sort of effortlessly pretty pieces that seamlessly integrate
into any wardrobe, whether it's a
3.1 Phillip Lim skirt or Current/Elliott jeans. 121 Greenwich Ave. WEST VILLAGE 212-229-9424; 1281 Madison Ave. UES
212-289-2644; 132 N. Fifth St. WILLIAMSBURG 718-302-3007,
otteny.com
Poppy
Retail is in Leslie McKeown Czeban's blood: Her mom owned a boutique in her native Canada, and she worked there from age 13 on. Czeban
can still be found at her five-year-old shop most of the week, advising clients on how to wear the wealth of pieces inside, whether it's a T by Alexander Wang
tank or a Lauren Moffatt dress. 281 Mott St. NOLITA 212-219-8934, poppynyc.com
Steven Alan
One of the formidable forces in shaping NYC's boutique culture, Steven Alan's Tribeca emporium has fast-tracked many a major trend. Though shops that exclusively carry his collection of intentionally rumpled button-downs and shirtdresses now populate the city,
the Franklin Street flagship, with its deep apothecary-like shelving and rolling-ladder-adorned, library-ish walls, is the best. Here, vintage Rolexes, Mara Hoffman dresses, and A.P.C. trenches happily coexist. 103 Franklin St. TRIBECA 212-343-0692, stevenalan.com
Zachary's Smile
They're an excellent resource for reworked vintage clothing—the house line of dresses crafted from printed antique silk is wildly popular.
9 Greenwich Ave. (at Christopher St.), 212-924-0604, zacharyssmile.com
9 Greenwich Ave. (at Christopher St.), 212-924-0604, zacharyssmile.com
Zero Maria Cornejo
Now two locations strong—including a gigantic store on Bleecker—Zero + Maria Cornejo continues to turn out strongly cut, highly conceptual tulip-shaped dresses and cropped jackets. It's rare that the Chilean-born designer ever uses a print or pattern, focusing instead on intensive draping, which means that while many items look confusing on the hanger, they're extraordinarily cool to wear. 33 Bleecker St. NOHO 212-925-3849; 807 Greenwich St. WEST VILLAGE 212-620-0460, zeromariacornejo.com for more information
Kiosk
Owners Alisa Grifo and Marco ter Haar Romeny travel all over the world, ferreting out the everyday—yet beautiful—artifacts of a culture or a region, whether it's an orange peeler from Florida or a mending kit from Germany. The spoils of their trips are displayed at their eccentric you-have-to-know-about-it-to-know-it's-there second-floor store. 95 Spring St., Second Fl. SOHO 212‑226-8601, kioskkiosk.com
Kirna Zabête
One of the first boutiques that could legitimately go toe-to-toe with trendsetters like Barneys, Kirna Zabête established itself in Soho back in 1999 and has since become a huge force. But despite their success, Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley are
far from complacent when it comes to finding left-of-center pieces. Right now, they're betting on Giambattista Valli balloon-sleeved blouses and Rick Owens' leather biker jackets. 96 Greene St. SOHO 212-941-9656, kirnazabete.com for more information
Kisan Concept Store
Even though it's operated by three Parisians, the Kisan flagship is actually in Iceland, which partly explains its eclectic appeal. The front of the year-old space is devoted to art books, graphic stationery, and eggshell-thin glassware, while the back is given
over to big, primarily French, fashion names like Vanessa Bruno, Sonia Rykiel, and Jerome Dreyfuss. 125 Greene St. SOHO 212-941-9656, kisanstore.com for more information
Layla
Owner Alayne Patrick travels to India constantly to source everything from rough-cut diamond drop earrings to satin quilts, which she then deftly mixes with Megan Park gowns and a house line of tunics. A recently opened towel annex across the street is replete with neatly folded stacks of Missoni beach blankets and exuberantly patterned Fabindia bath sheets. 86 Hoyt St. BOERUM HILL 718-222-1933; 83 Hoyt St. BOERUM HILL 718-222-1933
