Barneys in Cobble Hill?

This article in Crain's New York caught my eye for a few reasons. (She's doing a list?)

1. The rise of "South Brooklyn"
Yeah, that's right. I love south Brooklyn. I'm not talking Gravesend, but south enough compared to where the typical non-Brooklynite will go and south enough compared to"North" Brooklyn--Williamsburg and Greenpoint. As every school semester passes I see more and more under 25s moving to Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, and South Park Slope. And new bars and businesses spring up with them.

But bottom line--there's money in these here parts. The average income is significantly higher here than in north brooklyn. After all, Billyburg and Bushwick hipsters aren't known for their excess income and before their population burst the neighborhood was (and still is) working class. But not so in Cobble Hill. Only a few years ago Smith St. was not as gentrified as it is now, but for some reason this area attracted professionals with professional salaries. (I think it was all the trees and the handsome Brownstones).

Based on numbers, opening shop in Cobble Hill makes more business sense. And that's probably why Urban Outfitters jumped at the chance a couple of years ago. (I worked for OU many moons ago, and while I didn't think they had the best policies when it came to their workers, I do have to say the company has sound business judgement. Coincidentally their stock is doing very well). Smaller upscale chains like Steven Alan also opened shop in the area.

Yes, it is a little weird that Barneys is opening in Brooklyn, but its new Dubai-based owner is eyeing expansion. I'm curious to see how it works out.


2. Retail Expansion During Fiscal Crisis
I'm already seeing many new small businesses popping up on the LES and there are less vacant store fronts (except on Ave. A--what's going on there? Many vacant storefronts). The small businesses that I'm seeing are more niche and bespoke than ever which I'm pleased about. Remember when boutiques actually carried products that were hard to find anywhere else? That's why you went to these places in the first place. So what happens when every women's boutique carries Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang and every men's boutique carries Comme de Garcon? And then Bloomingdale's begins to carry Robert Geller? And the The Gap does a collab with Phillip Lim? Your customer either gets bored or goes to Bloomingdales because they have a credit card with them. Yes, it's all great product, and I still want me a Comme wallet, but oversaturation is bad for business.

Sadly, oversaturation was much the fault of retailers. 2005-2007 were great years for shopping. Many young, American designers came up during this time: Vena Cava, Thakoon, Loefler Randall. There were plenty of stores that were looking to fill their racks with something new and edgy and it just so happened that many young companies were coming out with great product and there was a large enough customer base with extra money to spend. Supply and demand matched. But by 2008, those edgy designs were getting ripped off and you could get Loefler Randall look-a-like boots from Steve Madden for a fraction of the cost (of course, their not real Vachetta leather, but hey, you can save $500). It got a bit much and supply exceeded demand. And then the 2008 crisis happened and unfortuanletly some stores and some clothing labels didn't make it. 2009 became the year of the sample sale to get rid of overstock and to give businesses and designers a chance to recoup at least some costs.

But with every crisis, comes growth and the discovery of something new that will change everything. Apple and Microsoft were both companies founded during a financial crisis, and I'm excited because I believe we've reached the turning point.

The recession is technically over and unemployment did not rise in November. While it's not stellar news, it is an improvement from what we've been hearing. I don't think retail will return to the highs of 2007 numbers any time soon. Shoppers have changed their habits and priorities too much for that to happen now, but with a changing customer will come business owners who will cater to this new customer.

Seeing new stores open, new shop owners with faces bright with new ideas and potential, and new expansions of chains is good news. Now is the time. Better to be a leader in the growth that will eventually happen than a follower.

Rag & Bone takes over Den

Den, Odin's concept store in the East Village finished up their insane summer sale just in time to introduce a new installment of the store's rotating designers. Rag & Bone's fall collection for men and women is in-store now.

Rag & Bone's David Neville and Marcus Wainwright design in the city, but manufacture their clothing in North Carolina in a factory known for its quality, "We believed and always will, that jeans represent history, authenticity, and fundamentals. We wanted to fuse these elements together with all the clothing we set out to design and to produce collections that reflected the same qualities that we saw in classic work wear."

I love androgyny and like that women can easily shop in both genders of Rag & Bone's clothing. Their pieces crisp, boyish, military-inspired, and their separates fit easily into your existing wardrobe. One of my favorites is their white tuxedo shirt (above).

Den is located at 330 East 11th Street (btwn 1st and 2nd).

Summer Sales

It's that time of year when spring/summer clothing and accessories get marked down. Most boutiques are cutting prices 25-50% now to make room for fall shipments in mid-July. Yes, fall shipments start that early. Check out your favorite independently owned boutique now for deals.

And as always, the best way to find out about upcoming promotions and sales is to get on the email list of your favorite shops.

Faile for your Bathroom

If you missed the recent Faile show on Chrystie Street, don't feel bad. The show was short-lived--only four days. Now you can shop on UrbanOutfitters.com and take the street art collective's stuff home with you...in a shower curtain.

Or better yet get it from the source at izolashower.com

Super City Tote

So I've seen five women in the past two days sporting Anna Corinna's city tote in the miniature version. There must be something there. The leather bag converts from a shoulder strap when folded over to a roomy handle bag making it big enough to carry everything you need to lug with you (and all those things you carry that you don't need).

The summer version comes in cool canvas with leather details that's a definite step up from your typical canvas tote bag with screen print. Way more grown up.

The DL:
The mini city tote retails for $360
Get it at Foley + Corinna in NYC and shopbop.com

Orthopedic shoes are hot

Sometimes I like dressing like an old person. This is the geriatric Worishofer comfort sandal you will see all over the city this summer. Cute or ugly? I can’t even tell anymore. Well, at least they give you some height. That's kind of sexy.

Just when you thought things can't get any more practical, check the price. An affordable $55-65 a pop. Buy a pair for yourself and one for grandma. They're also available at Bird in Park Slope and Shoe Market in Williamsburg.

If I were ever to be interviewed by Vanity Fair

If Vanity Fair ever called up and requested an interview (and photo spread shot by Annie Liebowitz) I would say, "Yes!" and these would be my answers. I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself. Plus, filling out questionnaires makes me feel important.

1. Is there a particular designer you're taken with?
I’m hypnotically drawn to Vena Cava’s line. The Brooklyn-based designers have nailed 1920s vintage romantic with their dresses and camisoles in silk with art-deco style prints. Their cuts are timeless, and the way their fabrics drape on the body is just plain beautiful.

2. Do you look to a particular muse for inspiration?
Charlotte Gainsbourg has great style. She’s a little boyish, a little bohemian, and VERY French. Her signature piece, a black Balenciaga leather bomber jacket, makes a white t-shirt and jeans look incredible. We all need a great signature piece with transformational powers.

3. Is there a trend evolving that you're excited about? Is there a trend you wish would quietly disappear?
As the weather gets warmer, it makes sense to go with a dress. Throw it on. Dress it up. Dress it down. There’s a shape for everyone this season. The trendy trapeze dresses you see everywhere are cute if you’re young and shaped like a stick. If you actually have breasts, a dress with a definite waist or something belted to pull you in is much more flattering.


4. What are some closet staples?
The Etoile by Isabel Marant swing tee has become a staple of mine. It’s a modern, boxy cut t-shirt with a linen texture that looks like you’ve had it forever. I wear it with everything, like Rag & Bone’s slim black jean. It's a little rocker, but not too tapered at the ankle which makes it less of a hipster, tight jean and more of a sexy, black pant. Loeffler Randall’s shoes and boots (another great Brooklyn label) are definitely a staple.

5. Is there a particular beauty ritual that you love for the Spring?
Sunscreen everyday. I get it all over everything, but I don’t care. I’m kind of a nut about it.

6. Is there a book you can't put down or are anticipating to read this Spring?
The Brooklyn Reader. I love learning about New York City history, especially in narrative.

7. What artist/album/genre do you play over and over again on you iPod?
I’m a sucker for The Shins, CSS, and Diplo.

8. Do you have a dream locale you wish to visit this season?
It’s been so long since I’ve driven a car. I’d like to drive along any coast, the wind blowing in my hair, blasting something fun on the stereo, like 36 Mafia.

9. What are some of your favorite rituals you've been anctipiating to do once the weather warms up?
Inner-city field trips. I love walking around in warm weather, stumbling upon neighborhoods (good and bad ones), and photographing them.

10. What food/drink do you crave during the season?
Cherry-vanilla ice cream.

11. What do you love most about your neighborhood?
In the wintertime I forget the trees in Park Slope exist. Then all of a sudden they’re blooming these beautiful, massive pink flowers. It's like the trees are screaming "It's finally Spring!"

12. What do you think of the emergence of boutiques in Brooklyn?
Boutiques promote new fashion talent and can be inspiring to any shopper, whether you can afford to buy anything or not.

13. What are you obsessing about?
I’m obsessed with my fire-escape garden. There is this squirrel, however, that’s been digging up my plants and eating all the bird seed. He's cute, but quickly becoming my arch enemy.