Text, J. Ecochard
Images Courtesy of Elizabeth Charles and Youth World
It sometimes seems like sunny LA has cornered the US market on relaxed shopping with small hands-on owner boutiques gracefully stocked with under-the-radar labels and friendly trained staff.
New Yorkers are finally getting their due with (T.G!) the trend away from cold industrial space shells with shelves- to warm, welcoming retail environs.
One of our hometown favorites is the newish Elizabeth Charles boutique on Hudson Street in downtown Manhattan. Curated by Wall Street refugee, the eponymous titled, intimate store sells previously unheard of designers ...and a few known favorite types… from New Zealand and Australia.
We enjoyed a complimentary caffeine jolt on the first day of Spring 2008- as we browsed the well stocked but not over stacked racks carrying hot weather finery.
HOT LOOKS: Functional fashion zippers on garb from young talent Kim Ellery, casual white summer tops from Kirrily Johnson, the cool modern classics of Therese Rawsthorne’s Youth World, and Thurley’s sultry feminine frocks.