New stores in Noho are pointing to an exciting start to the fall season. And they are all adding something to the NYC mix, including a very big international outpost, several cool smaller well-stocked boutiques and sneaker emporiums, and an interesting reboot. From super casual to dressed to the nines, from home grown stores to fresh arrivals from Europe, from luxury designers to affordable and relatable clothing and accessories, it is the diversity of offerings that makes shopping in New York so much fun. There really is something for everyone.
LuisaViaRoma, one of the fashion world’s fave shopping destinations, has opened a very large outpost on Bond Street. The Florentine multibrand luxury retailer has always been on the cutting edge; they were one of the first brands to sell on their own website, launching it in 1999. And the store in Florence has done nothing but grow since it was founded in 1929. The original store, and two others in Florence, are now joined by a NYC-based sibling. The large enterprise is a family-owned success.
The cool design is similar to the look of the Italian stores. If your idea of luxury is wasted space, you will be happy here (the previous tenant here was Blick art supplies). There are spacious areas for men and for women.
Looks are sparingly placed around the boutique. The stairs behind the glass lead to a floor that is devoted to private styling for clients. Store consultants work to introduce you to new products and ideas. And there are luxe dressing rooms, too.
The women’s department is full of every luxury label from the US and all over the map. Items are carefully placed on the rails. Accessories and jewelry are placed carefully on shelves and in cases around the store.
There are plenty of jeans and casual clothing, with good sneakers to pair with them. Luisaviaroma is also known for its interesting items for the home, and for luxury children’s wear.
More elegant and dressed up clothing for women is also available. Finish your look with interesting shoes and bags. The labels you love are here.
Luisaviaroma trys to be as sustainable as possible. They are doing a collaboration with Vestaire Collective by offering luxury pre-worn clothing. This is an interesting idea that is spreading.
These are some of their Margiela bags. Many other designers like Gucci, Chloe, Balenciaga and more are also available.
The men’s selection has many moods too. The looks are definitely on the more relaxed side. There are also many interesting Italian labels not often found in the States. And some of them are in the contemporary price point.
These looks are from Maison Margiela. The brand has much on display all over the store now. Luisaviaroma is thriving as many of its international competitors, like Matches Fashion, are shuttering. With its focused approach to a lot of fashion, LVR is setting a standard. Nice to welcome them to NYC.
LuisaViaRoma, 1 Bond Street
J.Crew has been on a roll, too. After exploding and then bottoming out with a bankruptcy in 2020, the brand is back, and it’s better than ever. Many of their stores were closed, and now new and improved stores are appearing. An intriguing men’s store opened in Noho. Brendon Babenzien created a buzz when he became head of men’s wear a few years ago. He was well known for having designed Supreme years ago, and then starting his own business, Noah, cooly mixing street style with a solid men’s collection. He definitely brought his vision with him.
Shoppers are welcome to enjoy themselves. A full coffee bar greets you as you walk into the store, with a unique selection of books and magazines engage the customer. The collection does have a slightly new direction. If the very original J.Crew embodied the idea of prep, the new version is a bit more interesting than that. While there are a few women’s looks tucked here and there, this store is for men.
The ground floor carries casual clothing. There are shirts in solids and patterns, pants in various cuts, and classic outdoor jackets with a twist. There is also a selection of shoes; something new.
The downstairs has a much clubbier feel, with a bar along the wall. This location has a full range of the different cuts and fits of jacket and suits. The fabric seems to be of a better quality, too.
There are dress shirts and ties to round out the look. This is a much expanded version of suiting than existed in the past. J.Crew seems serious about more tailored dressing. Has the brand grown up?
There are still cashmere sweaters, as well as merino and cottons. This boutique also offers collaborations with other designers, like Bunger Surf Shop and Beams. They have created a classic-with-a-twist world. Everyone loves a good comeback story.
J.Crew Men, 19 Bond Street
J.Crew has also opened a new women’s store, bringing the label back to downtwon. This store is more open than the men’s store above. There is a new design director here, too. She has focused on clean, modern basics.
There are many jackets and suiting looks here as well as a large assortment of cashmere sweaters. You will find classic cashmeres in a range of colors, and there are also fluffier brushed cashmere styles, too.
There are lots of variations of jackets and blazers. With plenty of shirts to go under them. There is a men’s department downstairs, but it is not as complete as the Bond Street location.
A mini denim department is towards the back of the store. Different styles and washes are displayed along with denim jackets and shirts. Stripe and solid tees are also here.
You will find shoes at the very back of the store. Boots, loafers and low heels prevail. And there is now a selection of handbags. Everything to complete a polished look.
The table after table of basic tees of yore is gone from the new J.Crew. Now, employees frequently change out the looks on mannequins in the store displays. A tweaked version of J. Crew is here, and it looks good.
J. Crew, 75 Spring Street
NN. 07 is a Danish men’s brand that is growing. The letters translate to No Nationality. They have a healthy web business as well as multiple brick-and-mortar stores across Scandinavia and in England. The look is tailored casual.
While not preppy, again, it is not street style. There are suede jackets, easy blazers, boiled wool jackets and lots of fluffy knits for fall. And a nice selection of coats and technical jackets. The shop itself is small, and well designed.
They call their stores concept stores. The concept is clean, comfortable clothes that fit well. For example, they offer several different fits of pants to accommodate different body types.
There is a great selection of clothing in a very tight space. Available in-store only is a display of small things for the home and personal products. And they also sell very practical totes.
NN. 07, 276 Lafayette Street
Across the street is another Scandi label, Axel Arigato. This is a cult sneaker brand for men and women. There are styles for running, and there are styles for living.
The clothing is located at the back of the store, accommodating both men and women. But most of product in store looked like men’s wear. Hopefully the racks will be full of more styles soon.
Some of the styles are made for both men and women, with additional styles for each available. The store decor and layout is definitely more sophisticated than most sneaker emporiums.
Although the store had just opened, it was full of customers trying things on; and buying. Always a good sign. The brand is extremely popular in Europe, and its reputation obviously precedes it — only to be enhanced in New York.
Axel Arigato, 273 Lafayette Street
