NEW YORK NOW (APRIL-MAY)

DAGNY & BARSTOW
246 Bowery, NY10012 T: 212 675 2346
The owners of this new womenswear boutique, housed in a former nightclub owned by Lenny Kravitz, have reflected their own personal style in the entire collection, and that's good, because they've got great style. Expect to find unique pieces that will make anyone stand out from the crowd and items that you won't find in many of the other boutiques nearby. There's a good balance of designer, vintage and wearable pieces and the odd bit of menswear and art available too.

WARM
181 Mott Street, NY10012 T: 212 925 1200
Proprietor Winnie Beattie has been local to the area for years and her new store has a secret garden in the back and its own scent lingers throughout. The store is designed for those that travel and love adventure and it's not just women's pieces on the rails, there are things for men and the kids too. This season it is all about holidays, lip balms, sundresses, hats and customers are encouraged to hang out in the store, not just shop.

PAST RECOMMENDATIONS

STELLA MCCARTNEY
112 Greene Street, NY10013 T: 212 255 1556
This new, bigger flagship store has been relocated from the Meat Packing District. It's glorious and sparkling, and the dressing rooms are generously spacious, with flattering lighting and sculpted hooks. The usual Stella merchandise and clothing is in abundance and although it is not inexpensive, they do have considerable mark downs at sale time. They also stock her range for children.  

MAJE
145 Spring Street, NY 10012 T: 212 775 8330
Classic laid back French chic has now opened in SoHo, just around the corner from the hotel. As well as high quality women's basics this label always has a selection of forward thinking cuts and shapes. This is the perfect way to bring a bit of Paris into your New York stay.

TOBY'S ESTATE COFFEE
125 North 6th Street, Brooklyn NY 11249 T: 327 457 6160
The Australians really know how to make great coffee and Toby Smith is one of them, in fact he's the main one! After spending time in Brazil and Guatemala on coffee plantations he returned to Sydney to hone his skills. This is his first US outpost, in Williamsburg and the coffee really is excellent.

LOUIS PURPLE
323 Lafayette, NY 10012 T: 646 321 4621
French tailoring for men has arrived in NoLita and now there is no excuse to buy an off-the-rack suit. Everything is made-to-measure using fabrics from England and Italy. The service is fast and the cost is reasonable.

REI
303 Lafayette St nr Houston St, NY 10012 T: 212 680 1938
Rei is housed in the impressive Puck Building. It's the first New York location for outdoor specialists Rei who sell the correct gear for snow sports, camping, cycling, climbing, running, paddleboarding and wilderness wandering. The Puck Building was renovated over a lengthy six months and now you can see large scale images of kayaking and climbing adventures adorning the walls. It's the perfect environment to start feeling a bit more active and plan some major extreme sports.

IVANKA TRUMP FINE JEWELRY
109 Mercer St, nr Spring St NY 10012 T: 212 756 9912
Entrepreneur Ivanka has relocated her Madison Avenue store to a bigger two-storey site in SoHo. The space continues to be packed full of diamonds, black onyx and pearls but now she has added shoes, handbags, apparel and watches to the mix. It's luxury but fun and there's a bridal bar stocked with Champagne for Saturday shopping.  

AESOP
232 Elizabeth Street, NY 10012 T: 877 60 AESOP
This is an Australian export offering delicate skin, hair and body products that are natural in content and in packaging. This compact store creatively uses reclaimed copies of the New York Times as building material showing off the respectful literary image of the brand.  

TOCCA
605 Hudson Street, NY 10014 T: 212 255 3801
This boutique emporium comprises of Tocca, Tocca Beauty and Tocca Bambini. It was started by a group of friends who had a vision for beautiful affordable clothes with designer detailing. Launched back in 1994 it is both romantic and exotic clothing, inspired by travel and family.

ORLA KIELY
5 Mercer Street, NY 10012 www.orlakiely.com
Orla Kiely is an Irish designer based in London and this is her first US standalone store. The winning formula for Kiely's clothes are her quirky but conservative tailoring and bold geometrical prints. Her current line is packed with 50s inspired shift and tea dresses. As well as womenswear there is a homeware collection.

FRYE
at 113 Spring Street at Mercer Street, NY 10012 T: 212 226 3793
Durable boots and leather goods can be found at this classic American shoe store. It's the flagship and first ever store from the brand and it has an environmentally friendly mandate that makes it one of the few stores in Manhattan seeking LEED certification. As well as shoes you can find leather satchels and soon there'll be a gold and silver jewelry line too.

AESA + ELECTRIC FEATHERS
at 35 Crosby Street, NY 10012 T: 212 837 2648
This new store has been conceptualized by friends, Leana Zuniga and Randi Mates. One was originally behind Aesa jewelry and the other behind Electric Feathers fashion. Together it's the perfect union and you can find one-of-a-kind gems and silky dresses.

ARTIZIA
at 524 Broadway, NY 10012 T: 212 334 3255
This Canadian export is yet to fully open on Broadway and currently there is a pop up shop next door (on the third floor), but when it does open it will be a menagerie of pretty, feminine, affordable chic with edgy finishes and cuts.

ANNABELLE
at 105 Stanton Street, NY 10002 T: 646 370 3269
An adorable boutique set up by fashion show winner, Anna McCraney and populated with her own label. Bold prints and block colors fill the racks in this minimalist store that is attracting a growing following.

THE COTTAGE BY TOMMY HILFIGER
in New York City www.tommy.com
This is a pop-up inspired 800 square foot travelling beach cottage that will open somewhere in New York City on April 28. It will be open for a week in Manhattan before travelling to other cities. It is an homage to the preppy classics with the Tommy twist and will be equipped with accessories usually found in the most upscale of East-Hampton country clubs, such as boat shoes, duck boots, Ping-Pong paddles and badminton rackets. Check in with the concierge towards the end of April for news, not to be missed!

THOMAS SIRES
at 243 Elizabeth Street, nr Prince Street, NY 10012 T: 646 692 4472
Colette meets Muji is the feeling one gets when entering this NoLita boutique. Proprietors Fiona Thomas and Allison Sires travelled to Japan and France to put together their Franco-Japanese collection of clothing, toys, knickknacks and trinkets. The collection ranges as much as the prices, from $4 to $880 an item but most things are around the $100 mark. It's great for present buying and general browsing and has a free gift wrapping service with Japanese prints and neon ribbon.

HELMUT LANG AND THEYSKENS' THEORY
at 93 and 93.5 Mercer Street, NY10012 T: 212 242 3240
This is a newly opened concept boutique that pushes the idea of contemporary design in fashion retailing. It fuses two distinct design and style innovations with urban and natural themes. For spring 2011 they have introduced a handbag collection-composed of six styles that pay homage to the iconic distressed, vintage motorcycle jacket.

PLAYMOUNTAIN AT CREATURES OF COMFORT
at 205 Mulberry St T: 212 925 1005
Creatures of Comfort hosts a month long popup direct from Japan. Tokyo design store Playmountain will be selling beautiful giftware throughout February. Think apple-shaped ceramic sugar bowls, detailed cotton shirts, pampas-grass brooms from designers such as Alma Allen, Tembea and Futagami.

THE DRESS PROJECT AT BIRD WILLIAMSBURG
at 203 Grand Street T: 718 388 1655
Brooklyn artists Naomi Clark and Nana Spears have collaborated with designer Lauren Nevada on a collection of oil painted dresses. Taking inspiration from vintage fabrics to create simple shirt dresses, buttoned through the middle and flattering a-line skirts with tie waists. Purchasing pieces should be approached in a similar way to purchasing art!