These new retail establishments in NYC bring Japanese-made American 1950’s classics (Self Edge), original design that wasn’t “filling the void of department stores” (Victor Osborne), local hand-made ornaments (Metal and Thread), bespoke tailoring done in a Victorian genteel club-esque room (Against Nature), and denim dresses and corduroys guaranteed in your exact size (JF&Son).

Image: Metal and Thread

I found the coverage of this retail movement on the front page of NYTimes style section, which hopefully indicates the end of an era of upscale, “independent” women’s boutiques that sell the exact same “newest collections” of the “hottest designers of the moment.” To save myself from sounding like a plagiarizing, regurgitating fool, please read the New York Times article here (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/fashion/26STORES.html) for the comprehensive coverage and analysis of this movement.