Showroom Seven Opens Shop: Beyond 7

I've gotten some choice duds at Showroom Seven's sample sales over the years. Imitation of Christ, Issa dresses, a sick Martine Sitbon bag, all in perfect condition and near-wholesale prices. I wasn't sure how to feel about the news of their new retail space. I mean, it's the sample sale prices that set them apart from retailers. But Fashionista reports their designers are doing one-of-a-kind pieces just for this space...

... "As in, you can buy a dress by someone who sells everywhere but still be the only one wearing it. And if you're lucky, one of the major stylists and personal shoppers who spend their days pulling from Showroom Seven will be around for an honest opinion."

Now I love one-of-a-kinds, especially by the kind of talent represented by Showroom Seven, but the idea of getting some free advice from professional stylists excites me quadruply. Even if you have great style, there's nothing like having a pro give you some tips. It's a privilege of the rich and famous. I've totally gotten "freebies" from celebrities' personal shoppers/stylists before. (Tip: If it's pretty quiet, you can graciously ask a stylist for their opinion while their charge is in the dressing room.) They're usually happy to give you a quick opinion. Just remember, they're working so don't interrupt them or latch on to them, and definitely, definitely don't feel like you can hang out with their client just because you've been talking to their stylist.

Beyond 7
263 11th Avenue, near 27th Street
Terminal Warehouse Building
New York, NY

Thanks for the tip, Fashionista!

More Store Openings in the News

Two new indie designer stores are opening on the lower east side in New York City. Lois Eastlund will open her new shop at 153 Ludlow St. in mid- October. She will be carrying her eponymous line of dresses, tunics, and mini-skirts as well as jewelry and handbags from other indie designers. Yumi Kim has officially opened her flagship at 105 Stanton St. today. Her pretty and feminine collection hangs with vintage in a soft setting.

[photo courtesy of nymag.com]

September 25, 2008Sohung Designs Boutique Opens Today

We've always been a fan of Sohung. We remember when he was at the Young Designers Market. Now he's got his own place in the East Village. They grow up so fast.

Today is opening day and you can save 20% from noon-10pm.

Sohung Designs Boutique
312 E. 9th Street b/t 1st & 2nd Aves.
info: 347-564-3551

Grand Dames of Emerging Fashion, May You Rest in Peace

By now you must have heard about the recent closing of independent online boutiques Girlshop and Mighty Flirt. Unsung wishes to commend both for being trailblazers in the industry. For bringing emerging designers to the fashionably wretched and bored. For putting independent designers online long before departments stores jumped on the bandwagon.

Grand dames of emerging fashion, may you rest in peace.

In a creative industry like fashion, however, regeneration is key. Incredible new designers are born every day and this cycle, which has been rapidly expanding for a decade, will continue to flourish. It's like the baby boom of independent fashion.

We love this new era. We love that the young and fresh are able to mix with the classic elite. We love that the little guy/gal's chance at success is on the upswing. We love that fashion has become more attainable: that boutique labels are now in large department stores and the current high-low fad at H&M, Target and Gap.

As much as we love the current climate of fashion, to us, true novelty is still hard to find. We still want access to designers before they get into Barneys or Bloomingdales. We want the newest styles before they become the "it" thing; before corporate suits mark up the pricetags and make them inaccessible to so many of the true style-makers.

Unsung is such a shop. We are relentless in searching for the newest, freshest, most creative, innovative, stylish young designers and getting them to you before they become the next big thing. Shop at Unsung and you won't see yourself coming.

Introducing Ouvrez La Porte

We're truly delighted to announce the arrival of a fabulous new label to Unsung: Ouvrez La Porte. We're huge fans of the collection's beautiful clean lines, retro-inspired designs and luxurious fabrics like silk charmeuse and lace. The talented Karen La Porte makes each piece in her Brooklyn studio. And lucky us, the studio is also a darling shop! Drop by and say hello, and let yourself get lost in the boutique's wonderful treasure trove of independent designer labels mixed with vintage pieces.

Ouvrez La Porte
105 Bond Street
Brooklyn, NY

Or
shop Ouvrez La Porte at Unsung now.