One of the joys of The Local Artisan Guide is to pound the pavement walking the neighborhoods of cities and observing what is new, what is still there and what exactly are the trends in small local retail fronts. After being away in the UK for a few months and coming back to my native NYC it was easier for me to observe something that I was becoming aware of for the last two years and that is the proliferation of coffee shops replacing what were small local businesses.

As I walk down some of what were my favorite shopping streets that I could easily locate a row of local artisans, small brands and much needed neighborhood services, I now cannot swing a dead cat without hitting a new coffee shop! Does NYC really need that much caffeine? There are even coffee shops opening up in retail shops and banks! What is sad is that the coffee is even more expensive than ever (probably why they are in business). It’s not just coffee shops that have been popping up like pimples. Vape shops and for some reason a multitude of barbers are also replacing what was once small local brands making the landscape of NYC neighborhoods a odd reflection of the economy which feels like a recession indicator.

There are a sprinkle of new brands opening up small stores, some are European brands trying to get a foothold in the American market. Many iconic stores that have been in their neighborhoods for decades are still surviving as they have developed a devoted following. What I did observe is that vintage shops are now the new retail shop for fashion, accessories and home decor.

New York has always been a Mecca for vintage. Just about every designer knows to come to NYC to shop vintage for inspiration. There are many vintage shops and areas of the city where high end vintage shops have been around for generations. New York City also hosts a plethora of vintage fairs that attract vendors from around the world for a very curative experience of vintage wear.

Now where there usually would be one vintage shop in a neighborhood, there are now an abundance of vintage shops on nearly every street. What is also exciting is that the owners of these stores range from Boomers to Gen Z. These new vintage shops are very curated and specialize in fashion genres. One shop could specialized in vintage denim, another disco wear from the 70’s, another vintage t-shirts, you get the picture. In one of my favorite streets in Soho Village “No Name Vintage” has recently opened and it offers a high quality vintage selection.

No Name Vintage on Thompson Street, SoHo Village, NYC.

One positive aspect of more vintage stores opening up is that it offers a more sustainable business model and encourages recycling of clothing, accessories, footwear and home decor. Maybe in these times of conspicuous consumption this is the new retail world. A world where vintage dominates in smaller neighborhoods. The streets of Broadway, Madison Ave. and Fifth Ave. which showcase the flagships stores of luxury brands and mass produced, fast fashion retail brands may dominate for the herd but discerning shoppers who are more conscious of the issues of mass production.

Some of my favorite destinations for great vintage is East 9th Street in the East Village where some of my favorite shops are Enz’s, Goldwater Thriftque, Studio duArte, Pourquoi Pas, Cobblestone and Cloak and Dagger are just some to name a few.

A special hidden gem of vintage shops that are so discreet is the second floor of 2 Bridge Mall in Chinatown (75 East Broadway), NYC. For those in the know it is considered the “speakeasies” of vintage shops as it from word of mouth or just happening upon this group of highly curated shops that focus mostly on vintage and jewelry. If you need an outfit for Coachella or high end Valentino to impress your clique of fashionistas, 2 Bridge Mall is for you. The sales assistants are very knowledgeable on their curated stock and double as seasoned stylists. You can’t go wrong with the vintage at 2 Bridge and even better are the deals that are available as sometimes (many times) vintage can be ridiculously expensive. Some of the highlights in this Crown Jewels of vintage shops are James Veloria, Bloda’s Choice, Edgar Mosa, Janky Vintage, Reservations Only Vintage, Smurk, Above Chinatown, NSFW, Chérir and many more shops in this Chinatown find.

Nolita, Chelsea, SoHo and the West Village have also had a vintage shop Renaissance. Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope, Bushwick and Brooklyn Heights are also bountiful when it comes to vintage shopping. It is quite unfortunate that rents and production make it hard to have a Brick and Mortar experience as easy as it was just a decade ago. Starting a small business now is not for the light hearted and deserves much support. Maybe even a coffee shop.

By Natalie Rivera

It’s a new year and while we are captivated by world events it’s nice to know that sometimes good news does happen and with that for me was two different couples I know announcing their engagement!

I love weddings. It’s a ceremony celebrating love. You get to dress up, eat good food, dance, get to make new friends, hopefully have a food bar and most of all witness your friends committing themselves in holy matrimony. I love it even more when it is a destination wedding as you get to bond with the other guests in a beautiful setting. I definitely do not like the expense that comes with weddings, even if you are just the guest. However hearing this news from my friends really made my day and think of what I like to call “The Local Artisan Bride”.

The Local Artisan Bride is a woman who takes the road less traveled when it comes to her wedding dress. She loves shopping for small, local, artisanal brands and also is open to recycled gowns whether they are vintage or just a few years old. She desires to look and feel like herself and veers away from the cookie cutter bride. She is open to have a dress created custom just for her or even adapting an older dress, say her mom’s wedding dress. She doesn’t need to go to Kleinfeld and there be a bride on a conveyor belt losing all originality.

With that said, we are going to highlight some small bridal brands in all price ranges that will ensure when a bride walks down the aisle she will be remembered for her unique beauty and originality.

DIVINE ATELIER

Divine Atelier is a Romanian based bridal atelier led by designer Mara Cosleacara and her mother Lumi, founder of the brand. They designs dresses that are minimalist, romantic and unique. The dresses are very bohemian (well Romanian is where the Bohemians come from after all) yet very fluid and simple in design. What I love about Divine Atelier is that as beautiful as the dresses are, the bride shines through. The brand works with fabric producers that respect and comply with ethical standards using mainly natural materials and artisanal techniques as that is what their brides demand. Together Mara and Lumi create simple yet complex dresses that exude romance and emotion. The collection is entirely created in their atelier in Brasov with a crew of talented female artisans. Luckily the brand is represented in showrooms in Europe, the USA and Asia.

THE DANES, NYC

For those in the know in the NYC fashion scene there is a designer that is a well kept secret. It’s The Danes NYC, a small couture atelier located in the garment district that caters to women for gowns and bridal gowns. The designer Robert Danes has been designing gowns since the 90’s and is a feature favorite at Bergdorf Goodman and Neimans. Originally trained as an architect, Danes starting experimenting with designing gowns where he created his signature bias cut (something copied by many other famous designers). With his reputation growing Robert Danes started his atelier and since then has created beautiful, sophisticated gowns that are magnificently tailored (Danes has very talented seamstresses at his atelier) and make a woman feel beautiful and confident (I say this being the owner of such a beautiful Danes NYC dress). The wedding dresses are perfect for a bride whether she is having a sophisticated city wedding, a countryside wedding or a beach wedding. The bridal dresses are very flowy, silky and light which make it perfect for a beachside wedding. If your wedding is on the small side it also is perfect as he does not design big poofy dresses. Also Danes in not averse to creating a bespoke gown where the bride gets to give her input on how she would like to look like.

MARYLISE BRIDE

Marylise is a Belgian family business that has specialized for decades in the design and production of high-quality wedding dresses including a great fit. Starting as a hat shop in 1926, and subsequently evolved into a wholesale bridal accessories company with its own small bridal collection, it then expanded to the atelier known today. The percentage of sustainable dresses within the brand grows every year. And they do it all on-demand in their own atelier, in Portugal, counting on an experienced team of seamstresses to bring the most challenging designs to life. Also, they give preference to fabric suppliers that are close and try to keep everything as local as possible. We love the “Jackson” bridal gown! Jackson is a long sleeved beauty with a slight fishtail style. The top has a deep plunge and a keyhole open back. Both the back and bishop sleeves are made from see through lace. The lace also appears on the back of the train. We have never seen anything like it as it is sexy, elegant and very modern.

MAISON SAFIYAA

For the unconventional modern bride who eschews wearing a dress, we have the most stunning bridal jumpsuit from Maison Safiyaa. Daniela Karnuts founded Safiyaa in 2011 with a bespoke take on modern elegance. Named after her daughter and meaning purity, Safiyaa was created by a woman, for women. Daniela’s belief is to refine, rather than define, a woman’s stylistic expression. Crafted from start to finish by a single artisan, every piece reflects the beauty and masterful skill behind producing it. Safiyaa connects a traceable line between craftsmanship and innovation, where sustainability meets luxury and individuality is celebrated. By connecting the client to the maker, Safiyaa honors human creativity while eliminating overproduction and textile waste. The “Manore Ivory Embroidered Harness” is a statement high neck cape with curved line opening in ivory Heavy Crepe with crystal Broken Jewelry embroidery. If you want to look like a modern super heroine bride, then this is the jumpsuit for you.

LOULETTE BRIDE

You can’t write about The Local Artisan Bride without mentioning Loulette Bride! Loulette Bride was founded by Marteal Mayer after a disappointing foray into fast fashion Marteal turned to the absolute opposite end of the fashion spectrum: made to order, customizable bridalwear. Loulette Bride is New York’s destination for inclusive, sustainable, intentional wedding design. Loulette Bride is an independent, designer bridal boutique in Brooklyn, New York. Each and every Loulette Bride garment is made with integrity, inclusivity, responsibility, and lots of love in their Brooklyn studio. Their styles feature funky textures, recycled and natural fabrics, and unique French laces in effortlessly cool silhouettes that are sophisticated, yet fun, fresh, playful, and comfortable. They are dedicated and believe in inclusive design, so each style is designed to fit everybody, on any skin tone. They can customize to any measurement, or transform any style into a jumpsuit option. At Loulette Bride, they do everything they can to be sustainable and responsible. For every gown sold, a tree is planted in that bride’s name with One Tree Planted. Each season, they partner with a new charity that shares their values to continue their mission of changing the fashion industry and improving their community, one dress as a time. Above all, they value sustainability and inclusivity, and support and stand with the LGBTQ+ community. With that said we are featuring the “Julia” gown which features their most structured bodice yet- a basque waist, paneled corset bodice with a tie back closure. Dripping in romantic details, the Julia Gown features a gathered skirt in a blush-tone floral jacquard fabric, and of course, hand-painted floral details in tones of sienna, marigold, ivory, and mossy green. As part of the collection The Art Department, 5% of proceeds from our Julia Gown will be donated to Women Deliver, a nonprofit that plays a pivotal role in global collective action for gender equality by protecting and promoting the bodily autonomy of girls, women, and gender-diverse people. Has there ever been a bridal dress that gives back so much?

ETSY, EBAY, POSHMARK, THEREALREAL, 1STDIBS AND VINTAGE

Vintage 1960s XS/S Handmade Cotton Prairie Mock Neck Wedding Dress, Etsy, $411

Our last suggestion and the one with best savings and value is a second hand, used or vintage wedding dress. To recycle a wedding dress is one of the most sustainable decisions you can make for your wedding and the planet. There are many ways to do this and we recommend Etsy, Ebay, Poshmark, TheRealReal, 1stDibs and any vintage store or market near you. The variety is great, you can’t beat the price and you bring a dress back to life. It also a good alternative if you need a dress in a hurry as bridal ateliers can take four plus months to create your gowns.

So if you are getting married in the near future and hope to be a “Local Artisan Bride” we hope we educated and informed you on your options and enjoyed our suggestions to become the unique, thoughtful, beautiful bride you desire to be. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

By Natalie Rivera

vintage wedding dresses

The Resilience of Vintage Stores Amongst Vanishing Retail in NYC

THE LOCAL ARTISAN BRIDE