Sophia Eugene

Sophia Eugene

Photo: Cititour.com

Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Type of Place: Women's Clothing

Description:
New year; new chances; new perspectives; and, tapping into all of the above, a new presidential administration. If you're a gal who has found herself invited to an inaugural celebration, I've got a great shop for you. And apart from inaugural invites, there could be Valentine's Day celebrations, winter weddings, or tickets to the theater coming--heck, there could be an event in your own honor; one of my fellow shoppers was a scientist looking for a dress to wear to a reception honoring her achievements in cancer research.

Whatever your celebration, the cozy and elegant Sophia Eugene Boutique has you covered. If you're looking for Ms. Eugene, I'm afraid you won't find her: The line is named for the two favorite potential-baby names of its designer, Christopher Crawford. But if you're looking for a unique and beautiful dress, you've surely come to the right place.

I loved all the designs here; and the store's navigable size makes them easy to see and appreciate. Surefire successes (most designed to knee length): a grey velvet cowlneck dress with cap sleeves ($298), with a matching jacket adorned with a lush bow ($320); a strapless grey-silk and silver-metallic party dress ($276, also available in champagne); a grey-and-white silk tie-dye-like pinafore with discreet ruffles (youthful, sophisticated, and charmingly hippie-ish, all at once); and a strapless black silk-tafetta and herringbone-velvet number. (I was so busy admiring these last two that I forgot to record their prices.) To keep you warm, there's a brown and white faux-fur coat that feels like the real deal, sans cruelty ($399). And for less formal times, there's a tote bag ($25) from the designer's Christopher Deane line. Decorated with "I Heart" and a blank line (you can fill in your loves with a sharpie), it's an environmental way to offer a vote of confidence; and 20% of bag proceeds go to the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (www.ftpf.org).

Actress Mary Louise Parker has called the designs here "Eugenious." (Oh, and how could I forget--you could have Academy Award festivities to attend!) However you choose to describe them, it seems likely that you'll heart Sophia Eugene. A word to the wise: A sample sale is coming down the pike. More on that as the date draws near.   - Pamela Grossman; Jan 4, 2009

Sophia Eugene
37 Cornelia Street
(Bleecker and W. 4th)
New York, NY 10014
xxx-xxx-xxxx
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