NYC Private Collection
Neighborhood: East Village
Type of Place: Women's Clothing
Designers
Description:
Yes, gift-giving season has arrived; but along with it comes the season
of the holiday party. So while we're wondering what Aunt Eileen,
Cousin Sammy, or our best friend's boyfriend might want, we're also facing
the tricky question of what we will wear.
We want to look appropriate but not boring and festive but not
ridiculous. We want not to freeze our kishkes off. And we want to retain a
positive bank balance even after we're done shopping. It can seem a tall
order. But I found a shop that, though small, will go far toward filling
it. And--at the moment they're having a big sale.
I ducked into Private Collection because it seemed to offer a variety
of styles and levels of formality. And indeed it does, but it's got
something else--a boutique-wear "secret weapon"--that makes it all the more
of a one-stop-shopping destination. One of its designers, Kedem
Sasson, creates everything to be one-size-fits-all. And his clothes are not
the shapeless sacks such sizing implies; they're beautifully cut and
artfully put together. I was immediately drawn to a long black gown with a
stretch-cotton bodice and a full, tiered silk skirt (normally $249,
now 30% off). Wrap a shawl around your shoulders, pile as many layers as
you want under the skirt, and you're good to go. Sasson also makes tops
and, somewhat shockingly, pants. (One-size-fits-all pants? They just
might work; you've got to see them to believe.)
A designer called Lia also caught my eye: I loved her long-sleeved
satin blouses in green, plum, or black (now 15% off $117); her sleeveless
tunic in olive or brown with a pretty (not tacky) rhinestone bar (15%
off $282); and her cotton wrap-around top that can be worn multiple ways
(the saleswoman helpfully demonstrated this, and it looked fantastic!),
in seafoam green or royal blue with gold sequins (60% off $115).
From Keren Naftali, I liked a sleeveless silver tunic (40% off $110) as
well as grey leggings with silver at the waist and ankles (also
available in black with gold trim, and a steal at 60% off $90). And a
long-sleeved scoop-neck blouse with subtle silver flecks, in black or beige,
from Donna Ashkenasi (40% off $105) will take you from the office to the
office party with no trouble at all.
To complete your outfit, there's a small but cute selection of
lingerie, jewelry, and bags. I picked up a pretty black necklace, another
wear-many-ways item that would go with just about any evening ensemble, and
was astonished to see that it was $45. And a sweet light-purple crystal
choker, which will take you from winter into the spring and summer,
was a very reasonable $78.
A tiny store with boutique-level style, wide-ranging options, and
serious practicality? Who knew--but there it is; done. Now for your college
roommate's child's present....
- Pamela Grossman; Nov 25, 2007
NYC Private Collection
312 East 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-473-2762
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