West Village womenswear boutique Helianthus (“sunflower” in Greek) unveiled a second location in Soho yesterday. The 650-square-foot space is on a beleaguered strip of Spring Street (Little MisMatched, Z’Baby, Von Dutch, Sense of Wonder, and Briel Milano were all recently shuttered nearby), where owner Grace Wang says she’s taking advantage of the plunging rents. The selection at the Spring Street store will be similar to the original outpost, but with a higher-end slant: breezy dresses, skirts, and work-to-weekend tops from labels like Karen Walker, Ulla Johnson, Bensoni, Pencey, Dallin Chase, and Wren. The new space stocks covetable jewelry by Bliss Lau and Iosselliani (which Wang fell for after her boyfriend gave her one of their rings), along with affordable costume baubles from Japanese designers. Wang, a grad from FIT, is also introducing her own line at the new boutique, also called Helianthus. The small debut collection offers funky chiffon, cotton, and silk dresses sporting feminine touches, like vintage lace and subdued ruffles ($100-$250).
Helianthus, 196 Spring St., nr. Sullivan St., 212-966-6435; MS (11:308), Su (noon8).
