The brainchild of former sorority sisters Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley, this dual-floor boutique has been a downtown style draw since its 1999 opening. With red railings, lavender floors and a sloping Lucite roof, the store feels like a futuristic, pop-art candy store for fashion junkies; there’s even a small display of gumballs and Swedish fish to match. Carrying a well-edited collection of clothing, jewelry and accessories from avant-garde designers like Balenciaga, Tuleh and Derek Lam, the store attracts stylists, editors and well-off women of all ages seeking the new must-have handbag or buzz-worthy label. Downstairs, find outfits for the sophisticated baby, as well as women’s swimwear, lingerie, and a collection of fanciful pet accessories. — Carolyn Murnick
I re-discovered Kirna Zabete when searching the web for stores to buy the designs of Clements Ribeiro. The store thoughtfully offers local and independent designer pieces on the rack as well, for those of us who will spend twice the medium on honest artistic talent (while keeping a few strong pieces in the wardrobe and wisely making the rest from scratch) One designer piece will keep a broke fashion lover happy for weeks! Pick up your shoes from Otto Tootsie Plohound right in the neighborhood(and check out Joseph Debach-Roma to access stunning atelier status shoes for women AND men...Similar boutiques would include Hedra Prue, (although the buying experience is more personal at HPrue-the service being more chic than sweet at KZabete)Go for it-but start sketching on the train -your portfolio may come in handy (as well as your resume)tee hee.
I love this store. Although the selection is not big, you can always manage to find something unexpected that you simply have to have. Great shopping place, just not if you're on a tight budget!