Profile

Ten years ago, there was nothing called Nolita. There was a neighborhood with butchers and markets, and the occasional little storefront that served as an incubator for a fledgling designer. These days, it's crowded, polished, and rich, with big labels and corporate backers behind every gaudy storefront. So thank God for Lyell. The Elizabeth Street dress shop started by designer Emma Fletcher carries her small, feminine line of dresses and blouses, and a well-curated collection of vintage clothes, shoes, and jewelry. It's one of the last bastions of the creative and original spirit that turned this block into the destination that it is.