Profile

Stashed in a parking garage on a nondescript block, Oak is easy to miss. There's no sign, and you'll only obscurely glimpse the stacks of denim and floaty, printed blouses through its gallery-like façade. What is hidden inside, though, is one of Brooklyn's best-kept secrets—an unexpected mix of both established and up-and-coming designers for men and women in an unpretentious and hip (but not too hip) setting. The loft-like aerie, which eschews fanciful décor for minimalist metals, has racks brimming with reliable basics, from Unis for the guys to feminine, handcrafted pieces from Brooklyn–based Vena Cava for the ladies. After originally opening two locations separately as men's and women's shops, owners Jeff Madalena and Louis Terline opted to fuse the two inventories in each of the stores. The sizeable Williamsburg store carries a wider selection, with Jeffrey Campbell shoes, 3.1 Philip Lim bags, and Giles & Bro. jewelry peering out from underneath glass countertops. Conveniently, both locations sell the duo's new denim line, aptly named Oak when it debuted in early 2007. — Alexis Brunswick