Shopping in New York can uncover a sea of sameness. Department and specialty stores are veritable clones, so to dress slightly differently, you’ve got shop at out of the way stores or even flea markets.
Luckily, there’s a new store that specializes in one-of-a-kind and unique items without breaking your budget. 30 Vandam, located on Vandam Street just off Sixth Avenue in west SoHo, is a 5,000 square foot shoppers’ paradise featuring 53 young and up-and-coming designers.
Owner Paul Berman set out to create a concept that would appeal to designers and consumers. “I saw a void for young designers to sell clothing. There’s a mess of talent out there,” however, boutiques and bigger stores have a hard time dealing with the small production of young designers.
“I wanted to offer customers the opportunity to buy great things at affordable prices. Everything in the store is unique.”
Men’swear includes everything from classic tailored suits to graffiti-artist made street wear. Women’swear, which takes up the majority of the store, ranges from specially made couture to T-shirts and everything in between, many of which can be purchased for under $100. Because many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind, you have to spend time culling through the racks on a regular basis. “It’s like finding a diamond in the rough,” Berman said of the treasures on his racks.
On a quick trip through the store, you’ll find pieces made of vintage fabrics by Mel Enstel, brightly colored felt hats and coats by Tolonen, separates in natural fibers by Cool Not Cruel, gorgeous knits from Butter by Nadiatorr and Chris Barreto, a favorite of the Dixie Chicks. “Since we’ve been open, we’ve been inundated with stylists,” shopping for celebrities, Berman said.
There’s also darling hand-knit children’s clothing by Monica Mahoney. And fitting in with the store’s philosophy on unique, it has a small vintage section. West Village chocolate shop, the Chocolate Bar, will have an outpost at 20 Vandam and the store sells flowers by Storm Martensen Flowers. To contribute to the bazaar feeling, the store has a DJ on the weekends.
30 Vandam (30 Vandam St., ([212] 929-6454) is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays (Monday is by appointment only). Store hours will be extended during the holiday shopping season with some shopping nights running to 10 pm.