Cool Hunting

Valley, a new retail space in New York City's Lower East Side, aims to create a living room-style atmosphere by creating a one-stop shopping experience, incorporating apparel, a nail and waxing salon and a cafe. The artistically-inspired space will host seasonal art installations and events in attempt to bring clients, friends and community together. Conceived by sisters Julia, 33, and Nina Werman, 30, a former social worker and a member of the Lower East Side Community Board, respectively, “Valley will draw in women from all over as the boutique works to unite some of the rarest treats in fashion, beauty, art and food as well as create a one-of-a-kind space for social culture.”

The Werman sisters' desire to celebrate the artistry of manicures led them to collaborate with Patty Yankee Williams, winner of Nails Magazine's Nail Technician of the Year for 2005/2006. Williams is Valley's Nail Tech Director and has helped them to create a high-end nail salon with manicures that are "like a facial for your nails." Working without acrylics, the nail salon offers airbrushing, jewels, decoupage of real flowers and marble dipsets (nails are actually marbelized by dipping them) to create amazing works of art for your fingertips. Williams herself will also work as a guest nail artist every other Saturday.

The boutique features a well-curated mix of casual-yet-chic clothing from avant-garde fashion designers, as well as popular favorites such as Grey Ant, known for heralding the high-waisted revolution, Ladies of the Canyon's candy-colored jerseys, Deener Denim's updated classics and Carolina K's Bolivian-influenced dresses (pictured left). Jewelry options include the sneaker chain by Lady Leisure (pictured right), inspired by sneakers thrown over telephone wires, which instead of a clasp, secures by a tie of the chain.

During CH's visit to Valley we were treated to a delicious snack called açai—a Brazilian power fruit packed with antioxidants that's gaining popularity in the states— topped the Werman Sisters Mother's Granola. The Werman sisters know the importance of keeping busy shoppers energized and serving food helps them to achieve the homey atmosphere that they strive for.