Cool Hunting

Two new boutiques recently broke ground on the Lower East Side. Williamsburg antiques dealers Moon Rhee and designer Hey Ja Do were bored with the typical local vintage store fare. Now, their newly opened DEAR:55 on Clinton Street with its gleaming spaceship white glow, offers a modern twist on the norm. Inside the alabaster space is a meticulous selection of vintage and current collections, including Vivienne Westwood and Rick Owens plus Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons from the '80s. Stay tuned for Dear's contrasting men's store all in black.

Over on Stanton Street, the LES welcomes another newcomer: Travessia. Owner and artist, Hiroko Rodriguez, opened her store/gallery to address the continual overlap of fashion and art. Striking a balance between antique and industrial, Travessia's dark stained floors, found furnishings, and antique letterpress trays holding Klasica jewelry, create a homey vibe that's clean and uncomplicated. The first installation, featuring the works of Julia Chang and Harumi Ori, is set alongside T-shirts by Klasica, bird print dresses by Custommade, and a bubble-sleeve blouses by Baum Und Pferdgarten.

by Lisa Dionisio