Here’s Lo-Down contributor Jessica Delfino’s weekly roundup of Lower East Side shops, sales and new collections.
Style Room New York City Shopping Tour Experiences – I met fashion world veteran Karen Parker O’Brien at a ladies luncheon and that is how I got invited to take part in one of those cool, hidden NYC things that you only stumble upon through sheer luck or by being in the know. Karen leads customized shopping tours for groups (1-20 people) through hidden showrooms and private work spaces run by jewelry and clothing designers, including some in our neck of the concrete in Soho and Chinatown. Shop-til-you-droppers are picked up in luxury vehicles, treated to gourmet snacks and shop at a discount from emerging designers who sell to Barney’s, Scoop and Intermix and are featured in Vogue, Elle and Lucky. Tours run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays for larger groups and by request.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh (123 Norfolk St.) Modern design elements are incorporated everywhere in the vast, moody storefront on the Lower East Side—space seems to be a common theme, whether it’s in the form of the transparent Oxfords that had me at hello ($391), the tidy bowling bag purse ($550) or the window with a view of nothing and everything, all at once. If I were rich, this place would definitely be my mainstay. This weekend, you can enjoy 30% off most of the store. Hey, every little bit helps. Maryam Nassir Zadeh is open 7 days, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A. Turen (85 Stanton St.) Bright colors are a big part of both vintage and contemporary style right now. Maybe the summer has something to do with it, maybe everyone is trying to be heard, whether it’s through music, art or fashion. If you walk by A.Turen, the first thing you’ll see is a beautiful, day glo orange fabric spider web in the window, let your eye follow that into the door and find yourself surrounded by men’s and women’s wear of several eras. Enjoy 10%-30% off if you visit their website. A. Turen is closed on Mondays, open Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cohen’s Fashion Optical (117 Orchard St.) Glasses have gotten a nice little face lift (no pun intended) in recent years. Even people who don’t wear glasses are wearing glasses, which is probably music to the ears (via the cha-ching-ing of their cash registers) to the several glasses outlets in the neighborhood, in addition to newer ones that’ve popped up (such as Warby Parker, etc). But Cohen’s has been around for awhile, 85 years, in fact on the good old lower east side. They are currently offering a $20 eye exam, plus $100 off a pair of glasses plus a free 2nd pair. Cohen’s Fashion Optical is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Jessica Delfino is a comedic musician who has lived and performed in the LES for like, forever. She first fell in love with beautiful clothing as a kid when her mom let her dress up in her vintage stash. Jessica was called “One of NY’s 50 Most Fashionable People” by Time Out NY. Check her out at here or email her at: jessica@thelodownny.com. She’s also @JessicaDelfino on Twitter.
