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• April 20, 2006
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Just Opened: Odin, Lafayette Street

by Jonathan Forgang

As the men's clothing category has continued to evolve and flourish, the East Village men's boutique Odin, which opened in 2004, has simultaneously inspired a fervent cult following. Due to an overwhelming demand from a community of customers who finally found their menswear mecca, Odin has opened a second, larger store on Lafayette Street.

The formula for this new store stays true to the original: hip menswear that is consummately wearable. Both stores will carry some of the same stock, but many of the pieces will be exclusive to each location. The expansive new store is light-filled and punctuated by elegant, organic details such as handmade ceramic antler chandeliers and the building's original wooden columns that date back to the building's construction at the turn of the century. As always, though, it is Odin's impeccable selection of menswear that really shines. From the Rogues Gallery reversible blanket bags (fashioned from vintage plaid blankets) to the Robert Moy paperclip-adorned necklace, much of the merchandise is unique and exceptional.

Like the original shop, there are plenty of designers who can only be found in the U.S. under Odin's roof. In particular, we love Nepenthes New York and its subsidiary S2W8, two Japanese lines with clothes that evoke a postmodern version of the L.L. Bean catalog (from the same people who make Engineered Garments). While all of these names are well-known in Japan, Americans have yet to set eyes on their incredible tailored menswear and utilitarian offerings. Another exclusive are the Salvor traditional Japanese robes: Each garment is limited-edition and hand-dipped during the dyeing process. In addition to Commes de Garcons wallets, the new space will also carry a new line of smaller leathergoods called Needles, a recent Odin discovery. Personally, we can't wait for the Umbro by Kim Jones World Cup line, designed especially for the English World Cup team and featuring fashionable sportswear including colorful polos and shorts. But with all of the incredible inventory the store's owners Eddy Chai and Paul Birardi have promised us in the coming year, we know that our latest Odin obsession is bound to change weekly. As Eddy told us, "We see the store as an opportunity to get deeper into different collections and as the year progresses we will expand our selections in every category."

The new Odin store is located at 199 Lafayette Street; www.odinnewyork.com.

Because every man needs plenty of good options for getting dressed, the new NYC Odin store breaks ground on Lafayette.