Hot Shop: A Sneak-Peek At Brit-Boutique Any Old Iron

By: Kristian Laliberte

We're not trying to be anti-patriotic, but there are some major Anglophiles here at the office that dream about Dover Street Market, tea at Fortnum & Mason, and being besties with Cheryl Cole. So, when we found out that an in-the-know Brit, stylist Andrew Clancey, was opening a retail outlet specializing in UK-specific menswear and rare vintage items, we let out a resounding huzzah! Any Old Iron is named after an old English music hall song referencing a fine young dandy, which is pretty appropriate given that it sells mod-inspired duds for dudes, plus a thoughtfully curated selection of flea market finds and rare antiques that all live in a store that would be at home on Brick Lane. Don't worry, it's not just a boys' club, Clancey stocks some Sgt. Pepper-type jackets from Sir Tom Baker, a killer umbrella line, plus Child of Jago (the brainchild of Joe Corre, son of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren) and Unconditional tees that will have you counting your pounds.

Nine R29 readers will score invites to the private opening party tomorrow night. Be one of the first to re-tweet @refinery29 with this link to win! We'll Direct Message you if you're a winner.

It gets better— one local reader will win the ultimate in Anglo awesomeness. Be the FIRST person to tweet @refinery29 with this link and you'll win an invite to the party, a bottle of Belvedere, and a swe-et gift bag filled with a t-shirt, cds, magazines, and more.

Any Old Iron Opening Party
March 11
7-9 p.m.
Jam to Brit tunes (think Iggy Pop and Oasis) and enjoy complimentary Belvedere cocktails.
149 Orchard Street, (between Stanton and Rivington streets); 212-254-4404
anyoldiron.net

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Project No. 8 Launches Online Shopping Site!

Project No. 8, Brian Janusiak and Elizabeth Beer's cooler-than-thou Chinatown boutique, has been a Refinery fave since it opened, and now people outside of New York can get in on the pair's sartorial savvy. For the first time, non-locals can reap the benefits of the duo's killer eye with the launch of their online shop, simply titled projectno8.com. Expect to see clothing, accessories, and housewares from the likes of Maison Martin Margiela, Jane D'Arensbourg, Bless, Fabrics Interseason, and Brian and Elizabeth's own label, Various Projects.

Project No. 8, 138 Division Street (between Ludlow and Orchard streets); (212) 925-5599

From Paris With Love! Yves Saint Laurent's Stefano Pilati Creates A Capsule Collection For Atelier New York

By: Kristian Laliberte

Stefano Pilati is no stranger to menswear—17 years ago, he was Giorgio Armani's right hand man on the cutting room floor. Since then, he's made YSL everyone's favorite brand and has looked h-o-t doing it. Starting March 1, he's giving us another habit to kick, in the form of his capsule collection for Constantin Von Haeften and Karlo Steel's downtown concept store Atelier. The fave spot of choice for dudes from Antwerp who favor the black and drapey aesthetic (think designers like Ann Demeulemeester and Faliero Sarti), Pilati will create 129 exclusive pieces in cashmere, gabardine, and light wool available in tones of—what else—gray and black. If it's anything like his Nightingale bag, we're sold.

The collection will retail for $595—$3,695 and will be available March 1.

Atelier New York, 304 Hudson Street, (at Spring Street); 212-914-8435; for more info, check out ateliernewyork.com.

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Atelier Mayer Brings London Vintage to NYC at Takamichi Pop-Up Shop

By: Kristian Laliberte

It seems like everywhere we turn, we see a pop-up shop; Ranging from the fun (TenOverSix inside the Future Perfect) to the frigid (Target's holiday pop-up under the High Line). London vintage e-shop Atelier Mayer takes this a bit farther for its upcoming New York stint, choosing to set up at high-end Japanese hair salon Takamichi Hair. The thinking is that they share a dedication to the bespoke experience; For instance, If you want to get your vintage on, and maybe get a chop to match, head to Takamichi to browse some of Atelier Mayer's select pieces from their extensive 20th century archive, including rare designs by Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. Just don't complain if there's some hair on your Biba.

The pop-up will be open from Monday, February 15 to Wednesday the 17th, from 10am to 7pm. You can browse Atelier Mayer's full inventory of luxury vintage at atelier-mayer.com.
Takamichi Hair, 35 Great Jones Street
212-420-7979 takamichihair.com.

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TenOverSix Brings Us Cali-Love With Their New NYC Pop-Up

Every time it snows, we wish we were catching a wave on Hermosa Beach. Though we're not cool enough to be bi-coastal, we can get our Cali fix at TenOverSix, a West Coast boutique popping up at design store Future Perfect today. The 2-month installation will feature their exclusive in-house collection; think Cheetah-print pumps, candy-colored suede shoes, and gritty Motorcycle jackets. Plus, they've brought along some faves from L.A.—Malin neon lace necklaces, sunnies from L.A. Eyeworks, Castle Door CDs, edgy magazine Jacques and WOW limited edition artist beach towels.

TenOverSix Pop-up at The Future Perfect, 55 Great Jones Street, (between Bowery and Lafayette streets); 212-473-2500.

Brooklyn Boutique Mafalda Gives Local Vintage An Upgrade

By: Christene Barberich

We know good vintage when we see it. Which is why there was no way we weren't going to notice the ridiculously beautiful embroidered Oscar de la Renta skirt taunting us in the window of the newly opened Mafalda in Boerum Hill. Having recently taken up residence in Sir's old spot, the new Brooklyn addition brings vintage appreciation to a whole new level. Thanks to owner Christina Kolbe (a former model and buyer at Steven Alan), the store's spare but spectacular stock really allows her singular pieces to shine; in particular, a Thierry Mugler jacket and an exquisite Mexican wedding dress from the '50s, which--with good reason--she's hesitant to sell. Her less-is-more approach makes us think all you true vintage whores out there oughta get over to Mafalda asap. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Mafalda, 360 Atlantic Avenue (between Hoyt and Bond Streets), Brooklyn.

Click through for our interview with Christina!

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The Top Ten Store Openings of 2009

By: Michelle Christina Larsen

Fact: We love to shop. Creative, well-curated merchandise really puts the dollar-sign sparkle in our eyes. And as boutique owners get more innovative with their inventory, we're pegging targets on our radar where our enthused consumer tendencies can be put to good use. And despite all the bitter 2009 economy talk, it was a sweet year for new store openings, not to mention a handful of expansions on our pre-existing favorites. The best of the best popped up in New York, L.A., and, surprise!, Tokyo. Here we highlight our top ten, and raise our glasses to a new year of micro-economics!

New York City

No 8b, 38 Orchard Street (at Hester Street); 212-925-5599. www.projectno8.com



Shopping is getting good in the L.E.S., and No. 8b is definitely one more reason to stroll downtown on pay-day. This offshoot of boutique No. 8 is a menswear-stocking sibling, armed with a variety of local and global labels in clothing and accessories, from Raf Simons for Eastpak to Natalia Brilli of Paris. Photo by Seon Kwon.

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