Sales & Shopping

April 25, 2007

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Shops We Love

Shops We Love: Kaight

Fair trade—and worthy fashion—on Orchard Street is more than its own reward. By Laurel Pinson

When Kaight owner Kate McGregor initially envisioned an eco-friendly boutique, she saw it in L.A., where the green movement had seriously taken root. Thankfully, she decided that a fair-trade boutique in New York would be a little more interesting. "Everyone here is so engaging, especially in this neighborhood," she says. "There's a real sense of community here. People have boundaries a lot more in L.A., I think, because of the car culture." After a pause, she grins and says, "I could never leave New York."

As it happens, the breezy, loft-style space offers something for conscientious and discerning shoppers alike. A sturdy worktable finds organic cotton jeans from Loomstate and Serfontaine piled next to beachy glass cases framing one-of-a-kind jewelry crafted from found antiques by Jami Rodriguez, as well as with glittering vintage creations from Lulu Frost. Standouts on the racks include Linda Loudermilk dresses, Lara Miller crochet wraps, KRELwear knits made from mill-end (scrap) yarn especially for Kaight and a floral sundress from designer Bahar Shahpar.

Claudette's silk vintage dresses are eye-catching, though McGregor is fond of the architectural designs of Brooklyn-based Sans, recent winner of the Ecco Domani design prize. Watching from one shelf is a slouchy leather bag made from vintage coats by Ashley Watson; on another sits a more structured offering derived from horse saddles by Ting.

McGregor is quick to point out that Kaight is about eco-fashion with an emphasis on the fashion part. "Fashion is the primary component," she says. "If a designer is making an effort at environmental design, or has it in their mission statement, then that's what matters." Nodding toward a stack of cashmere, she notes that Stewart+Brown works directly with Mongolian herders to produce their cozy sweaters. "For me, that's just as important as just using organic cotton."

Kaight, 83 Orchard Street (between Broome and Grand Streets), 212-680-5630; www.kaightshops.com

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