Travel & Guides

Designer Shelly Steffee may not be a household name, but that could be what appeals to us. Her sprawling storefront smack in the middle of the Meatpacking District is a gleaming beacon of pure sophistication, and her collections could be described in a similar fashion. The space--soaring ceilings, white walls, and ebony floors--offers the impression that Steffee is a fashion force to be reckoned with, and her clothing confirms this. After many years fine-tuning her skills at Anne Klein, the chestnut-haired designer broke out on her own to create a line to embody her love of pristine tailoring, dreamy, transformative eveningwear, and everyday pieces like entrance-making topcoats and slimming trousers that defy the predictable standards of classic womenswear.

Steffee and her husband-partner foresaw the potential of the then-rough area years before SoHo House or Diane von Furstenburg took note. There is nothing trendy about Steffee's work or her shop, which is probably what appeals to the legions of women (and actresses, too) who make regular visits to this goldmine of sleek apparel. Steffee collaborated with architect Stephan Jaklitsch on the design of the store, using elements like polished leather and a diaphanous curtain "wall" juxtaposed against harder, more industrial detailing. In addition to her own label, Steffee hosts other emerging artists in the front portion of the store (product designer Jessica Corr, whose work has been exhibited at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, had a recent show here). Though it could be a lost art, Steffee takes her magical window displays seriously, often working with a theater set designer to create just the right setting for each season's collection.