Début NYC ... New York's Gleaming Fashion Gem

When we talk about shopping in New York, fashionistas would quickly imagine themselves splurging hard-earned cash or swiping Black Amex sans fuss or suffering excessive sweating and anxiety at the stately fashion and lifestyle emporiums that lined the swanky Fifth Avenue.

But for style hunters who prefer to skid away from the lure of mass luxury produce (think of all the Botega Venetta bags you can get at Saks), the Big Apple also has lots of hidden fashion gems waiting to be discovered.

Thanks to the diversity of taste and New Yorker’s hallmarked boldness in experimenting with avant-garde styles, you may also find niche boutiques that carry hip and avant-garde fashion labels screaming true individuality. And one of these must drop by precious style gems is Début New York.

Located between Houston and Bleecker at the infamous Mulberry Street, Début is a unique fashion realm worth discover. Founded by Lisa Weiss, the store caters to women with profound desire for individuality. Unlike other multi-brand stores around New York City, Début sets itself apart from its rivals with interactive gallery-like layout.

Here, fashion designers and their collections are not subjected to the archetypal retail treatment. Instead, they are regarded as artists and their works of art a.k.a. creations are uniquely displayed at their own spaces within the boutique. Like a treasure trove, one could find an array of precious find inside this contemporary multi-brand store.

Among others, they include urban garbs designed by up and coming designers namely Arthur Mendonça from Canada, Bérubé and Ross Barnes from United Kingdom, Bokyung Cha from Korea, as well as by Michael Angel from Australia. Inspired by the cultish soundtrack of Twin Peaks, Julie Bérubé’s ready-to-wear collection is well known for embodying movement, energy and spontaneity with black markers and draped ribbons as her design trademarks.

On the other hand, Australian designer Michael Angel’s fluid yet emotive collection veritably depicts the character traits of modern women – strong and self aware. This season, he chose high renaissance artists, Irving Penn and Pierre et Gilles photographs, laced with Shakespeare’s Sister influence as his muse.

Clothing aside, you might also be thrilled by the well-edited selection of sophisticated yet modern jewellery and accessories designed by Maja Schulz, Elledi, Experiment 101, Brynn Hudson, Rachel Rymar and Flutter by Jill Golden.

Need recommendation on must-have jewellery of the season? Get your hands on the dainty Caspana necklace by Flutter. Adorned with two clusters of semi-precious stones, the necklace is versatile and can be wrapped around your neck like a silk scarf. Amazing!

So if you are in the midst of seeking greener pasture in fashion while style-hunting in New York, you know where to go – Début New York.

*Photos courtesy of Début New York, Flutter NYC, and Michael Angel websites.

Début New York – 298, Mulberry Street (between Houston and Bleecker), New York NY 10012.