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Housing Works is always coming up with new ways to help New York's homeless via the power of our insatiable desire for designer goods. Last night in Soho, the nonprofit unveiled its latest project: The Vault, a pair of little windowless rooms crammed with vintage high-end clothing above its Crosby Street thrift store. The selection inside runs the gamut from a $45 Vivienne Westwood Red Label sweater to Naeem Khan evening gowns for $1000. $500 Chanel blazers were a big hit, as was a $600 Chanel dress covered in what looked like first prize ribbons and a pair of smoking hot $200 Chanel platform booties. (The shoe selection wasn't huge, but we also saw silver-trimmed, robot-sexy Balenciaga booties for $300.)
Yesterday's preview was open to the public, which meant that we got to watch a woman put on one of the blazers, call a friend, and shout, "You have to get over here! I'm wearing Chanel!" From today on, though, the Vault is only accessible by appointment. Email thevault@housingworks.org to set up a time between Tuesday and Friday from 10am—6pm.
· Soho Thrift Shop [Housing Works]