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New York City has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some of local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around our fantastic city that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
Image via Rebel Designs
Yesterday, New York-based stylist Tim Bitici turned us onto Regina B. Accessories, his favorite under-the-radar shop he recommends for all brides, brides-to-be, and bridezillas. But today, we turned the tables on Regina B. to speak to the woman herself about Rebel Designs—her favorite appointment-only shop on Fifth Avenue that caters to the non-traditional bride...and every now and then, a leather-clad chihuahua.
I do have a very good friend who designs a line of fun and funky jewelry that caters to many many bridesmaids. Her line is called Rebel Designs and it is a collection that is really designed for the non-traditional bridesmaid—that person who wants to stand out and show their personal sense of style. The jewelry can be worn again and again, as it doesn't scream, "I wore this to my friends wedding and I have to wear it again because I am meeting her for lunch later." Her showroom is on Fifth Avenue and she sees her clients on an appointment-only basis, yet still maintains to sell to boutiques all over the world.
As a personal anecdote, one time she was so busy filling orders that she missed our flight to France and I had to go on my own. Also, once I asked her to make me a leather harness for the chihuahua that belonged to the editor of InStyle Weddings. Needless to say, I got the proportions wrong and the poor thing was trapped for over an hour while they tried to get it off. Finally, the dog had to be cut out of it, and I likened it to a Chinese Finger Trap.· Rebel Designs [Official Site]