Where Rochambeau's Founders Find Wild Designer Patterns

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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 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 SLAMXHYPE

Longtime pals and recent business partners Joshua Cooper and Laurence Chandler launched menswear line Rochambeau (French for "rock-paper-scissors") in 2007. They've been featured in countless publications (including a multi-page spread in Interview Magazine) showing off the androgynous undertones of their gender-bending clothes. But when Cooper and Chandler want to go the preppy/skater route, they dash over to Consortiums New York, a quaint shop located in the Lower East Side where, if you're lucky, you can get your hands on some Dior button-ups in wild and wacky prints.

On of our favorite local spots to find a well-curated selection of button-ups, sweaters, and other gentlemanly regalia is Consortium New York. The owner Andre, who people might know from the old Union, opened Consortiums New York at 5 Delancey right off Bowery about two years ago. It is an unassuming spot, but they have a great classic Polo selection as well as some new emerging labels. They always manage to seem like an entirely new shop every single time you walk in. You can find rare Dior and Lanvin button ups in wild fabrics from the 80's when every luxury label decided licensing was the future.

· Consortiums New York [Official Site]
· Rochambeau [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked NY]

Consortiums New York

5 Delancey Street, New York NY 10002