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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.
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Image via Zimbio
As assistant fashion editor at Marie Claire, Ashley Afriyie assists the publication's fashion director Nina Garcia on everything from her hectic schedule to calling in next season's floral-patterned sweater for an upcoming shoot. A fashion school graduate, Ashley spent time interning at places like Teen Vogue, Vogue, and Gucci, but it's her DIY-nature that she's most proud of, and Lee's Art Shop, a Hells Kitchen arts and crafts emporium, is her go-to source when she needs her next fix.
It may not necessarily be a hole in the wall, but as the self-proclaimed largest art department store, Lee's has everything crafty. I am a big DIY arts and craft person. I love the holidays (who doesn't?) and with Lee's you can find your favorite holiday decoration year round. So for that random off-season party that your friend is throwing next week, you can always find remaining past-season items for it.
I love taking pictures and having them framed, so that's where I go to get my photos done, as they have a whole floor with thousands of picture frames?trust me, I've spent time there. I went to a fashion school, so the majority of my assignments were on the creative spectrum. I would spend hours in Lee's buying all types of materials for various projects. Lee's caters to the fashion designer, graphic artist, painter or photographer. It's one giant specialty store for those in the creative industry.· Lee's Art Shop [Official Site]
· Marie Claire [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked NY]