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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 Google Maps
Designer Jennifer Behr introduced her namesake collection of luxury hair accessories in 2005, and since then, the collection has grown to include a range of accessories, like thick satin turbans and pieces adorned with Swarovski crystals or made of hand-braided nautical rope patterns. Here, the designer shows us the only place in Chelsea where they stock the carving tools she needs to create her headpieces.
I have a minor tool collection obsession (we still make all of our pieces by hand in Manhattan and Brooklyn), and Henry Westphal has the best selection of obscure leather making tools in the city. They were also the only people I could find who still stock this weird crescent shaped knife that we use to shave the back of feather spines and to curl feathers by hand. Don't be fooled by the non-descript front counter–it's a treasure trove for makers.
· Jennifer Behr [Official Site]
· Henry Westphal [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked NY]