Where This CFDA Member Finds Housewares in Nolita

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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 Authentic City

After stints designing for labels like Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan, designer Edward Wilkerson joined Lafayette 148 New York in 1998. He's now the brand's design director, with a modern aesthetic drawing on his experience traveling, especially in Africa. He's a member of The Council of Fashion Designers of America and when he has a few minutes to spare, he pops into Dinosaur Designs on Elizabeth Street.

Dinosaur Designs is one of my favorite hidden gems in New York City. Many of their designs are inspired by art and nature and I completely relate to that aesthetic. Like them, I love incorporating vivid colors and textures that center on a specific theme or destination into my collections. Traveling and photography are a big part of my life and I admire anyone who can strike the fine balance between refinement and rustic symbolism.

I also think it's great that they recognized a void in the market and expanded their business to include home wares. Dinosaur Designs's jewelry and home wares always look chic and modern, yet so unique and I can see a lot of their pieces fitting into the home and lifestyle of the Lafayette 148 New York woman.

· Dinosaur Designs [Official Site]
· Lafayette 148 New York [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked NY]

Dinosaur Designs

211 Elizabeth Street New York NY 10012