first looks

It’s New-Boutique Mayhem on the East Side This Fall

In our recent window-shopping, we’ve come across an unusual number of new boutiques featuring fresh-out-of-school designers opening in the East Village and Lower East Side. Economy be damned, these bright young things shall not be confined to the Designers Market! Like Parsons grad and Designers Market regular Sohung Tong of Sohung Designs, who opened his first retail space last night at 312 East 9th Street. The selection includes his own line of colorful, ruched womenswear and deconstructed menswear as well as accessories, jewelry, and apparel from designers like Jady Su, Kyoko Honda, and Vidhsel vs. Lliam.

A couple of doors down, Nolita boutique Think Closet is opening its second location this weekend at 318 East 9th Street. Buyer Wendy Chun handpicks the pieces from New York and Asia, specializing in feminine dresses and tailored separates by young Korean and Japanese designers. The new location is hosting an opening sale, offering 20 percent off all merchandise for its first two weeks.

From left, Lois Eastlund in front of her soon-to-open Lower East Side boutique; the new Yumi Kim boutique on Stanton.Photo: Courtesy of Lois Eastlund; photos by Kim Phan

On the Lower East Side, FIT alum Lois Eastlund will open her first boutique at 153 Ludlow Street on October 13, stocking her eponymous label’s striped, checked, and geometric-print minidresses and belted shirts, along with jewelry by Desideri Design and Dasi Jewelry and handbags by SML Bags.

Around the corner, designer Yumi Kim had a soft opening for her flagship last week in the former Shop space, at 105 Stanton Street. Kim’s silk tanks, dresses, and tops in pretty floral prints share the racks with Jae Basilio knitwear and well-preserved vintage garb, including boots, jackets, and handbags. The official grand opening will be on Monday, September 29.

Sohung Designs, 312 E. 9th St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-228-8199

Think Closet, 318 E. 9th St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-228-2282

Lois Eastlund, 153 Ludlow St., nr. Stanton St.; 212-777-1470

Yumi Kim, 105 Stanton St., at Ludlow St.; 212-420-5919

It’s New-Boutique Mayhem on the East Side This Fall