Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

Nylon Magazine Reviews Flying Solo Runway Show

Feast your eyes on the future of fashion We partnered with Flying Solo for the brand’s fourth-ever runway show, and it was the be all, end all of fashion shows, TBH. Featuring work from dozens of designers, from clothing, accessories, shoes, and swimwear, it was pretty much nonstop fashion envy. If you haven’t heard, Flying Solo is a fashion community and retail hub featuring work from over 70

What Went Down At The Flying Solo Runway Show - Feast your eyes on the future of fashion

We partnered with Flying Solo for the brand’s fourth-ever runway show, and it was the be all, end all of fashion shows, TBH. Featuring work from dozens of designers, from clothing, accessories, shoes, and swimwear, it was pretty much nonstop fashion envy.

If you haven’t heard, Flying Solo is a fashion community and retail hub featuring work from over 70 designers. Instead of doing it alone in the breakneck world that is the retail industry, these designers have banded together to create a collaborative space where they can work together instead of competing with one another. Designers are given resources, from workspace to stylists to press, buyers, and even a marketing budget, to ensure that their pieces have the opportunity to reach people who will wear and love their work.

The show itself was killer, with a soundtrack from South Sudanese supermodel Mari Malek (aka DJ Stiletto), and the runway at Pier 59 Studios decked out with an interstellar vibe. Styles from the featured designers were sent down the runway two-by-two (think: high fashion Noah’s Ark vibes), with models all wearing the same futuristic, metallic makeup look. Apparel designers paired with jewelry, bag, and shoe designers to showcase their work in tandem, which not only showed how well the looks paired together but also reinforced the collaborative ethos that Flying Solo is known for. Altogether, the show proved how diverse, inclusive, and truly groundbreaking fashion can be if artists work together.

Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images

Clothing by Wilde Vertigga, jewelry by Minton.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

Obvious Magazine at Flying Solo NYFW

Flying Solo presents their annual fashion show showcasing 70 designers from all over the world. The runway show highlighted over 340 looks inspired by space-age exploration and breaking borders full of romance, edginess, bold colors and superb tailoring.

EMERGING DESIGNERS SHINED DURING THE FLYING SOLO NYFW FASHION SHOW

We love independent runway shows and will continue to support Flying Solo efforts to highlight these amazingly talented designers each year.

The New York Fashion Week organization should focus on including more new designers at their mainstream runway shows to allow new talent to express their creativity and collections on a global platform.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: A model walks the runway for Flying Solo NYFW September 2018 during New York FashioN Week at Pier 59 on September 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Models walk the runway for Flying Solo NYFW September 2018 during New York FashioN Week at Pier 59 on September 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)

Date: Friday, September 7, 2018
Venue: Pier 59
Location: New York City

ABOUT THE EVENT

One Runway Show that features over 70 Independent Designers and 340 Looks

Flying Solo returned to New York Fashion Week, presenting their latest collections on Friday, September 7th at 3 PM at Pier 59 Studios. This was their fourth season, with over 70 designers from across the globe, showcasing in a unique collaborative and high-energy format with a wide array of womenswear, menswear, and accessories. The show highlights over 340 looks inspired by space-age exploration and breaking borders.

Since its founding, Flying Solo has opened two locations, including the flagship store in SoHo and The Copper Room – catering to VIP clients, major stylists, and editors, and celebrities including GiGi Hadid, Alicia Keys, Cardi B and Natalie Portman to name a few. Flying Solo also runs a YouTube channel featuring “A Day in the Life of” their designers, and an insider look at castings, fittings and day-to-day operations.

Launched and fueled by a community of designers in the summer of 2016, Flying Solo is a revolutionary approach to fashion houses. Elizabeth Solomeina, co-founder of Flying Solo said “We asked ourselves, ‘What if we collaborate instead of compete? What if we can create a successful brand that can change retail and a model that can benefit designers?” Flying Solo is supported for the fourth season by ECRU New York for hair and make-up.

Flying Solo collaborated with YouCam Makeup for an instant virtual try-on, using true-to-life augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology creating a completely new, elevated user experience that translates the glamour of NYFW into a personalized, interactive beauty try-on. The collaboration will include two new looks debuting at this season’s show, featuring unique airbrush accents and colorful lashes which will be presented on the runway models during the show, as well as two throwback beauty looks from past Flying Solo fashion week runway shows.

All Photos by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images courtesy Flying Solo

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

The Code of Style Magazine at Flying Solo NYFW

Once again had the extreme pleasure of attending the Flying Solo shows for NYFW. I attended both the ready-to-wear and couture shows and was duly impressed by both presentations. In an age of a disruptive industry, what some are referring to the retail apocalypse and the rise of online streaming, and very crowded and competitive space Flying Solo seeks to unite fashion, support up and coming designers and pay homage to the city that has always been at the heart of fashion.

Flying Solo RTW & Couture @ NYFW Fall 2020 - The Code of Style Magazine at NYFW

Hi everyone and Welcome back to the Fashion Section of The Code of Style Magazine, and I’m delighted to share with you this post about “NYFW Fall 2020”, by our Contributing Columnist for Fashion, Allie from Allie NYC

Ready to Wear

Tom Ford may have snubbed his nose at New York, and other well known brands may only show overseas but Flying Solo is committed to the New York fashion scene and to that end plans on opening two additional locations in addition to their recently expanded store front on West Broadway in Soho. They also launched an invitation only service called The Copper which such notable clients as Cardi B, Bella Hadid, Alicia Keys, Coco Rocha, Vanessa Hudgens, Leandra Medine among many others.

This warms the bottom of my fashionista heart. In a time of so much uncertainty, competitiveness and a future of an algorithm dominated society, it is is refreshing to see come across an old school sense of unity and support. I was lucky enough to be part the Flying Solo Fashion Week experience and also attend their pre show fitting day. Stay tuned for coverage on that in my NYFW Fall 2020 vlog. I am sharing with you some of the looks from both shows. I am sure you will be as excited as I was to attend. I hope you enjoy!

The designers showing this year is as follows:

READY TO WEAR

Ready to Wear: Accessories by NORTON AND HODGES, and Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY, LO BOUTIQUE and Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY, TRBROWN, VICTORIA’S ARCTIC FASHION, TALAMADE, ARTPOINT, BRODIE CASHMERE with Bags by SSY DESIGNS, DONNA ZHONG, ALICIA CALERO with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY, DULCET, PATRICIA GOVEA COLLECTION with Shoes by PER FIDEM and Accessories by NORTON AND HODGES, LALITA with Accessories by NORTON AND HODGES, SUKAZ with Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY, DHANIR with Accessories by B_DODI and Sunglasses by FANCY TROUBLES, SHABEEG, FREAKBUTIK with Accessories by B_DODI

COUTURE

Couture: MONALIZABETH with Accessories by SSY DESIGN, HIROMI ASAI, QUOD with Bags by JULIA DAVIY, MONOSUIT, XILE HUMA, JACQUELINE CITY APPAREL with Jewelry CHRISTINE JOY STUDIO, LILYRIVERA with Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY, CLAIRE ELISABETH with Jewelry by CHRISTINE JOY STUDIO, DI VENCENZO with Jewelry by CHRISTINE JOY STUDIO, MIRANDA KURTISHI, GEORGINA JEWELRY, BHAVYAA, MIASHAN with Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY, SABA ASAD with Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY, WONDERLAND CHILDRENSWEAR, DIVINEITY FASHION with Hats by 20SUMMERS.LOVE, LAHIVE with Jewelry by PICALI JEWELRY, LADY MAHRIAMA with Accessories byNORTON AND HODGES, NAZARENE AMICTUS with Sunglasses by SAINT OWEN, SIMONA RUSK with Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY, ALEXANDRA POPESCU-YORK with Jewelry by SOLOMEINA, LENSHINA NCHAMI and Jewelry by GEORGINA JEWELRY

Ihope you enjoyed this article from NYFW, and don’t forget to check out last week’s article on 5 Spring Fashion Trends for 2020 I’ll be back to share some more fashion inspiration with you again soon!

Julia x ( Senior Style Editor)

Instagram: @julia.rees_

Allie Mackin of ALLIE NYC is a professional designer and art director and has worked in the publishing industry in New York where she lives. She has designed magazines and books that are sold at major retailers such as WholeFoods and Amazon. She is also fashion blogger/vlogger and covers Fashion Week in both New York and Paris. In addition to her professional work and maintaining her fashion blog she is also a budding photographer and has shot Fashion Week both in front and back of house. But her favorite subject to shoot is street style.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

Flying Solo Paris Fashion Week by the Garnett Report

Paris, France - Flying Solo showcased a curated collection of 36 designers from all over the globe at Salon Marceau. The presentation show featured a collections of clothing, accessories, jewelry, and shoes. Flying Solo’s unique collective show has become a revolutionary concept shaking up the fashion world.

Flying Solo Wows in Paris with a Stunning Collective of Designers That Felt Like the “Cool Kids” Club of Paris during Fashion Week

Paris, France (March 1, 2019) – – Flying Solo showcased a curated collection of 36 designers from all over the globe at Salon Marceau. The presentation show featured a collections of clothing, accessories, jewelry, and shoes. Flying Solo’s unique collective show has become a revolutionary concept shaking up the fashion world.

Designer’s collections offered something for every taste from dreamy metallic jumpsuits from Daniel Silverstein to feather embellished evening wear and the perfect red carpet worthy looks from Maria Sonia. Swimwear by Mona Swims to stunning resort wear pieces from Gaurav Katta, the presentation gave attendees a real window onto looks trending from all corners of the globe.

Flying Solo is a curated fashion incubator, giving designers opportunities for retail presence at their swanky boutique in Soho, showroom representation for editorial and celebrity pulls and runway show opportunities during New York Fashion Week.

The director and co-founder of Flying Elizabeth Solomeina quipped, “We are excited to present again in Paris and grow this market. There is an insatiable desire among top industry professionals to discover emerging talent and Flying Solo is providing designers with a high-end platform to showcase collections to top tier media, influencers, stylists, buyers, and tastemakers.”

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

PARIS FASHION WEEK - FLYING SOLO by Madison Jaye

On Monday 24th February 2020, independent designers showcased their beautiful collection in the magnificent Salon-Etoile Marceau in the 16 arrondissement de Paris. The room was a typical parisian architect style with looks of the Palace of Versailles. The catwalk took place in front of a crowd of fashion fanatics, photographers and bloggers and influencers. The show was consisted in Independent Designer from Flying Solo presentation AW20, with a long list of 24 very unique and original designer.

PARIS FASHION WEEK - FLYING SOLO PRESENTATION AW20

Tanya Paul - Editor in Chief for MadisonJaye.com

The one the most shocking and never seen before : @ArtPointVienna based in Austria. Their clothes and style reminded me the z generation with the our young teens, yet still babies to society but very stylish and on top of the fashion game. The models holding what can be interpreted as a phone, taking selfies or connected to social media, with a pacifier, and the sunglasses which can be seen as their are very confident, “cool” looks. Some of the designers captivated my eyes with very classy and chic dresses and gowns : @laskararivienna @ateliera Bridal & Wedding astonishing dresses. @divincenzoroma , very glamorous italian style with strings falling, following every long leg move and gestures can’t be more elegant and remember the 20s century

Beautiful “ensemble” , full outfit from the netherland : @Natasha Chabelnique opening look with a full green golden look worn by the model Andrea Juric (@adreajuric) on the picture to the left. The middle picture is the beautiful red dress with “frange” made by Di Vincenzo. The last one also from @Natasha Chabelnique. The show also included promising models that were very young such as @shamuelmodel from the designer KICOMO BY KIARA C. MORROW. Their runway was full of young and diverse ethnicity, looks and style that made the public very pleased and proud. More models were @kiyan_models , @artemislawrence, @kevim.paloma , @karmenklb, @bellaalexandras, @alara.jale. This show was very rich in diversity in clothes , accessories, and models. The range of designers made us travel all around the world but also through time as the dresse à frange from the 20s, reflecting our present society with the phone addiction, but also projecting us in the future with beautiful grown and wedding dresses.

Tanya Paul - Editor in Chief for MadisonJaye.com

MARCH 6, 2020

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Flying Solo Paris Fashion Week on Livingly

Browse all runway pictures of Flying Solo at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2020.

https://www.livingly.com/runway/Paris+Fashion+Week+Spring+2020/FLYING+SOLO

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

Flying Solo Fashion Show on The Fashion Channel

Watch the Flying Solo Spring Summer 2019 by Full Fashion Show in High Definition on The Fashion Channel

(Widescreen - Exclusive Video/1080p - New York Fashion Week)

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Getty Images Photographs Flying Solo New York Fashion Week

See all the Getty Images from Flying Solo New York Fashion Week Runway show

See all the Getty Images from Flying Solo New York Fashion Week Runway show NYFW

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/15/20

Flying Solo’s NYFW Runway Show - Fashion Week Online

Flying Solo welcomed over 800 guests at their sixth New York Fashion Week shows on Friday, September 6th at Pier 59 Studios, The show was divided into two parts – ready-to wear and couture.Flying Solo fashion show with an energetic format and a focus on diversity demonstrated this concept with over 500 looks by more than 60 designers. The show is proving to be one of the most cutting-edge fashion events during New York Fashion Week presenting a wide array of womenswear, menswear and accessories.
Flying Solo Ready-To-WearPlayPrevNext1 of 37831 MINHLEFeaturing831 MINHLE, AADHE CLOTHING with Jewelry by D.Sign Jewelry by Mauro Pina, AGOSTO CUELLAR, ANDB COLLECTION with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY and Watches by ALIK & CO, ANNA MARGARETTE, APACCELI, with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY, ASHLEY RAYNOR with Jewelry by B_Dodi design , BRODIE CASHMERE with Jewelry by Y.Han, CAMOUFLAGED with Jewelry by D.Sign Jewelry by Mauro Pina and Bags Volta Atelier, ELENA RUDENKO with Jewelry by Y.Han and Hats by GO Clothed, FORTUNA TOKYO, HOUSE OF GILLIAN MARIE with Bags by CARO NEW YORK, HUT MENTALITY, KATELYN ZHANG with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY, Zynni Cashmere with Bags by Katie Lares, KG’S HOUSE OF FASHION with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY and Bags by CARO NEW YORK, MONA ROMANI with Jewelry by Wendy Jewelry, MONOSUIT, MONZLAPUR with Jewelry by Solomeina Jewelry, NEOSKA PARIS, SUMMER DUCHESS, NEZYORKCITY, SISI GOD, NOT with Jewelry by Y.Han and Shoes by United Nude, OF THE SAINTS, QIQEE with Jewelry by B_Dodi design, RORA with Jewelry by D.Sign Jewelry by Mauro Pina, SETA APPAREL, SHABEEG with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY and Bags by Tell No leyes, SIATTA JEANS with Hats by Galpon.co, SUKAZ, NUDE SWIM with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY, UNDERTOP with Shoes by Paula Torres, DANIELA BARROS with Jewelry by Y.Han, TWEE IN ONE with Jewelry by GLAMROCKS JEWELRY, NUEQUE with Bags by Tell No leyes, CHARMOSA SWIMWEAR with Bags by Volta AtelierYoung Paris opened the show for Fortuna Tokyo along with model Eugenia Kuzmina. With a mission of being diverse and inclusive, Flying Solo fashion show strives to deliver this message through their cast of models and designers all around the world.A concept created and brought to life by veteran independent designers, Flying Solo has quadrupled in size since its formation in 2016, with over 70 designers from 36 countries showing on the main stage at Pier 59 Studios at New York Fashion Week, a venue known for showcasing numerous cutting-edge designers from Delpozo to Yeezy.“We asked ourselves, ‘What if we collaborate instead of compete? What if we can create a successful brand that can change retail and a model that can benefit designers?’” said Elizabeth Solomeina, co-founder of Flying Solo. “Flying Solo is transformative. We don’t listen to what the outside world tells us can’t be done; we listen to our designers and our customers, and we keep growing within the industry we love.”Flying Solo is a diverse and talented community of designers and entrepreneurs, collaborating in order to create a successful fashion retail company. In 2017, Flying Solo moved into a 7,000 square foot flagship store located on West Broadway (NYC) alongside other top luxury brands. The store has notable clientele including Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Vanessa Hudgens, and Leandra Medine, who come to discover unique product and support independent fashion talent.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/14/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/14/20

Flying Solo New Store in Soho by WWD

With consumer spending on apparel increasing online, Internet giant Amazon muscling its way into the fashion arena, and unmotivated Millennials and Baby Boomers moving fashion lower on their list of priorities, it would seem to be an inauspicious time to open a new flagship. Not for Elizabeth Solomeina and Daniel Silverstain.

Flying Solo Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

A retail concept is validated.By Sharon Edelson on July 19, 2017

VIEW GALLERY — 8 PHOTOS

The two are unveiling today a two-level, 7,000-square-foot Flying Solo unit at 434 West Broadway in New York’s SoHo. The space, which is more than three times as large as the original Flying Solo on Mulberry Street in NoLIta, was previously leased by Just Cavalli, which left behind some remnants of its occupancy, including glass stairs embedded with the brand’s signature animal print and a wall of diamond-shaped video screens that flash Just Cavalli patterns.“Just Cavalli left and we proudly have the store,” Solomeina said, noting that “the designer’s signature is hidden in the patterns on the stairs.”The name Flying Solo is actually a misnomer.

The store was launched a year ago as an organization of designers with a mandate of helping their peers.“The designers who founded Flying Solo and our investor were all friends at the time,” Solomeina said. “We all had the same problems, and our investor, who has worked with a lot of non-profits, wanted to help and believed in a retail model that would benefit designers.”At Flying Solo, each featured designer pays the same share of expenses, including rent, electricity and insurance.

Designers are required to work at the store one day a week, and if a designer has the skills to do other things, such as managing social media accounts, they’re expected to pitch in.“We saw from Mulberry Street that it’s working,” Solomeina said. “We figured out we couldn’t have our own store due to the crazy real estate prices. It’s the power of the collective.”While Flying Solo in NoLIta presented 35 apparel, footwear, accessories and jewelry designers, the size of the flagship and its higher costs requires 68.

“The rent is the reason we have so many brands,” Silverstain said. “This is the prime of SoHo.”Citing the cooperative model, Solomeina claimed that Flying Solo “takes no money from the designers, who get 100 percent of sales. The investors of Flying Solo aren’t focused on profits from designers, but instead, are focused on designers making a profit. That’s why designers only pay for the low cost of space.

“They believe in the potential of the Flying Solo model and see applications for streamlining the designer-to-customer relationship in retail and the future potential of having Flying Solo stores with the same innovative model all over the world.”Solomeina said Los Angeles, Dallas and Paris are the first cities on Flying Solo’s expansion list.Working in the store, designers learn “how to be successful retailers,” Solomeina said. “They learn how to manage stock. The retail experience is better for the customer because the designers educate the customer on how to wear their garments.

It becomes a more emotional purchase if they get to know the designer.”With the additional space, Solomeina and Silverstain built a showroom where designers can meet with wholesale buyers. There’s a big focus on editorial credits. “Designers will walk stylists and editors through to the back of the stockroom where we have a wall of fame with magazine covers from Cosmo, Vogue, Elle and Jute,” Silverstain said.

Designer looks hang on copper racks with their names above their products. A square at the front of the store features lingerie and swimwear — the stranger the better. “We rotate designers around the store every week, so it’s equal opportunity, ” said Solomeina, whose jewelry collection features “ugly-shaped pearls I added diamonds to and a square ring covered with pavé diamonds, $6,000.”

“The store has a bit of the industrial vibe from Mulberry Street,” Silverstain said.Cement blocks near the entrance display fine jewelry, which is out in the open so customers can pick it up and try it on themselves. “We need easy access for customers,” Solomeina explained. “We’re not a museum.”“We’ve pretty much eliminated the idea of seasons,” said Silverstain, whose namesake collection includes an asymmetric Neoprene coat, $780. “When our customers love something, they should love it forever.”

Flying Solo also goes back to designers’ archives to bring back favorite styles.Other brands include Elena Rudenko, whose convertible clothing features delicate fasteners that can be detached to turn a dress into a skirt and top; Souk, by an IMG model, features a black silk gown, and Weannabe, whose collection includes a ruffle detail oversized denim jacket, $355, and fringed T-shirt, $175.

A backlit wall at the rear of the store is devoted to footwear, including Vanessa Wu’s vegan leather ankle boots, $119, and Marita Moreno’s trompe l’oeil wedge booties, $365. Another wall showcases handbags such as Kalamarie’s Amelie box in gray leather with croc inserts and gray calf suede, $1,580.Flying Solo has added another vertical to its web site, Soloists, which include a costume designer, headpiece designer for editorial and music videos, and an artist who makes leather sculptures.“We believe they deserve the spotlight,” Solomeina said.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/14/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/14/20

Flying Solo’s SoHo Store on WWD .com

While bigger players such as Macy’s Inc. are showing signs of strain — the retailer this week announced it will close 28 stores — and Barneys New York is in the throes of liquidation sales, independent downtown retailer Flying Solo is soaring with a new 8,000-square-foot store at 382 West Broadway.

Flying Solo’s New SoHo Store Is Poised for Takeoff

The retailer gives fledgling designers a chance to spread their wings.

By Sharon Edelson on January 10, 2020

Flying Solo’s e-commerce site starting getting traction last year, Solomeina said, adding, “More sales are made in the store than online. It’s tied to social media, and we’re approaching 50,000 followers on Instagram.”

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Flying Solo New Boutique - on WWD

The way retail is structured now, it’s not about innovation,” Solomeina said. “Buyers avoid any product where the consumer has to be educated. There’s a disconnect between the consumer and designer.”

Flying Solo Takes Off In NoLIta

The 2,000-square-foot Flying Solo is modeled after a Russian cooperative.By Sharon Edelson on July 22, 2016

Flying Solo features the designs of 35 members of the co-op.’

NEW YORK — If Flying Solo, a 2,000-square-foot store where 35 apparel, footwear, accessories and jewelry designers share the costs and chores of running a retail business sounds like a Russian cooperative, it’s no accident.Elizabeth Solomeina, who founded Flying Solo, at 224 Mulberry Street in NoLIta here, created the store in the spirit of a co-op, where each designer is required to work at the store one day a week.

If a designer has the skills to do other things, such as managing social media accounts, they’re expected to pitch in. Everyone pays the same share of expenses, including rent, electricity and insurance.“I was born in Russia, so I guess the idea of a collective is familiar to me,” Solomeina, a jewelry designer, said. “When I was young, I worked at an amazing graphic design studio in Russia. I experienced the amazing collective where everybody supports each other and helps each other learn.

That was the spirit of the group. I think some of [Flying Solo] comes from that.”The goal of Flying Solo designers is to get close to their customers.“The way retail is structured now, it’s not about innovation,” Solomeina said. “Buyers avoid any product where the consumer has to be educated. There’s a disconnect between the consumer and designer.”Having designers volunteer at Flying Solo allows them to interact with shoppers. In fact, Solomeina said on any given day, there can be six or seven designers in the store.“I believe retail is broken,” said Solomeina. “Every independent designer I know feels that way. It’s almost impossible to make a living in New York. You have to make your margins so thin if you’re selling to a department store.

Unless you’re doing huge volume, you’re going to be a broke designer.”Solomeina has managed to stay solvent so far. She said she learned a lot about jewelry making from her mother, Irina, a jewelry designer. Solomeina attended the British School of Art and Design in Moscow as an undergraduate. She moved to New York 10 years ago.

Solomeina’s collection of jewelry features topaz, fresh water pearls, pavé diamonds and rock crystal incorporated into Elizabethan and Art Deco-influenced pieces forged from black rhodium-plated silver, 14-karat gold, rose gold-plated silver and silver.Brazilian designer Jackie Barbosa’s GBGH [Go Big or Go Home] collection of bold, organically shaped chokers and cuffs is made from rose gold, yellow gold, silver or black rhodium-plated brass.As for Flying Solo, “we have a very strict selection process,” Solomeina said.

“The designer has to be a great designer. If I think a designer might be a good match for us, I ask them to come in. The designer has to have the collaborative spirit. The person could be an amazing designer and not a team player.”Solomeina also takes care to avoid duplication.“All of the designers are really unique,” she said, citing Ukrainian-born Elena Rudenko, who designs women’s ready-to-wear where most pieces are convertible and can be worn several ways. “You can always detach and attach something,” Solomeina said. “It’s very important that she connects with customers to explain how her designs work.”

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The Cut Magazine - Flying Solo Retail

The Store (It Would Seem) Is Not Dead (at Least for Now)

Amazon isn’t going anywhere, so shops that would rather not shut down are adapting, resulting in a somewhat surprising retail renaissance.

Retail Success in the Age of Amazon - The Store (It Would Seem) Is Not Dead (at Least for Now)

Amazon isn’t going anywhere, so shops that would rather not shut down are adapting, resulting in a somewhat surprising retail renaissance.

By Carl Swanson

Photographs And Interactive Tours By Andrea Fremiotti

Roman and Williams Guild.

It’s the last day of April, a chill still in the air, and Michael Goldban, head of retail leasing at Brookfield Properties, wants to take a stroll down the pristinely blighted western terminus of Bleecker Street. Wearing Dolce & Gabbana transition glasses and a black blazer (and trailed by a publicist), he’s here to tell me why he’s an optimist about brick-and-mortar retail. We’re passing empty storefront after empty storefront, including one, at No. 359, that is asking $25,000-a-month rent; it features a dozen loaves of Wonder Bread dangling in its window like Pop Art sausages, presumably to attract the attention of whimsy-minded potential tenants. But Goldban sees “opportunity” in the tidy, bougie desolation of this post-Amazon streetscape.

The company he works for owns dozens of malls and office buildings worldwide, among them the former World Financial Center, opened as the luxury mall Brookfield Place after 9/11. The week before, the firm placed a comparatively smaller bet on Bleecker, buying seven “cool and charming,” mostly vacant storefronts — and, by the way, he says, it’s in the market for more. Goldban regales me with how the company will apply the “place-making” and “activation” strategies that it believes it has perfected at Brookfield to revive Bleecker’s “mispriced assets.” The idea is to position the street as a place to spend the day, as he says, with Brookfield orchestrating the consumer experience rather than allowing each individual shop to pursue its own agenda. Put less delicately: “Let’s look at this as if it’s a mall, even though it’s not,” he says.

Goldban aims to seed this mall-but-not-mall with incubator retail that he then hopes to scale up. One of the first stores that has decided to give Bleecker a go is shoe start-up Margaux, a digital darling in need of a physical space to hashtag. “Listen, if Louis Vuitton came to us tomorrow and said, ‘We have this new idea, and we want to do it here,’ great. But what we really want it to be is a hub for innovation. And because the spaces are small, they don’t require much capital.”

To make Bleecker feel more like a “destination,” Goldban is conferring with Brookfield’s “arts and events” team. He’s not thinking “street fairs” or “tchotchke sellers,” he hastens to add. “In London, there was a flower show that took over a street — something like that. Something tasteful.”

Bleecker has not been alone in its emptiness over the past few years. The number of vacant — and long vacant — storefronts in otherwise safe-and-prosperous New York is unsettling. “It kind of makes you scared for the city, which is geared around pedestrian life,” says former City Planning commissioner Amanda Burden, who can’t understand how landlords can leave the shops along Madison Avenue near her apartment lying fallow. One broker I spoke to, Bruce Ehrmann, said there are about 100 empty storefronts in Tribeca. When Manhattan borough president Gale Brewer sent a team up Broadway last year to count the empties, it got up to 188 — and she and Mayor Bill de Blasio are working on legislation to tax or fine landlords who don’t rent their places already. Cushman & Wakefield’s MarketBeat report for the first quarter of this year put the “availability” rate on Fifth Avenue between 42nd and 49th Streets at 32.8 percent, in Soho at 23.9 percent, and in Herald Square at 31.

Maybe because the real-life writer Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and the made-up writer Carrie Bradshaw, heroine of Sex and the City, have both strolled Bleecker (undoubtedly in very different footwear), the fate of this little street has become a sort of real-estate morality tale over the past couple of years. (There’s an entire chapter devoted to it in Jeremiah Moss’s book Vanishing New York.)

So How Are Stores That Are Doing Well … Doing Well?

Not having insanely high rent helps. But it’s more than that: Here, the newfangled, actually successful retail models of the moment. Plus, take interactive tours of five successful stores: Homecoming, CW Pencil Enterprise, McNally Jackson Williamsburg, Flying Solo, and Roman and Williams Guild.

By Lauren Levy, Margaret Rhodes, Katy Schneider, and Hayley Phelan

The Multi-Hyphenate Model: Be Five Stores Instead of One

Since Saturdays NYC opened its part–menswear shop, part–coffee bar in 2009, retail hubs with many distinct components have multiplied across the city, culminating in the recent opening of the Roman and Williams Guild, a 7,000-square-foot homewares store (with a flower shop and a restaurant) in Soho. Scott Haven, co-owner of Greenpoint’s flower-slash-coffee-slash-retail shop Homecoming, believes this model gets more people in the store. “They come first and foremost to hang out. Then maybe they buy something. Or take a photo for Instagram,” he says. —Katy Schneider

Jill Lindsey, 370 Myrtle Ave.

Jill Lindsey has facials, a wine bar, and topaz earrings in her Fort Greene space — which she calls a truly modern department store.

Revenue Breakdown

Hard goods: 48 percent.
“Our Maison Louis Marie and Burnin’ for You candles do really, really well.”

Wellness: 24 percent.
“Facials, Reiki, Ayurvedic face-lift massages: things not a lot of other places have.”

Wine bar and café: 20 percent.
“Coffee does well, wine less so. People get stuck on the fact that it looks like a store and not a bar.”

Public events: 8 percent.
“I started doing events to get people in the store — I didn’t have money to pay for press.”

Jill Lindsey’s Nitty-Gritties

Average Monthly Sales
Retail sales: $25,540
Café sales: $4,800
Wellness sales: $7,660
Total: $38,000

Total Costs
Inventory: $10,500
Staff: $8,792
Rent: $5,346
Extras (display, store improvement, event props): $2,000
Supplies: $1,225
Bills (trash, electric, internet): $506
Point-of-sale system: $450
Total: $28,819

Additional Costs
Liquor-license renewal: $2,000 every two years.
Restaurant license: $1,500 every year.
Insurance: $2,800 every year.
Accounting: $400 quarterly.
Sales tax: approximately $7,500 quarterly.
Rent increases by 8 percent every year.

Jane Motorcycles, 396 Wythe Ave.

Jane, which opened in Williamsburg in 2013, sells motorcycles — plus coffee and a menswear line for those who don’t ride.

Revenue Breakdown

Apparel: 70 percent.
“On a good day, you can make $10,000 in apparel; the margins are great.”

Coffee: 20 percent.
“You can make up to $1,000 a day in coffee, but you can’t have a $10,000 day in coffee alone.”

Motorcycles: 10 percent.
“We sell them sometimes, and we make good money on them when we do, but it’s more to bring in people. And for brand awareness.”

Case Study

Homecoming, 107 Franklin St.

While other early-to-the-scene Greenpoint shops have been forced to close because of skyrocketing rents, Homecoming continues to thrive. In May, the owners opened a second location, in Williamsburg. “We’ve seen so many places close in the last five years,” Haven says. “But we’re lucky, because our landlord lives in the building and is very hands-on with the community. He likes us, and he hasn’t drastically increased our rent.”

Virtual Store Tour: Click or tap on the above image and swipe or use your keyboard arrows to tour the store. Click or tap the camera icons to zoom in on a section. For the best experience on desktop, enter full-screen mode.

Revenue Breakdown

Café: 40 percent.
Cold brew accounts for 25 percent of the café’s sales, followed by hot coffee, then cappuccinos. Pastries amount to only 15 percent of the café’s business. Though the café is lucrative, it has its downsides: The store has to go through an annual inspection and pay café taxes.

Plants and Flowers: 40 percent.
Seventy percent of plants sold are “general foliage” — which, says Haven, just means everything that looks like a houseplant. Next, the four-inch potted plants, which sell the fastest because they’re so small. Cacti make up a surprisingly small (30 percent) portion of the plant business.

Homewares: 15 percent.
Haven stocks everything from doormats to coffeemakers, but the items that sell best are ceramics and pots from locals like Helen Levi.

Apothecary: 5 percent.
Homecoming sells soaps, perfumes, lip balm, and candles. The two best sellers are 1509 perfumes and Grown Alchemist products.

Books: Less than 1 percent.
Though Haven is committed to stocking books, they aren’t big movers and have a small profit margin. Still, he says, “they say something about what we’re into in the store.”

Case Study

Roman and Williams Guild, 53 Howard St.

Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer opened the 7,000-square-foot Roman and Williams Guild in December. The sprawling Soho space includes a shoppable library, flowers by Emily Thompson, furniture (their own, plus one-of-a-kind vintage pieces), and a full-fledged French restaurant, La Mercerie. “Our dishes and napkins [that we use in the restaurant] fly,” says Alesch. “So do the stools and artwork — we put it up one day, and it’s gone the next.”

Virtual Store Tour: Click or tap on the above image and swipe or use your keyboard arrows to tour the store. Click or tap the gray circles to enter a new area of the store. Click or tap the camera icons to zoom in on a section. For the best experience on desktop, enter full-screen mode.

Key Factors

Lighting: The lighting that’s used in the shop — the Oscar and the Felix fixtures — are selling particularly well, according to owners Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch.

Plates: The café brings in the most foot traffic, and the napkins and plates used for service in the café are also frequent purchases. Same with the Japanese glassware: “We’ve had to reorder it many times already,” says Standefer. “People really love to carry something home under their arm.”

Furniture: Standefer and Alesch were surprised at the popularity of two pieces in particular: the oak and seagrass Seamoor chair, and the small hoof stools. “When we made the prototypes of the Seamoor in Montauk last summer,” says Alesch, “we had no idea they would be so popular.”

Café: As for the pastries that do best? Well, according to Alesch, it’s the blinis and the crêpes. “The crêpes in particular just fly,” says Alesch. “It’s hard for everyone to keep up.”

Wall beside the bathroom: Standefer and Alesch decided to utilize a stretch of empty wall near the downstairs bathroom by hanging up a series of (buyable) framed prints. Surprisingly, and despite the odd location, they’ve sold extremely well — so well, in fact, that almost every day the team has to do new hangings.

The One-Item Model: Just Carry One Very Specific Thing

Specialty shops might seem like a relic of an older New York. But in 2015, 24-year-old Caroline Weaver opened CW Pencil Enterprise, a store that sells only pencils and pencil accessories. A little over a year later, Jordan Roschwalb opened Pintrill, a pin store in Williamsburg. And they’re still kicking — even expanding. We brought together Weaver and Roschwalb to chat with original one-thing seller Millicent Safro, who’s helmed the Upper East Side button shop Tender Buttons since 1964. —Lauren Levy

Millicent Safro. Photo: Joana Avillez

Millicent Safro, Tender Buttons: There was a Hungarian man who sold buttons on 77th Street who wanted to get rid of them all. It was the ’60s and my friend and I wanted to be artists, and we saw it as a possibility for a work of art. So we bought all the buttons and rented the shop to store them. After that, people just kept coming into the shop and asking to buy buttons. Before we knew it, we were a business. In 1964, we moved to our current location. We went from $200-a-month rent to $800.

Caroline Weaver. Photo: Joana Avillez

Caroline Weaver, CW Pencil Enterprise: I understand going from a tiny shop to a big shop where the rent has multiplied. We moved into a new shop in October that was double the size of our original, but also had a finished basement. Now we do online fulfillment from the same space. That was big.

Jordan Roschwalb. Photo: Joana Avillez

Jordan Roschwalb, Pintrill: We just switched our fulfillment to the back of the store, and it’s been incredible. We saved money on the rent from the other space, while also bringing the inventory into one place, which makes it a thousand times easier. The difference for me is that the store came kind of second to the web, whereas for you, Caroline, you were always going to open up a store.

CW: I had a website first, but the endgame was to have a store. It wasn’t meant to happen that fast, but then I found the perfect space. It was important that it was tiny.

MS: I had that too — the perfect space. It just looked like a button shop. We bought this whole building in the ’80s. At one time, it was a blessing, but the real-estate tax has gone up so incredibly, about 600 percent or so, and the value of my product is so inexpensive. Most of what we sell is $3 or $4.

JR: I do a lot of wholesale and private label manufacturing, but the average pin for us is $12 to $18. We also sell dollar pins, which is a huge driver for us. So many people like digging through them.

MS: What really boggles my mind is that you two have started your shops when you’re competing for rents with big-box shops.

JR: The hardest thing is that if you could buy a T-shirt for $20 at Zara, do you really want to spend $15 on a pin? It’s cultivating that value, whether it’s for the designs or the quality. To keep the space, we have to sell 500 to 1,000 pins a month. E-commerce is a whole other entity for us. The store is self-sufficient on its own, which is great.

CW: My rent is very expensive, but I can pay everybody and pay my bills. Having our quarterly subscription box has been a game changer. We can count on it every three months, and we have 1,200 subscribers and a waiting list. Knowing that even if we have a slow month we can rely on that money makes a huge difference.

JR: For me, people always walk into the shop and they’re just like, Wow. Instagram is huge for us. If we had gotten on Instagram a year or two years later and the algorithm changed, our business would not have become half of what it was.

MS: I really don’t know Instagram and I’m realizing that I should get with it, but we recently changed our policy from “No pictures” to “Yes pictures.”

CW: I think that because there are fewer specialty shops, people are more interested in them. Most people are so confused by the concept that somebody in the 21st century would attempt to open a specialty shop, and because of that curiosity, they come by.

MS: We had a woman come into the store, and she spent all day here looking at the buttons and listening to the opera. At about four o’clock, we got a call from a man who said, “Did my wife spend the entire afternoon in a button shop?” He thought she was lying. It was true.

Case Study

CW Pencil Enterprise, 15 Orchard St.

A mold problem forced Caroline Weaver to vacate her first, 200-square-foot space last year. Her new store is double the size (and rent), but she’s managing just fine.

Key Factors

Everything in the shop is labeled, to eliminate the need for customers to ask questions. The exception is the more expensive pencils, which are close to the shop clerk. With those, Weaver says, people want to ask questions, and the more they know, the likelier they are to buy.

Colored pencils are in the front. “People overlook them, and they’re something you’re more likely to buy if you can compare them all,” Weaver says.

The sharpening and pencil-testing stations are at opposite sides. Weaver knew that’s where people would congregate. “A lot of decisions were focused on how to control the flow of people,” she says.

The average in-store purchase is $25. Online, that number grows to $40. Weaver suspects customers want to justify the shipping costs so they’re more likely to stock up.

A typical shopper will buy about 12 pencils each visit, along with one accessory, like a sharpener, a grip, or a notebook.

Most expensive non-vintage pencil: Mitsubishi Kohitsu Shosha; $7.50. “This is specifically designed for practicing Chinese calligraphy.”

Most expensive vintage pencil: An original Blackwing 602 from the ’60s; $75. “There’s a big collectors’ market for those,” says Weaver.

The Pencil Wall was designed for social media. And Weaver made sure there was enough space in front for people to stand back and Instagram it. “We get a lot of people who find us on Instagram and think our shop is cute,” she says.

The Pencil Vending Machine keeps people returning to the store. Weaver fills it with vintage advertising pencils that she buys from a collector in Colorado. For 50 cents per pencil, it’s become a cheap attraction. One couple stops by every Sunday for a new pencil.

The Sticker Department is hidden in the back. “It’s called the CW Sticker Emporium, and it’s a little secret thing that brings a different crowd of younger cool people. They make a beeline for the back of the store, and maybe they’ll buy a pencil, too,” Weaver says.

Weaver’s expected 2018 revenue is $1.2 million. She pays $9,000 per month for rent and sells between 1,000 to 2,000 pencils a day.

The Indie Book Model: Exploit the Barnes & Noble Void

“We’re all picking up the crumbs that the chain bookstores left behind when Amazon forced them to close,” says Sarah McNally, owner of McNally Jackson. The crumbs are enough for many indie-bookstore owners to create a thriving business, it seems, especially if they carefully curate their selection and sell merchandise that complements the store’s aesthetic. McNally, for one, flies to Japan for greeting-card shows, and Emma Straub, whose Cobble Hill shop Books Are Magic opened last year, has sold some 2,000 millennial-pink-branded tote bags. It’s a difficult business, to be sure. Owners face high rents and low margins. But still: It seems a good bookstore has a better chance now than ever of surviving. “We’re doing far better than we projected,” says Straub, who has consistently sold around 12,500 books per month. “People see us on Instagram and come visit from Japan. And our events have been so successful that I worry for the mental health of our events coordinator.” —K.S.

Case Study

McNally Jackson Williamsburg, 76 N. 4th St.

The first outpost of Sarah McNally’s successful Soho institution opened earlier this year. (Two more are on the way.) She got a good deal on the rent. The owners of the Lewis Steel Building, a converted factory, wanted an anchor tenant to give the space some buzz. A similar thing happened over at the South Street Seaport, where McNally will open another location soon. “Their goal was to bring in cool tenants, which they were very upfront with,” she says. Meanwhile, her Soho rent hasn’t risen much since she opened in 2004, though costs have increased: The property taxes are now well over $100,000 a year; when she opened, they were only $25,000.

Key Factors

McNally’s business is almost 100 percent brick-and-mortar. “Our website is just awful,” she says. “The user experience is literally a joke.”

The Williamsburg shop has had several “sure bet” events — writers like Michael Cunningham and Sloane Crosley. But events are difficult to monetize, she says. “If 100 people come, you’re lucky to sell 20 books.”

McNally is committed to having a magazine section in Williamsburg. “It’s currently 4.8 percent of our business,” she says. “Our magazine section in Soho is 6 percent, which is depressing because it used to be 10 percent.” Their profitability has become worse, too: McNally used to get 40 percent off her best-selling magazines; now she gets only 20 percent.

She sells lots of cards and stationery. Though she carries fewer in Williamsburg than in Soho, they still make up about 11 percent of the total business. In Soho, McNally Jackson sells about 4,000 cards a month. “Our best seller says ‘You’re One Succulent Motherfucker,’ ” says McNally.

So far, so good with the bathroom. But the Soho bathroom “breaks every week,” she says. There’s a methadone clinic nearby, and “people flush needles down the toilet. It’s easily tens of thousands a year for the fucking bathroom.” There is one benefit to the bathroom: When McNally moved it to the lower level, there was an uptick in sales in every section that’s downstairs.

Paperback fiction is 15 percent of the business, the biggest category in Williamsburg. There are 6,611 paperback-fiction titles in the Williamsburg store, versus 8,201 in Soho. “We have more books here than a 30,000-square-foot Barnes & Noble,” says McNally.

The kids’ section is quite large: 8,868 kids’ books, making up 14.72 percent of the business. “There are a lot of kids here, as it turns out.”

The Cooperative Model: Team Up With 69 Other Designers

Case Study

Flying Solo, 434 West Broadway

Here’s how Flying Solo, a fashion cooperative founded by jewelry designer Elizabeth Solomeina, works: Each of the 70 designers puts in two four-hour shifts a week at the 7,000-square-foot store, and membership fees, which cover rent, production, and events, are taken out of their individual sales. They each get a place to work (at a 5,000-square-foot space down the street) and a store that also acts as a showroom and photo studio. —K.S.

Virtual Store Tour: Click or tap on the above image and swipe or use your keyboard arrows to tour the store. For the best experience on desktop, enter full-screen mode.

What the Designers Say

“I’d noticed while working in the store that customers were drawn to other designers’ tactile materials, so I’ve started using more three-dimensional silhouettes and fabrics.” —Jenny Lai, NOT

“I’m working with people who would typically have been my competitors — they’re sharing with me secrets of their businesses — to try to help me.” —Anna Sokol, WeAnnaBe

“I couldn’t have my own space in Soho — the overhead for that location is extremely expensive. So it’s like Flying Solo prepares the table and we get to enjoy the dinner.” —Daniela Zahradnikova, DZ Zone NYC

“It’s great, free PR for us — between all the designers, they have so many friends and stylists who do editorial pulls. Because of them, we’ve gotten into Vogue Italia, Vogue Arabia.” —Sienna Li, Sienna Li LLC

The Web-First Model: Start Online, But Don’t Stay There

“We are going to shut the company down before we go to physical retail.” That’s what Everlane co-founder Michael Preysman told T magazine six years ago — five years before opening a shop on Prince Street. It’s not far from Warby Parker’s flagship on Greene Street. Also in walking distance: Glossier’s pink-and-white showroom, where teens and tourists come in droves to buy makeup they purchased for years online. Digitally native brands are the second-biggest category of new tenants in New York, according to Cushman & Wakefield. (Fast-casual food chains are the first.) Thanks to VC funding, they have lots to spend on rent, making retail a not-totally-risky endeavor. And it’s working: The stores we talked to said their brick-and-mortars are, for the most part, moneymakers. —Margaret Rhodes

Warby Parker

In-store best sellers: Percey glasses ($95). Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor

When Warby Parker first launched, co-founder Neil Blumenthal recalls, “people were saying, ‘Hey, can we just come to your office and try them on?’ And we were running it out of my apartment. So the first store was on my kitchen table.” Today, the glasses brand has 67 stores in the U.S., with 23 more coming this year. “When it’s our first store in a new market, we see some cannibalization off web sales for a few months. But it only lasts nine to 12 months. And then e-commerce starts to grow faster than it would have before,” Blumenthal says.

Away

In-store best sellers: The Bigger Carry-On ($245), in blue. Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor

In 2016, as a marketing experiment, Away ran a pop-up on Lafayette Street from May to September, selling its luggage as well as travel-themed trinkets. It was profitable within a month. Away signed a five-year lease on a permanent Bond Street store, and soon after, the brand saw a 40 percent lift in online sales in the New York market. Jen Rubio — who met her co-founder, Steph Korey, when they worked at Warby Parker — says each of the four stores around the country are profitable as stand-alone enterprises.

Everlane

In-store best sellers: The Day Heel ($145). Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor

In December, co-founder Michael Preysman opened the brand’s first permanent store in Nolita. Two months later, he opened the second in San Francisco.
Preysman says he didn’t intend to sign a lease but agreed to a ten-year one after seeing the skylights in the Prince Street store. “I was like, Holy shit, this is the brand in physical format.” For the first few days after the New York store opened, customers either needed an appointment or to wait in line to get in and shop. So far, Everlane’s averaging $4,500 of sales per square foot.

The Arrivals

In-store best sellers: The Moya III oversize shearling ($1,095). Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor

After exceeding their targets during a holiday pop-up in 2016 (then tripling revenue the next year), selling thousands of their leather jackets, Arrivals co-founders Jeff Johnson and Kal Vepuri have settled into a winter pop-up routine — one that’s almost rent-free. “Soho landlords all want a five-year signing at $90,000 per month,” Johnson says. “We don’t have anywhere close to the ability to do that.” So for the last pop-up, architect friends put in HVAC and got the storefront up to code in exchange for rent.

Some Other Questions You Might Have About This Unlikeliest of Booms

What’s with all the Sephoras? And why do so many stores have couches?

1. What other types of stores are doing okay?

According to Faith Hope Consolo, chairman of Douglas Elliman’s retail division, who likes to say “Retail is my detail.”

Beauty

“They’re booming. It’s all about Sephora and Blue Mercury and Ulta. But whether it’s natural beauty” — since 2011, Aesop has opened ten New York storefronts—“or the new Korean cosmetics chains” — Amorepacific, South Korea’s Estée Lauder–like company, has opened Aritaum stores in the city; Innisfree has an experiential Union Square store — “a lot of the single brands are expanding like crazy, and they’re going onto Madison Avenue, into Hudson Yards: M.A.C, Kiehl’s, Jo Malone, Milk.”

Home

“There’s a new crop of stores doing something special like bedding” — like Parachute Home, which is moving into a permanent Soho store soon — “or the new Casper mattress stores, where they create little mini-bedrooms and vignettes. It’s almost like a testing ground for the product. The Hästens store on Madison is the benchmark for that kind of specialty-experience shopping.”

Apparel

“It’s all about these big brands reinventing themselves: It doesn’t matter that H&M closed all those stores; they have new concepts with Cos and & Other Stories. Athleisure is a bright spot: Lululemon is expanding, Bandier is opening a massive flagship. But the trend is always for luxury: I mean, there’s Gucci, which just took practically a whole block in Soho — how about that. I don’t think you get bigger than that.”

Kids

“East Side, West Side, downtown, there are a lot of kids stores. I think it’s because there’s all these grandparents. You have a very wealthy customer base.”

—M.R.

2. Where might a storekeep hang her shingle?

Consider these on-the-up-and-up stretches.

Wythe Avenue: 1. Pilgrim; 2. Baggu; 3. J.Crew; 4. Mociun; 5. The Shade Store; 6. Muji; 7. Sandro; 8. Maje; 9. Rough Trade; 10. Kinfolk; 11. Wythe Hotel; 12. Halcyon; 13. Suitsupply; 14. The William Vale; 15. Fellow Barber; 16. The Great Ethos; 17. Bulletin; 18. Gant; 19. A&G Merch; 20. Credo Beauty; 21. The General by Vans; 22. Space Ninety 8; 23. Chrome Industries; 24. Aesop; 25. RRL; 26. McNally Jackson. Photo: Map by Jason Lee

Wythe Avenue

“When I opened my home-goods store six years ago, there wasn’t a ton there: It was Pilgrim, Brooklyn Denim Company, and Oroboro, which is now gone. Kinfolk was there, but they didn’t have the store yet. It was before Williamsburg turned into Murray Hill vibes and every Japanese-tour-guide book said to go here. Girls who worked at my store dated dudes who worked at Pilgrim. It was a little happy-family vibe.

I feel like I’m talking about a time 20 years ago; I can’t believe how fast it’s changed. The first wave started in April 2014, when Space Ninety 8, which is actually an Urban Outfitters, opened. Then in September came J.Crew. The second wave was nearby: RRL in October 2015, Levi’s, Scotch & Soda, and G-Star Raw that November, all in the building that would eventually house a Whole Foods. That was across from the Apple Store, which opened in July 2016; Muji followed the next year, in September 2017. And the hotels keep popping up: The William Vale, The Williamsburg Hotel, and this summer, The Hoxton. A lot of this happened on Wythe because it’s very commercial. The block also has an expansiveness to it. It’s like the Champs-Élysées.

I’ve watched my friends and a bunch of customers get priced out. But a lot of the people who’ve moved in are a little more affluent, which is good for us. We’re successful enough to afford the rent, so we’re going to stay here.”

—L.L.

Canal Street

Where $85 ceramic plates are replacing faded tourist tees.

In five years or so when Canal Street is unrecognizable, it’ll be thanks to two landlords. The first, Philip Chong Jr., who developed Canal Street Market, the 12,000-square-foot airy, natural-wood-lined bazaar and food hall off Lafayette Street and transformed New York’s last bastion of tourist crap and knockoff bags into a destination for ramen lovers and ceramic snobs. The Market is right down the block from Acne and Mansur Gavriel’s new headquarters. And a couple blocks down, Roman and Williams Guild and secondhand sneaker emporium Stadium Goods have opened shop. This new sheen is what the second landlord, Albert Laboz of United American Land, hopes to continue by upgrading all those empty Canal storefronts between Broadway and West Broadway. This summer, along with Laura O’Reilly at Wallplay, a platform that matches empty spaces with artists, brands, and programming, and Sonny Gindi, of the Instagram account @Vibes, they’ll turn their combined 22 vacant stores into mixed-media art galleries and experimental retail pop-up shops.

—L.L.

The South Street Seaport

Where Milan’s 10 Corso Como is arriving in the fall.

“It used to be snow globes and ‘I Love New York’ T-shirts,” explains Saul Scherl, president of the New York Tri-State Region at the Howard Hughes Corporation, which inherited the Seaport District in 2010. Two years later, when Hurricane Sandy devastated the area, the company saw an opportunity. “We had the chance to develop something different, not just another mall.” Central to their plot has been securing the right tenants. Among them: culinary stars Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Momofuku’s David Chang and much-loved New York originals like McNally Jackson, Big Gay Ice Cream, and Fellow Barber. But to really succeed, Hughes needed to secure an impressive landmark fashion retailer. It set its sights on 10 Corso Como and spent close to five years convincing — and insiders say, incentivizing — founder Carla Sozzani that the Seaport was the best home for its first U.S. flagship. She was convinced. This September, the boutique will open doors on a 28,000-square-foot space.

—Hayley Phelan

3. Why do so many new shops look the same?

The Linger-for-Hours Living Room

Photo: Joana Avillez

Why it works: “The more time you spend around a product, the more ownership you feel over it,” says consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow. “People don’t want to ask permission to touch something; they want to feel comfortable.” Stay-awhile approaches include the Apartment’s loftlike layout and Foundrae’s lending library.

The Minimalist Art Gallery

Photo: Joana Avillez

Why it works: “Today’s consumer is easily overwhelmed,” explains Yarrow. Stark white walls and clean-lined tables, like at La Garçonne in Tribeca and Away in Noho, create a pocket of calm designed to quell such anxiety. “Plus, when there’s less of something, it seems rare,” adds Yarrow. “Apple is a forerunner in understanding this.”

—H.P.

4. What happens when a store’s too popular?

Photo: Joana Avillez

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor

It used to be that a well-timed release of a limited run of goods made your store successful. The “drops,” as these releases came to be known, were a way to entice people into your space and create an energy and sense of necessity around the physical store. They were so valuable that, while they began in the then-insular world of sneakers, drops quickly went mainstream with Supreme, and now we’re at the point where Alexander Wang has announced he’ll be forgoing New York Fashion Week to refocus on droplike direct-to-consumer experiences. Birkenstock has even begun dipping its earthy sandals into the fray. But for the sneaker and streetwear worlds where they started, drops are no longer the blessing they once were. Past Nike releases were shut down after fights erupted outside the store. When Supreme and Louis Vuitton applied for a pop-up location to sell their much-anticipated collaboration line on Bond Street, they were denied — the local community board wasn’t interested in the commotion. So brands are rejiggering. Supreme now requires that customers sign up online to reserve time slots for Thursday “drop day” releases. But it’s Nike that is perfecting the Drop 2.0 with its SNKRS app, which has completely digitized the idea of the drop. Instead of guiding buyers to its stores, Nike is sending them to public spaces, like parks, where a technology called “geo-fencing” recognizes their location and allows them to cop a drop. —L.L.

5. Where did all the menswear boutiques go?

Low ✓

Photo: Joana Avillez

Streetwear brands like Kith, Palace, Noah, Round Two, Supreme, Maharishi, Aimé Leon Dore, and Off-White are going gangbusters. “Today’s savvy and in-the-know menswear shoppers, mostly between the ages of 18 to 35, are hyperaware of and increasingly loyal to specific labels that define the cult of streetwear,” says Lawrence Schlossman, brand director of Grailed, the online men’s resale shop. “They wear head-to-toe one brand.”

Middle ✗

Photo: Joana Avillez

For middle-of-the-road retailers, it’s either adapt or close. Earlier this year, multi-brand store Gentry, which specialized in American workwear and imported Japanese garments, shuttered because it seemed people would rather shop directly from Carhartt WIP. When Carson Street closed its retail shop in 2016, it announced that it would focus on its more classic menswear line, Deveaux.

High ✓

Photo: Joana Avillez

Bespoke-suiting shops, specifically transplants from London’s Savile Row, all happen to be opening here at the same time. Huntsman was one of the first to make the trip Stateside, opening in March 2016. Richard James was next, followed by British shoemaker Harry’s of London. Drake’s learned that 30 percent of its online customers were actually in New York, so it might as well sell directly to them here.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20

The Runway Authority Reviews Flying Solo NYFW

The “You can sit with us” mentality of the Flying solo brand has brought it a now 2.5 year consistent successful platform. This diverse platform doesn’t start and stop with the runway but includes a complete ecosystem built on “inclusivity” for independent designers looking for support and partnership in their careers. Support that includes a flagship store for designers to sell their designs in a prime location, a community workspace, the backing of media and PR and let us not forget the opportunity to showcase at the largest Fashion events in the world New York Fashion week and Paris Fashion Week.

Flying Solo 2019 A/W NYFW Collection

This season’s Pier 59 Studio show was the fifth appearance in New York an included Menswear, womenswear and of course accessories. As creative as the Flying Solo concept is this season’s theme brought their focus and mission to the forefront with “Transformation”. Over 600 guest attended and there was something for everyone. While some of the featured designers may be new celebs they definitely solidified their spot in the fashion kingdom. Also a not so shabby list of celebs in attendance as well included Alla Kostromichova – Ukranian model, TV host; Lola Karimova – visionary behind The Harmonist ; Influencers Mariah Bernardes, Sky Days , Sofie Valkiers . America’s next top model from season 24 Khrystyana Kazakova walked the show along with model Irene Stepanenko.

Flying Solo heads to Paris Fashion Week after their appearance in New York and we are excited that our friends across the pond get to be treated to a line up like you see below for this season!

(Photos by Kevin Higgins)

Designers featured:

DANIEL SILVERSTAIN

CHAENEWYORK

GUSTAVO MOSCOSO

MONOSUIT

NABYS VIELMAN

ELIAS GURROLA

CO.MODE

HALSTENBACH

DONNA ZHONG

RORA

ESMOD OSLO STAFF ONLY

ATOMIZEESTUDO

DISSIMILIS

NOT

TOBAMS COLORS

BEAM BOLD

WEANNABE

IZAYLA

ELENA GURANDA

SHABEEG

ALTHEA MINK

ZYNNI CASHMERE

NAZILA COUTURE

ROSE PAULINO

GH LUXURY LINGERIE

S TRIPLE H CLOTHING

EKAYE

YUFASH

MONZLAPUR

LEE PFAYFER

UNDERTOP

ELIZABETH BROWN

SIMONE ELLIS

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20

Flying Solo SoHo Store by Design Retail Online

New York-based fashion retailer Flying Solo has added its second standalone store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. Spread across 8,000 sq. ft., the new location joins an existing Manhattan outpost further north on Broadway. Conceived to serve as a platform for young designers, Flying Solo hosts 110 brands between both stores, WWD reports.

January 10, 2020

The new store spans two floors, with a showroom installed across the lower level. The showroom comprises four spaces dedicated to couture, menswear and ready-to-wear fashion, respectively.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20

Amersterdam News at Flying Solo in Paris

Flying Solo’s Paris Fashion Week show featured fashion collections of over 40 designers in an incredible presentation at Salon Marceau, just steps away from the Arc de Triomphe last Saturday. Their fabulous clothing, accessories, jewelry, and shoes left a packed house of top media, influencers, stylists and industry mavens in awe. For the entire afternoon of the presentation, a line wrapped around the building’s courtyard: it proved that Flying Solo’s shows have become the new scene for discovering fresh design talent from all over the globe.

Flying Solo in Paris

Designers’ collections offered chic eyewear from Numi Paris. Thuy Designs presented a mesmerizing collection of mixed-print dresses in sumptuous satin. Their presentation gave attendees a real idea of the latest dressing trends. Other looks included eveningwear, accessories, sportswear and swimwear. Flying Solo provides young designers opportunities for retail presence at their swanky boutique in Soho, N.Y. This is a wonderful opportunity for new designers to show their line to attract showroom representation, editorials, celebrity clients and runway show opportunities during New York Fashion Week. The brand has become an industry disruptor.

“We are thrilled that our show in Paris is met with such an overwhelming response from industry insiders,” said Elizabeth Solomeina, Flying Solo’s director/founder. “We are proud to have become a top resource for industry professionals to discover emerging talent. Flying Solo is providing designers with a high-end platform to showcase collections to top tier media, influencers, stylists, buyers and tastemakers.”

Founded and operated by designers themselves, Flying Solo has proved to be one of the biggest fashion platforms launching the careers of many independent designers. It was created as a unique, curated fashion retail incubator and showroom. Operated by a selection of talented, independent designers, the company consists of like-minded, creative and connected fashion professionals. They focus on closing the gap between designers and consumers, while exposing collections to press and media. Collections are available at Flying Solo’s flagship store at 434 West Broadway in New York City, or visit https://flyingsolo.nyc/.

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20

Fashionista.com & Flying Solo Retail

Following a direct-to-consumer model instead of relying on wholesale accounts has become the norm among young, emerging brands. This type of business is primarily achieved online through e-commerce, but Flying Solo in New York City aims to connect with shoppers face to face from a storefront in Nolita.

HOW DIY FASHION COLLECTIVE FLYING SOLO IS TAKING DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER RETAIL OFFLINE

This New York City-based storefront is run by 45 independent designers (and counting).

MARIA BOBILA

OCT 26, 2016Flying Solo in New York City. Photo: Flying SoloFollowing a direct-to-consumer model instead of relying on wholesale accounts has become the norm among young, emerging brands. This type of business is primarily achieved online through e-commerce, but Flying Solo in New York City aims to connect with shoppers face to face from a storefront in Nolita.

Founded by jewelry designer Elizabeth Solomeina, Flying Solo is a DIY fashion collective made up of 45 independent and local designers who have joined forces to afford a 2,000-square-foot space on Mulberry Street. "We want to sell to customers but we have no place to do so. With this concept, we basically cut out the middleman," says Solomeina. "Here, we can present our whole vision." The foot traffic is perfect for Flying Solo. Located on a quiet side street filled with small boutiques — just blocks away from Broadway's bustling strip of brand-name flagships in Soho — the shop welcomes a solid mix of tourists and fashion-loving locals.

As a result, the designers benefit from hearing feedback firsthand, and in return, they can immediately improve their product and brand.Though not run by the designers themselves, Tictail, an e-commerce platform, champions emerging designers as well — up to 100,000 sellers from over 140 different countries can be found within the site's marketplace — from its Lower East Side flagship in a similar fashion. Product merchandiser Anna Decilveo curates the brick-and-mortar's stock, showcasing new brands every week, along with special events. It doesn't exactly follow the traditional wholesale model because profits go to the sellers (however, Tictail does take a cut). Brand Assembly, founded by Hillary France, also highlights fledgling designers through its trade shows and a partnership with Lord & Taylor, as well as providing them with operational and financial services.

There are permanent locations in both Los Angeles and New York City to serve as co-working, showroom and conference room spaces. "The market share is so small, but there are so many talented designers," says France. "They have to band together to further their business."Minan Wong at Flying Solo in New York City. Photo: Flying SoloFlying Solo stemmed from Solomeina's own struggles as a designer, from finding retailers that would take a chance on a new brand (a rarity these days) to production and inventory costs. "I realized that the industry is truly broken," she says. After testing the concept with a series of pop-ups throughout the Upper West Side and Soho in February, Solomeina was able to find a long-term space to house 33 up-and-coming designers. With the help of an investor (who put down a deposit to hold the space), Flying Solo opened up shop in mid-June."

We got the lease on a Tuesday night and we had to open on Saturday," remembers Solomeina. "We didn't have money for construction, so we had to do it ourselves. I had tears in my eyes when we opened. It was amazing to see what we could achieve as a group because we really wanted it to happen."Since then, the collective is nearing 50 designers offering womenswear, accessories and jewelry. Chikimiki, one of the newer additions to Flying Solo, is run by Elise Dealmeida, who creates ethically made, high-end apparel; Kalamarie is a luxury handbag line founded by two sisters; SoCal designer Karie Laks adds ease to her sophisticated clothing, while S/H Koh offers jewelry inspired by architecture, sculpture and geometry. Solomeina says she has plans to take on menswear labels in the future.Together, the designers behind Flying Solo help pay for rent and additional expenses, such as electricity.

They are also required to work for the shop one full day per week, with up to four designers on the floor each day. Of course, if a designer needs to double-up shifts to skip a week for appointments or traveling, that's easily doable. "We have one designer flying from Dallas every other week to work her shift, which blows my mind. The level of commitment," says Solomeina. Aside from being sales associates, designers can also take charge of other roles, like managing the website or social-media accounts. All profits from sales go directly towards the brands, and because Flying Solo's existence relies on a team effort, Solomeina interviews each designer, handpicking those who are fit for the collective and open to working with others.Katie Lares at Flying Solo in New York City. Photo: Flying SoloApproaching Flying Solo's six-month mark, Solomeina hopes to provide free education to those outside of the collective.

"I see all of the mistakes that independent designers make when they start their brands, and I want to stop them from making [them]," she says. At the store, she'll hold seminars open to both professionals and fashion students on starting a brand, retail and finances. For the holiday season, Flying Solo will partner with a charity to present a fashion show and, most recently, the space held a meet-up for fashion bloggers and influencers.The space isn't all work and no play: there are birthday parties and housewarming get-togethers held within Flying Solo, too. "A lot of people say the same thing, 'Before joining the collective, I was in front of a computer in my studio alone,'" explains Solomeina.

"A lot of people were lonely. I was lonely myself. Knowing there were people like you out there — people who go through the same struggles — it's actually amazing. It's better."

Visit Flying Solo at 434 West Broadway Everyday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. .Want more Fashionista? Sign up for our daily newsletter and get us directly in your inbox.TAGSBRAND ASSEMBLYTICTAILFLYING SOLOBY MARIA BOBILA

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20

Business Insider & Flying Solo at New York Fashion Week

While the runway shows at New York Fashion Week might look glamorous, what goes into making them happen is anything but.

In preparation for one of the fashion industry's biggest events, I went to a fitting day hosted by Flying Solo, a curator of independent designers that sells clothes in its SoHo store. The brand is hosting a showcase on February 8 at Pier 59 that will feature the clothing of more than 70 designers, with each of the event's 80 models walking the runway in four different looks.

From models quickly switching outfits to designers making alterations on the spot, these photos show just how hectic a New York Fashion Week fitting day can be.

Behind-the-scenes photos show what a model fitting at New York Fashion Week is really like

While the runway shows at New York Fashion Week might look glamorous, what goes into making them happen is anything but.

From models quickly switching outfits to designers making alterations on the spot, these photos show just how hectic a New York Fashion Week fitting day can be.

When I arrived at 11:30 a.m., the fitting day (which started at 10 a.m.) was in full swing. Walls were lined with racks of clothes from different designers, and a piece of paper with the names of each collection was clearly marked to make items easier to find.

The space was packed with designers from all over the world getting ready to showcase their clothes.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

A closer look at the clothes showed just how different each of the designers' collections were. I saw jackets with fringed sleeves, a plethora of prints, sheer Cinderella-esque gowns, and more.

Each designer was responsible for providing eight different looks.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Flying Solo employees walked around offering to help designers with anything they needed. Flying Solo staff, designers, and members of the press wore lanyards to identify themselves.

Everyone, besides the models, wore lanyards.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

The space was packed with models looking for clothes from the designers they would be wearing on the runway. There was limited seating so a lot of people were either standing or sitting on the floor.

The space was full of models, designers, staff, and members of the press.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Since the Flying Solo fitting day ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there were a few designers just hanging out waiting for their models to show up.

Designers waited around for models to arrive.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

A sales associate at Flying Solo and aspiring designer, Aldrian Diaz, told me it was his first time working the event. He said he was already taking mental notes of how designers were keeping track of everything for when his time came to participate in the show.

A lot of the Flying Solo staff told me they also worked other jobs in the fashion industry.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Models walked in and changed right away so designers could see what alterations they needed to make. As I was walking through, I had to make sure to look around me because I didn't want to step on any clothes or bump into models being fitted.

Models and designers worked together to make the fittings run smoothly and fast.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Designers paused their work to keep a record of the models they had already fitted, helping the event to run smoothly.

A designer makes notes on their fitting list.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Designers and models referred to these lists throughout the fitting to easily keep track of who had tried on what, and what was still left to do.

Each designer was given a list to keep track of their models.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Models stood as designers altered the clothes they were wearing. At times, I heard some models giving their input on how the clothes fit and if they felt comfortable in each of the pieces.

Models stood around as designers examined how their clothes looked on.

Crystal Cox/Insider

Although there were models with a variety of skin tones, as a curvy girl, I found it disappointing that none of the models were close to my size at the fitting day.

For some models, this was just their first fitting of the day.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

While models were getting fitted, designers had their assistants take photos and video of how the clothes looked so they could go back and make any necessary changes later.

Most of the designers had at least one assistant.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

I saw a few designers sitting on the floor making alterations after fitting their models.

This designer was making changes to a top.

Celia Fernandez/Insider

Naima Mora, the winner of cycle 4 of "America's Next Top Model" was there for her second Flying Solo show and said she was feeling "relaxed" despite how stressed and frantic everyone looked around her.

Naima Mora has been modeling for 14 years.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

After the models were fitted, they had their picture taken in their designated outfits while holding up a piece of paper with their name and the designer they were wearing.

Every model will wear four different looks for the fashion show.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

At the back of the SoHo store, there was a table with deli meats, cheese, ciabatta bread, mini cinnamon rolls, croissants, coffee, and water for everyone to nibble on.

The food table was restocked at least twice while I was there.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Near the food table, there was a wall of headshots to show the 80 models who would be walking in the show.

Eighty models are walking in the show, according to a Flying Solo stylist.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

I thought the fitting day would just be about clothes, but I was pleasantly surprised to see there was a wall of accessories like handbags, jewelry, hats, and even sunglasses for designers to pair with their runway looks.

A lot of the accessories on display were one-of-a-kind pieces.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Stasi Berezovskaya was one of the Flying Solo stylists walking around making sure that everything was running smoothly. She also checked that designers were keeping track of the models they had already fitted.

Stasi Berezovskaya has been a stylist for almost three years.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Jewelry designer Silvia d'Avila was showcasing her simple yet statement making pieces for her seventh New York Fashion Week season. Her designs have been worn by Janelle Monáe, Cardi B, and Alicia Keys.

Silvia d'Avila holds a pair of her earrings.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Designer Alexandra Popescu-York is clearly embracing the dramatic sleeve trend that's set to be big in 2020. I was surprised to find that the inside of this frilled sleeve is actually lined with a sparkly gold fabric, so you can make a statement whether you wear it up or down.

Animal print is another trend that is slated to be huge in 2020.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Designer Claire Elisabeth was showing her collection for the first time at New York Fashion Week. She told me that her goal with making clothes is for the wearer to like what they see when they look in the mirror.

Claire Elisabeth told Insider she makes all of her clothes by hand in her Brooklyn apartment.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

As I was walking out at 1:30 p.m., I saw one of the few male models there. Joseph Jones told me that he had a busy day because he had another fitting, as well as a casting, and was walking in a show later that night.

Most models I spoke with said that NYFW is all about the connections you make.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Going to this fitting day proved that although fashion shows look alluring when they are happening, what goes into making them happen is what I would describe as organized chaos. But despite how hectic it feels, in the end, it all comes together.

As a big "America's Next Top Model" fan, meeting Naima Mora was the highlight of my day.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author(s).

Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20 Elizabeth Solomeina 4/13/20

Flying Solo at NYFW By Fashion Magazine 24

(New York, NY) February 11, 2019 – welcomed over 600 guests at their New York Fashion Week fifth show on Saturday, February 9th at Pier 59 Studios.
With “ Transformation ” as the theme for this show, Flying Solo redefined the power of creativity, unity and inclusivity of an independent designer scene.

The Huge Success of Flying Solo at NYFW 2019

FLYING SOLO BRINGS TRANSFORMATIVE FASHION, INNOVATIVE DESIGNS AND INCLUSIVITY TO NYFW ON FEBRUARY 9TH 2019 !!!
(New York, NY) February 11, 2019 – welcomed over 600 guests at their New York Fashion Week fifth show on Saturday, February 9th at Pier 59 Studios.
With “ Transformation ” as the theme for this show, Flying Solo redefined the power of creativity, unity and inclusivity of an independent designer scene.

Flying Solo fashion show with an energetic format and a focus on diversity demonstrated beautifully this concept with over 200 looks by more than 50 designers. The show is proving to be one of the most cutting-edge fashion events during New York Fashion Week presenting a wide array of womenswear, menswear and accessories.

Notable attendees included Alla Kostromichova – Ukranian model, TV host; Lola Karimova – visionary behind The Harmonist ; Influencers Sky Days , Mariah Bernardes , Sofie Valkiers . America’s next top model break out star Khrystyana Kazakova walked the show for second time along with model Irene Stepanenko. Headlining for the show this season was model/influencer Paulinha Sampaio .

With a mission of being diverse and inclusive, Flying Solo fashion show strives to deliver this message through their cast of models and designers all around the world.Founded by designers themselves, in just over 2.5 years since open, Flying Solo has proved to be one of the biggest fashion platforms launching careers of many independent designers. It was created as a unique, curated fashion retail incubator and showroom operated by a selection of talented, independent designers. Consist of like-minded, creative and connected fashion professionals, its focus is to close the gap between designers and consumers while exposing collections to press and media.

Elizabeth Solomeina, co-founder of Flying Solo said “We asked ourselves, ‘What if we collaborate instead of compete? What if we can create a successful brand that can change retail, and a model that can benefit designers?”

This Fashion Week, The Harmonist Perfume partnered with Flying Solo to celebrate stories of beautiful transformations. It’s a partnership that brings together two visionary entities that both break through the conventions of fashion and fragrance to create something significant: a new meaning for what is truly beautiful.

The mega social media sensation Snapchat is providing coverage for the entire show plus fittings sneak peaks to millions of viewers. A returning partnership with Ecru New York , Flying Solo’s fifth showcase is
supported by a team of talented artists for hair and makeup. A reliable and trusted transportation service for the show is being provided by UPS in their second time partnership.

YouCam Makeup once again collaborated with Flying Solo to bring the experience and excitement of the glamorous New York Fashion Week with virtual beauty try-ons directly from beauty fans smartphones.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Flying Solo for a second season to bring their runway beauty inspiration to life through a true-to-life virtual trial,” says Perfect Corp. CEO, Alice Chang.

“Through the implementation of AR and AI innovation, we are able to elevate the Fashion Week experience for fans around the world by offering an interactive, sticky, and engaging beauty try on that brings the runway to
life in seconds.”
For more information, visit Flying Solo’s flagship store at 434 West Broadway, “The Copper Room” at 76 Wooster St in New York City, or visit https://flyingsolo.nyc/ . The digital home for Flying Solo is
@flyingsolonyc across Instagram, Facebook, where the show will be livestreamed, featuring exclusive designer content.

Let’s explore better the great impact of Flying Solo and enjoy the backstage outtakes and catwalk pictures taken during this amazing event…No more words,just pictures…

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: A model walks the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Models walk the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Modela walk the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Models walk the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Models walk the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Models walk the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: A model walks the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: A model walks the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: A model walks the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: A model walks the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Models walk the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: A model walks the runway at the Flying Solo Fashion Show during NYFW February 2019 at Pier 59 on February 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Flying Solo)

BAGS

Katie Lares
Belier Belier
Volta Atelier
Couture Des Iles

CLOTHING

CHAE New York
Comode
Daniel Silverstain
Dissimilis
Donna Zhong
Elena Guranda
Gustavo Moscoso
Halstenbach
Lee Pfayfer
Monosuit
Monzlapur
Nabys Vielman
Not
Undertop
Weannabe
Yufash
Zynni Cashmere
Staff Only
Atomizees Studio
Althea Mink
Beam Bold
E. Kaye
Elizabeth Brown
GH Luxury Lingerie
Izayla
Nazila Couture
Rora
S Triple H
Shabeeg
Simone Ellis
Tobams Colors
Elias Gurrola

JEWELRY

Afle Bijoux
D.Sign By Mauro Pina
GBGH Jewelry
Hayden
Glamrocks Jewelry
Mimia Leblanc
Iza By Silvia D’Avila
Manifesto Jewelry
Preston & Linnie
Solomeina
The Modern Tales

HATS & SHOES

Go Clothed
AP Cult
Paula Torres Shoes
Ztone

Press contacts –
Son C Carlin
press@flyingsolo.nyc

Elizabeth Solomeina 5/28/19 Elizabeth Solomeina 5/28/19

New York Times Reviews Flying Solo NYFW

New York Times Reviews Flying Solo New York Fashion Week

For Indie Designers, Uniting Is a Survival Skill

At Flying Solo, a fashion co-op in SoHo, new looks from Daniel Silverstain.Credit...Danny Ghitis for The New York Times

By Valeriya SafronovaSept. 11, 2017

For an independent designer operating in a world of megabrands like Amazon, Zara, Nike and H&M, an old maxim may hold the key to survival: United we are stronger.At least that was the thinking Elizabeth Solomeina applied when she was struggling to find a way to show and sell the jewelry she designs without spending huge amounts of money on rent or outsourcing her work to various boutiques.“I needed a place to sell my stuff, I needed a customer base,” Ms. Solomeina said. “When stylists wanted to come over to my studio, I would tell them it’s in Brooklyn, and they would be like, ‘Never mind.’”I

mageA jewelry presentation at Flying Solo.Credit...Danny Ghitis for The New York Times

“I wasn’t alone,” she said. “I had friends like this, too.”So in the summer of 2016, she gathered 34 of them and together they pitched in funds to open a boutique called Flying Solo on Mulberry Street in NoLIta. Within three months, the group had expanded to 45 designers. In June of this year, it grew again, adding more than 20 to the roster and moving to a two-floor shop on West Broadway, on the same block as Missoni, Aesop and

Last Friday, during New York Fashion Week, the group of 68 held a two-hour-long presentation and runway show in the store, displaying more than 350 looks. During the presentation, models in neutral colors showed off jewelry and accessories, rotating every few minutes.

The runway show included a variety of aesthetic visions. Most of the pieces were the kind you could walk out onto the street wearing, and all were available immediately after the show.

ImageElizabeth Solomeina, the creator of Flying Solo, with Daniel Silverstain, one of the designers in the show.Credit...Danny Ghitis for The New York TimesAs techno beats and songs by Little Dragon, Migos and Sango pounded through the speakers, models strutted by in metallic and brightly colored pants and jackets (from Daniel Silverstain, who has designed for Solange and Lady Gaga); long coats with “Proud Immigrant” written across the back (from Ricardo Seco, a Mexican designer); tweed suits and knit dresses (from Kathrin Henon, who works with Dennis Basso); and much more.

Between each section of the show, models in silver pants and Flying Solo T-shirts created by the designers walked by with signs denoting the next designer’s Instagram handle.Flying Solo operates somewhat like a grocery or building co-op, with members paying a membership fee that goes toward rent, production and marketing costs for events like the fashion week show. Each member is required to work eight hours every week, opening and closing the store, cleaning and helping customers on the floor.When the team members opened their first store on Mulberry Street, they put together as much of the interior themselves as they could.

“We designed the racks, the shelving,” Ms. Solomeina said. “Our designers were sketching, running to Home Depot, assembling racks.” They were ready for customers in three days. On West Broadway, it took all of four.“It’s our sweat and I hope no tears,” Ms. Solomeina said.Flying Solo has had help from outside. Early on, Ms. Solomeina secured funding from Alex Barnett, an investor who has worked with technology companies and charities. Mr. Barnett saw in Ms. Solomeina’s proposal a model for the future.“A lot of them are really brilliant designers,” he said of Flying Solo’s members. “It’s a tragedy that the brilliance isn’t rewarded. A lot of times it’s who has a lot of capital or who gets picked up by a big brand or whatever the trend is at that moment.”

Speaking of the changes in the retail landscape that have been spurred by the advent of technology and the expansion of giants like Amazon, Zara and H&M, Mr. Barnett said: “I don’t think change should be feared. It’s creating space for innovation. Independent designers need to stop working against each other and realize they’re all on the same side.”

Editors’ PicksWhy Am I Having Weird Dreams Lately?What New York Looks Like Now: A Photo JourneyIn the Battle Against the Machines, She’s Holding Her GroundContinue reading the main story

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McNally Jackson Williamsburg, 76 N. 4th St.

The Cooperative Model: Team Up With 69 Other Designers

Case Study

Flying Solo, 434 West Broadway

The Web-First Model: Start Online, But Don’t Stay There

Warby Parker

Away

Everlane

The Arrivals

Some Other Questions You Might Have About This Unlikeliest of Booms

1. What other types of stores are doing okay?

Beauty

Home

Apparel

Kids

2. Where might a storekeep hang her shingle?

Wythe Avenue

Canal Street

The South Street Seaport

3. Why do so many new shops look the same?

The Linger-for-Hours Living Room

The Minimalist Art Gallery

4. What happens when a store’s too popular?

5. Where did all the menswear boutiques go?

Low ✓

Middle ✗

High ✓

Flying Solo 2019 A/W NYFW Collection

Flying Solo in Paris

HOW DIY FASHION COLLECTIVE FLYING SOLO IS TAKING DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER RETAIL OFFLINE

Behind-the-scenes photos show what a model fitting at New York Fashion Week is really like

The Huge Success of Flying Solo at NYFW 2019

For Indie Designers, Uniting Is a Survival Skill