Author: StyleCarrot

Marni Elyse Katz is a design writer and editor who lives in Boston and Cape Cod with her husband, two sons, and a cat. She blogs about design at www.stylecarrot.com

Boston Storefront Update: Alex and Ani Jewelry, Jack Wills, Michael Kors. . .

Quick post this morning because I’m in NYC… Here’s the new crop of stores spotted around Newbuy/Copley Place.

Alex and Ani: Boutique-y jewelry — bangles, hoop earrings, pendant necklaces — at prices mostly under $200. Definite cute addition to Newbury in the store formerly occupied by Simon Pearce. JUST IN : The Alex and Ani publicist tells me the shop will open October 17th.   Also, Simon Pearce has not shut down . . . they’re opening a larger store in the old Waterworks space just a hop, skip, and a jump way. Thanks Wendy for the info!

Jack Wills: The British answer to Abercrombie.

Jack Wills Jeep, making its way down the street. Yes, the steering wheel is on the other side.

Oh, sorry for getting the cars wrong… was sorta using Jeep as a generic term. In any case, a user has pointed out:

“Jack Wills is not using a Jeep, its a Land Rover Defender 90. Why would a brit use an american made jeep for a marketing vehicle. Land Rovers are the UK staple car.”

After closing up their space on the fancier end of Newbury Street early last year, Rockport returns in more modest digs.

Michael Kors is moving into Copley Place next to Jimmy Choo, because you can never have too many luxe retailers in one place. Now, if they’d only up the wattage of the bulbs in there.

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Event Alert: South End Open Studios This Weekend

This weekend is South End Open Studios in Boston.  All the major art buildings in the South End are open to the public – including the Boston Center for the Arts, Laconia Lofts, the SOWA buildings, the studios on Wareham and Albany Streets, the newly opened Art Block, and the Piano Factory.

A couple of my favorites:

Albertine Press

Shelley Barandes of Albertine Press, a small letterpress print studio, will be at Michelle Willey at 8 Union Park Street (between Shawmut and Washington) on Saturday, 11a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5p.m.

Next door, Aunt Sadies and Gracie Finn will be featuring dog art. And the Greek Church on the corner is having their annual festival. And on the next block, there’s Patch NYC.

PatchNYC

Don and John of PATCH NYC will be in the courtyard at their studio building at 46 Waltham Street (at Washington) on Saturday and Sunday selling  jewelry, scarves, candles, home accessories, and exclusive pieces, plus a random selection of their favorite things including beautiful books, Indian textiles, Bulgarian jars, ceramic sculptures, and bobble head squirrels (because seriously, every well-decorated home needs one).

Isabelle Abramson String Tied Vase

All the artists T 450 Harrison will be welcoming visitors into their studios, including one of my favorite local ceramists, Isabelle Abramson, who’s in Studio 411a. (I posted about her work here.)

And lots of other photographers, painters, printmakers,  jewelry makers, and more

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Shop Alert: J. Crew Mens Shop Opens in Copley; Women’s Expands

The J.Crew Mens Shop opened at Copley Place in Boston this week. This is the company’s first dedicated all mens store outside New York City. The original J. Crew store across the way is now entirely devoted to women. A definite improvement, but first, a look at the new Mens Shop.

Looks a lot like Brooks Brothers to me, from the dark paneling to the scripty gold logo. Hmm. Guess the women’s collection is not the only aspect going all fancy.  (You DID notice the $600 items in the fall catalog, didn’t you?)

Same clothing that was across the way last week, and I suppose the cabinetry isn’t dissimilar, but the vibe feels stuffier.

Table of ties. Could do without the tartan.

Chambray and gingham hankies.

Love the hunk of slag glass.

Retro fans and other objects behind the register.

Heading across the way to the original space . . .

The women’s store is now wide open.

A shoe department was added in the back. Love the picture wall.

And more jewelry cases are scattered around the store.

No complaints here.

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Covet: Heather Keiko’s Felt Necklace for Areaware


Felt necklace by Heather Keiko for Areaware


Heather Keiko is a Sydney, Australia based textile designer who creates hand-crafted
jewelry in felt.  This necklace is hand cut and sewn together using German wool felt. It has a simple hand made felt button and loop closure.

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Event Alert: Homemade: New York City

Homemade: New York City is a curated showcase of  hand-crafted products from a collection of New York artists, designers, and chefs that launches this weekend, September 24 – 26 in New York on the Lower East Side (139 Norfolk between Stanton and Rivington). There will be jewelry, clothing , housewares, and artisanal desserts. If I make it to New York a little early – I’m scheduled to go next week – I may just check it out.

BROOKLYNrehab • Fashion designer Alyssa Zygmunt rehabilitates handmade, vintage, and found objects.

Alma Handmade • Brooklyn-based line of handmade ceramic jewelry.

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