Nolita » Markets of New York

Photo of the Day – September 22, 2011: Rockin’ Legwear from Box 185

I spotted a striking woman with extremely groovy boots at the Hester Street Fair last weekend. The woman is Sara Keiser of fashion design company Box 185. And sure enough, they were not boots at all, but rock-n-roll leg warmers!

We’re not talking 80’s Flash Dance leg warmers either. We’re talking 2011 spandex, feathers, fur, ribbons, and sparkles. The unique styles can be worn up to the knee or thigh. You can twist them around the leg so the adornments swirl like a barber shop pole. They also have an opening for the heel of your pump to slip through so the leg warmer can fit snugly around your arch.

It you are in a rock band, or aspire to be one day, you absolutely must stop by and see Sara’s creations. She also has a remarkable, full fashion line of dresses, skirts, pants, vests, and accessories, although these words feel completely inadequate to describe the collection. Sara also creates equally fantastic feather jewelry. You really have to see everything to understand just how chic and wild these designs are.

You can find Sara this weekend only at the Young Designers Market at 328 West 14th Street in the Meatpacking District. She is usually at the Young Designers’ Nolita location at 268 Mulberry Street (Note: that location is closed this weekend). She may be back at Hester Street soon as well.

Check her website to see amazing photography; read her fun, beautiful, and inspirational blog; and make an appointment to meet Sara in person at her studio on the Lower East Side.

Rock on!

Weekend Market Picks – July 30-31, 2011 and Brewla Bars Video

We have a new video blog! Watch this interview with Rebecca from Brewla Bars. Brewla Bars are frozen pops made from brewed beverages, like coffee and tea. They have a frozen root beer float bar that I can’t get enough of. You can find them at the Fulton Stall Market every Sunday. And please support their awesome Kickstarter Crowdfunding Project!

For my Market Picks this weekend, I’m thinking about Lower Manhattan. There are some wonderful, established markets that stay enticing and exciting by keeping outstanding sellers and bringing in new ones all the time. An afternoon stroll through all of these markets takes you through Soho, Nolita, the Lower East Side and points in between.

Saturday and Sunday

Ahkun Summer Pop Up Shop: Ahkun is a non-profit organization that connects micro-financed companies to the global marketplace. They are holding a pop-up shop at the Lower East Side Girls Club. Shop for “style with a conscience,” featuring fair trade organizations, independent designers, sustainable brands, and gourmet popsicles!

St. Anthony’s Market: I love strolling through this market on Houston Street because there are always so many interesting vendors there. Plus, it’s wide open, right on the sidewalk, and easy to get to. I bet you’ve walked by it a million times. So this weekend stop, chat and stop!

Nolita Market: The Nolita Market is on Prince Street between Mulberry and Spring Streets. This is another sidewalk market, set against the beautiful backdrop of the brick church wall at the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s a nice walk from St. Anthony’s so make sure you hit both!

The Market NYC – Young Designers Market: This is a market you have to visit on a regular – and frequent - basis because there is so much design talent in jewelry, fashion, and accessories. They have two locations every weekend now, the original at 268 Mulberry, just around the corner from the Nolita Market, and the other at 328 14th St. in the Meatpacking District.

Essex Street Market: This indoor market is a haven for foodie explorers. There’s a lot to discover, from the cheeses, the breads, and the fresh fish, to the international foods, the handmade chocolates, and the Italian gourmet food shop. It’s also the home to La Tiendita, the city’s only “girl made and fair trade” social venture business, founded in 1998 by the Lower East Side Girls Club. So visit their facilities for the Ahkun Market, and then stroll over visit their shop, La Tiendita, at the Essex Street Market for some delicious baked goods!

Have a great mid-summer weekend! And don’t forget to tell us about your own Market Haul!

Photo of the Day – August 12, 2010: Mano Jewelry Designs

The Old Cathedral Market on Prince Street in Nolita is picturesque against the churchyard’s old brick wall. It is a relatively small market, but it is filled with some pretty amazing handmade crafts. Under one umbrella halfway down the block, you will find Mano Jewelry Designs. This artisan creates handmade rings, necklaces, and cuffs in silver for men and women. He uses rich and unusual accents in his pieces. His silver rings and cuffs have bands of ebony wood around them. He has one large men’s ring in silver and ebony with a black diamond embedded in it. The combination of the earthy ebony with the dark diamond makes a seriously masculine statement.

The ebony bands come in narrow and wider widths and sizes, and people have chosen them as wedding bands. The silver bands pictured also come in sizes for women and men. Each piece exudes quality craftsmanship, care, and attention to detail.

Stop by Mano Jewelry Designs and see for yourself at the Old Cathedral Market on weekend days!