No. 6 has opened its extensive vintage archive to the public to sell pieces from big name brands like Alaïa, Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, and YSL to bygone icons of the ’60s and ’70s like Ossie Clark, Zandra Rhodes, and Alice Pollock. The new vintage emporium has taken over the No. 6 space in New York City’s Nolita nabe on Centre Street, while the No. 6 store moved down the block to No. 8 Centre Street. The boutique, which has long been a favorite of the fashion crowd, was founded by Karin Bereson in 2005. Outside of No. 6, Bereson has maintained her original career as a stylist and she amassed a collection of vintage clothing and accessories that she used for styling jobs and as inspiration pieces. “Mixing vintage pieces with modern clothing is the best way to inject layers of texture and personality into a fashion story, and create a more individual sense of style,” said Bereson. “Plus growing up in a time when all clothing is factory made and generic, vintage clothing can truly be seen as works of art.”
Expect pieces that span the decades from ’70s hippie attire and ’30 and ’40s glam lace, chiffon, and georgette evening dresses to ’50s era Hawaiian-print shirts. “Half the pieces feel like they are plucked straight from Alessandro Michele’s styling closet,” said Bereson. The store will also carry a selection of pieces created by Bereson that take inspiration from muses like Patti Smith, Talitha Getty, Francoise Hardy, and Faye Dunaway to compliment the vintage offering. If not for the fashion, swing by for a history lesson—the store was once home to American’s oldest gun shop, the famed Onieal’s speakeasy, and played host to photographer Weegee (a.k.a. Arthur Fellig), who was known for shooting footage of local crime from his windows, and served as an inspiration to Diane Arbus. It doesn’t get more vintage than that.
