Lower East Siders Beware! Self Edge New York & 3sixteen have landed!
July 24, 2009 As some of you may know, I am as much of a passionate practicing architect as I am a photographer, and I manage to do both simultaneously in the crazy city that is New York. One of the latest design projects I am very proud of is the new Lower East side retail showroom for Self Edge New York, a three year-old denim mecca based in San Francisco masterminded by Kiya Babzani, who has succeeded in assembling a collection of Japanese artisan-crafted denim brands that have been previously inaccessible here in the US. Concurrently, the showroom is also shared by Self Edge's partner, 3sixteen - a six year old contemporary menswear line based in New York which will feature their entire collection every season, as well as product manufactured in small numbers exclusively for the store. 3sixteen's brainchild and fellow designer - Andrew Chen, is one of my oldest friends, and I've had an amazing privilege to be 3sixteen's project architect for the vision and design of the new store.
Andrew, his partner Johan Lam, and Kiya of Self Edge knew exactly what kind of atmosphere they wanted to create for the store. Andrew scoured sites and picked up many of the environmental pieces himself. Salvaged antique furniture, stained woods, oxidized patinas and rustic architectural details would reign supreme, as much of their collection harkens a return of the wasteland of modern day over-mechanized/over-produced apparel to a time when worn goods were valued by the degree of their hand-crafted integrity. This intent sparked a rigor of ensuring simplicity in presentation - to a point where the interior design would respect the product as the centerpiece of the space. The new retail partnership will also house 3sixteen's design studio and creative team.
I hold wearable goods to a high standard of workmanship, and 3sixteen has put out some uniquely crafted pieces lately. My favorite? Their Quoddy Deck Chukkas. I wear the black ones to every wedding photoshoot.
Self Edge NY with 3sixteen will have their grand opening this Friday, July 24th. I am excited.
Photos/Images courtesy of 3sixteen
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