Victorian meets grunge was the inspiration for Suzanne Rae’s Fall 2011 collection. Brooklyn designer Suzanne Pelaez juxtaposed highly structured pieces with more casual, flowy designs. This dynamic was best displayed when the designer paired a layered skirt reminiscent of a Victorian bustle with a midriff baring half top.

Jewelry can take any outfit from drab to fab, especially if you are wearing a one of a kind piece. Eric Levine, owner of the online shop Affordable Vintage Jewelry NYC, scours estate sales, antique markets and auctions to locate exceptional vintage necklaces and bracelets.

In a city filled with retail giants, Ikou Tschüss brings something special to New York; the beauty of handmade clothing. Swiss designers Carmen D’Appollonio and Guya Marini, create unusual material mixes by combining softer textures like silk or cashmere with rugged leathers and metals. Their Soho store carries one of a kind scarves, shirts, pants, dresses and skirts. Each piece is handcrafted by the designers or their network of friends and grandmothers.