Expressive Adornment at EVA Boutique NYC

New York can be dangerous for your pocket book… mostly because of the boutiques that carry designers hard to find and or barely discovered.  EVA New York on the Bowery is like a treasure chest full of whimsical and edgy pieces that work well in the downtown wardrobe. The selection is really quite amazing, racks and racks of unique pieces stretching throughout the store. I found several designers I’ve never seen before which made the discovery really exciting. Nothing makes it harder than to go to a shop, and say, oh yeah, you can get that at this store or that store. I didn’t feel that way at Eva at all. One day we went down there to have an interview with Eva’s owner, Stephanie Pippas to get to know the story behind this hidden gem.

 

The Coveted: What inspired this boutique?

Stephanie Pippas: I went to FIT for jewelry design. Got a job at No Art helping with production, design and trade shows and gained a wider perspective. Then went onto Showroom 7 for Erickson Beamon where I gained an even broader perspective. Jumped around to quite a few jobs then thought, “Well maybe I should just open a store.” I had my store for 8 years. It was located in mulberry st first – when Nolita was more up and coming/ a bit cooler. I live in Nolita and it’s my home. I relocated the store and now have been on the Bowery for 2 years.

TC: How do you scout out the designers you carry?

SP: They are all emerging designers. I do research through trade shows, looking in magazines and word of mouth.  A lot of designers pursue me.

TC Do you still work on jewelry design?

SP: Yes, I’m working on Collina Strada x EVA now.

Collina Strada x Eva necklace

TC: Whose the person that shops your store?

SP:  Someone really into fashion. Fashion as adornment that’s a bit more an expression of themselves and art as apposed to a girl who just gets up and puts on a “uniform” because they have to go to work. You know, like in the stock market a professional has to wear a suit and it’s very basic. I think definitely more creative people shop here. I have a lot of artist, models and you know people who are in the more creative world. A lot of fashion people are into this store. It’s really more of a “cult” following in terms of who likes these designers. The designers are not really known so it’s underground and it’s more industry oriented and people who are into obscure things.

To the general public, your typical person doesn’t really get it.  I also have an older, artsy fartsy type of women who can afford it. It’s not expensive, but it’s not inexpensive. Especially since the recession. Younger girls aren’t dropping 500 on a dress as much anymore.

TC: Who are your favorite designers:

SP: Diana Orving – (Sweden) interesting easy . there’s always some type of twist to it.

Mandy Coon – (NY) lots of leather

Moon Spoon Saloon – Danish designer

The Society for Rational Dress

Henrik Vibskov  - (Denmark) dress that she was wearing

Visit Eva New York at

355A Bowery
NY, NY 10003
212.925.3890

or shop online at www.evanewyork.net/store/

Tagged as: Accessories, collina strada, emerging designers, eva, handbags, Jewelry, New York, shorts, society for the rational dress, stephanie pippa