Ferry Culture

Fashion News from the South Street Seaport: Move Over Mall Rats, Here Come the Tastemakers

New York City’s up and coming fashion district is just steps away from the Wall Street Ferry Landing. Who knew? Brother Vellies and Corso Como, among other designers and boutiques, are making this former tourist spot a fashion destination

By Anya Sacharow

It wasn’t so long ago that the South Street Seaport was a tourist destination — a hub of chain stores, fast food outlets and street performers. But the reincarnated Seaport District is fast-evolving. Not only did Tommy Hilfiger choose Pier 16 to stage his September show, it was recently announced that 10 Corso Como, the Italian art/books/fashion/food/music boutique founded by tastemaker Carla Sozzani will be opening its US flagship at the Seaport next year. Other designers are making the district their home, too, both retail and business headquarters. Here’s a look.

BROTHER VELLIES

Founder/creative director Aurora James lives in Brooklyn, but set up the first retail shop for her shoe line, Brother Vellies, at the Seaport. Velskoen or vellies, a South African desert boot, was James’s original offering. However, Brother Vellies now also offers heels, slippers, sandals, and bags, all handmade by local craftspeople in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Morocco. Materials include leather, denim, fur, feathers, hand beading, and recycled tires. Check out the knee-high Coyote Florence Boot, with an overlay of coyote fur patchwork ($3,500).

brothervellies.com
4 Fulton Street
South Street Seaport
Walking distance from Wall Street /Pier 11 Ferry 5 minutes
Instagram: @brothervellies

Pier 11 / Wall Street Ferry

WILLIAM OKPO

With this fresh and funky label, designers/sisters Lizzy and Darlene Okpos’ pay homage to the impeccable style of their dad, William, who immigrated to New York from Nigeria in 1976 with $80 in his pocket. (Their mom followed soon after). Recent collections have echoed sixties grooviness, and paired voluminous silhouettes with bright colors. Despite the Okpos’ status as fashion darlings (the iconic Solange Knowles is a fan), their boutique also has a homey vibe.

Williamokpo.com
6 Fulton Street
South Street Seaport
Walking distance from Wall Street /Pier 11 Ferry 5 minutes
Instagram: @williamokpo

WILLIAM OPKO

OF A KIND

This retailer of indie brands, headquartered at the Seaport’s Fulton Street, doesn’t have a bricks and mortar store, but you can check out the well-curated collection of fashion, jewelry, beauty products and home goods at Ofakind.com. There are NYC based designers, like Loup, Lizzie Fortunato jewelry and the Brooklyn-based arts collective Fort Makers, but also talent from around the country. The intriguing part of the site, founded by college friends Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo (now owned by Bed Bath & Beyond) is reading about the designers’ inspirations and backstories.

Instagram: @ofakind

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