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In 1992 the gentrification of the Lower East Side of Manhattan was ten years away. The creative vibe of the area was still potent cultivated an inspiring home for many artists. Terri Gillis was already taking advantage of the creative vibe throbbing in the area, but decided to take it a step further turning her studio into a store where she and fellow artists would be able to sell their designs. TG-170 became the first boutique on the Lower East Side.

The direction of TG-170 is not steered by mass market trends, but instead fosters burgeoning designers which later end up in chain stores, like Cheap Mondays, a Stockholm based denim company now featured in stores like Urban Outfitters and the Swiss made Freitag bags, popularized by hipsters and bike messengers worldwide.

Though Freitag and Cheap Monday are draws to the boutique whose white exterior is embellished with graffiti, the real draw is the stark white interior with man-o-war chandeliers floating from the ceiling and unique, exciting, fresh designs from independent craftsmen and women.

Gills was the first to carry Built by Wendy, a Chicago native who makes a killer pair of straight leg corduroys. Los Angeles based designer Pade Vavra is taking the Lower East Side by storm with her unique jewelry pieces. Sretsis, the label from Parsons School of Design genius, Pim Sukhahtua, is a treasure of whimsy and modernity.

The stock at TG-170 is always changing, just like New York neighborhoods, but the authentic appeal and genuineness are just like New Yorkers; constant.

POSTED BY BoutiquePeek ON 06/17/08 23:06 PM

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