ONCE KNOWN AS ANTIQUES ROW, THIS OLD NEW YORK CITY STREET IS GETTING A STYLE UPDATE. T+L TAKES A TOUR.

From August 2010By Christine Ajudua

The Banquet

When you enter the Banquet you’re likely to find the owners—dressmaker Miranda Bennett and accessories designer Pamela Johnston—hard at work. The duo, who met at Parsons, make almost everything you see, from the flirty silk dresses to the Frida Kahlo–style hairpieces. 360 Atlantic Ave.; 718/522-6906.

JULY 12, 2010

"...in today's increasingly communalized New York, sharing of everything...is suddenly modish, promoted by city officials... by entrepreneurs, and pursued by legions od everyday citizens."

What to Buy: Cove dress by Miranda Bennett, $285

BROOKLYN'S HOTTEST SHOPPING BLOCK REVEALED
5/10/10
By: Christene Barberich & Kristian Laliberte

Atlantic Avenue used to be the home of lots of great, old and crusty antiques stores, and thankfully, there are still a few. But lately a little strip of Brooklyn's Boerum Hill has become a smokin' hot-bed of cool new addresses, well worth more than a drive-by before you hot-step it to the Brooklyn Flea this summer. We focused on the particularly sweet stretch between Hoyt and Bond streets, and sussed out our favorite spots for getting the old-world neighborhood vibe in a new way.

3. The Banquet: The lovely ladies of the boutique The Banquet recently changed their name and overhauled their stock. Lucky for you, you can still score lots of co-owner Pamela Johnston's pretty jewelry pieces under the name Plume, and co-owner Miranda Bennett's easy-elegant silk mini-dresses. Bonus-points: The duos second-hand finds, from mod furnishings and bizarre old books to vintage blazers.
360 Atlantic Avenue (between Hoyt and Bond streets); Brooklyn; 718-552-6906

SEE THE FULL ARTICLE, HERE.

A BANQUET ON ATLANTIC AVENUE

03/30/10 — 15 comments

A dinner hosted by the Banquet
As I walked along Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue in the rain, I was shocked at how many shops had popped up on this block. Alongside some great antiques stores, a Jonathan Adler showroom, and a few art galleries live a series of designer boutiques. And I had heard of none of them! I’d stumbled upon the anti–Madison Avenue. Small designer shops with no frills and no fuss, just cute clothing and people, designers and shop owners alike, trying to live the fashion dream.
The fashion press is all too often a slave to its own success. They gotta cover the people who buy advertising. And there are simply too many emerging designers to feature. No one could ever spotlight everyone, talented or not. This was my thought as I walked toward the Banquet, a new shop in Brooklyn owned by, operated by, and featuring the designs of Pamela Johnston and Miranda Bennett. (You may remember my four-part post on Johnston’s wedding dress from last summer.)
The Banquet shop
The two women had invited friends to a dinner within the shop. Surrounded by Bennett’s affordable and flirtatious frocks and Johnston’s feminine baubles and bows, the invitees took their seats at the table: a fashion designer, a writer, an accessories designer, a fashion photographer, a stylist, and the two shop owners. We feasted upon hummus and grape leaves and couscous (80 percent of the table was vegan!). The red wine and Prosecco spilled over. And there, on Atlantic Avenue, on display for those braving the rain and walking the street, we dined in the shop window. And we talked.
The Banquet’s baubles and bows
We discussed the hardships of breaking into the fashion world, especially when you’re creating your own line. We discussed experiences, great and horrific, working with fashion editors and top stylists. We discussed the joy the designers have when interacting with clients who walk in off the street. And we talked about the obligatory design icon of the day, Lady Gaga. Our stomachs and minds were full. Inspiration was the recipe of the day.
As I buttoned up my Helmut Lang raincoat and opened my Burberry umbrella, I glanced back inside and thought about all the unknown fashion talent on Atlantic Avenue. And throughout New York City, the USA, the world. And I made a vow to seek out new talent and unknown designers and not just accept what is force-fed to me by the fashion press and fashion people. My eyes darted next door to a men’s shop, Hollander & Lexer. I wanted everything I saw through the window and would have bought much in my wine-induced haze. Thankfully for my wallet, they’d locked up and gone home.
Yet another reason to return to Atlantic Avenue.

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MB Press

Clippings.

Shopping Brooklyn’s Atlantic Ave

ONCE KNOWN AS ANTIQUES ROW, THIS OLD NEW YORK CITY STREET IS GETTING A STYLE UPDATE. T+L TAKES A TOUR.

The Banquet

A BANQUET ON ATLANTIC AVENUE