Friday, June 8, 2012

What happened to Lace Star????

I received a call from a professional dressmaker friend of mine, who had sent a particular client to Lace Star on 40th Street for inspiration and shopping, only to find that the store was no longer there! In this dismal economy, stores are shuttering faster than you can blink, and she was certain that this store had gone down the sudden, sad path that so many others have taken... that is, until she checked the internet, and discovered that they had moved!

Well, I was relieved to hear this, since they truly are a gem of a store, and I stopped in at the new location this week. On the third floor of a happy building on 38th Street, I stepped out of the elevator, made a quick left turn, and discovered... FABRIC WONDERLAND!



Okay folks, not only did they move... they have improved, expanded, and have the greatest, and most organized selection of delicious fabrics anyone could ask for! Take that, economy! They now have a new division/company, quite aptly named "Fabrics & Fabrics", which carries many new fabrics including brocades, cottons, silks, laces, woolens, velvets and more. The delightfully kind and polite salesperson, Rahman, was there to greet me and explain the selection and layout to me in such an incredibly patient way, that frankly, I wondered if I was still in New York City. Maybe I had taken the elevator straight to Oz (as in, the place where that famous wizard lives)?

There's space to move... to dance, even... which is exactly what you will want to do when you see all of the beautiful things they've got. This is definitely not another "more of the same stuff" store.

What appealed to me specifically, was a to-die-for beaded lace that was whispering my name softly from one of the shelves on my right. Apparently, Rahman heard it first, since he pointed it out to me, based on my loose description of what I was looking for.

I was also impressed by the lovely array of colors available in that elusive fabric, silk gazar. I love silk gazar for its sculptural quality, and just last year, was able to get up close and personal with a beautifully executed Valentino dress I was rearranging for a client which featured a silk gazar ruffled skirt, and inspired some design ideas of my own.




So, here's where you'll find them:

270 West 38th Street
3rd floor (between 7th & 8th Ave.)

And yes, they have a website.

And, correct me if you've had a different experience... they also have another fabric I love, but have trouble finding... cotton organdy! Call me old-fashioned, but what lovely, feminine dresses (for women and girls alike) can be made using the stuff!

Here's the deal. Daunted a bit by the prices, I did a bit of comparison shopping. On purpose. Looked in a few more stores to see what similar fabrics I could find. Guess what? Couldn't find comparable stuff. I had fallen in love with so many things, other stores felt like a let-down.

A little more eye-candy for ya... Is it for the bargain shopper? Nope, but you also won't keel over. You'll want to shop here mainly for your special occasion fabrics, but you will need quite a bit of time to commune with the aisles full of bolts, so plan to spend a good while there.

23 comments:

  1. how exciting! I'm much more in to lace now thanks to the Duchess of Cambridge and all her amazing lace dresses. I'll have to visit on my next trip!

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    1. I know! I've got a similar penchant for lace these days!

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  2. Even though I've been traveling from Boston to the Garment District for years Lace Star was always somehow missed, but on my next trip in July I must go there!

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  3. Well, if there's a stretch lace section I think I could hand over my well-earned cash (in the form of my ATM card). Lace Star, guide me tonight!

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  4. I visited once a few years ago and did't find the staff to be particularly helpful. Admittedly, I wasn't in the market for much; I was buying small quantities to use as samples for a class.

    But I've never marked them off my list of places to go for lace. The stores I always heard about were Lace Star and Sposabella.

    Good to hear they have a new location.

    New York Sewer

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    1. And definitely time to give them a fresh look!

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  5. I received an email from them yesterday asking, very politely if I'd mention their new address and pictures on my blog. You've beat me to it. Of course I couldn't just run in but I have been to their store and while I wasn't in the market for fancy I did buy some really high quality silk organza from them. I love how the new store is so well organized. They really had outgrown their old place.
    If you are shopping for a special occasion piece I agree that this is the place to go.

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    1. Nancy, as kind and professional as they are, I didn't need a push to post... it was LITERALLY coincidental timing! I went earlier this week, and was already taking pics inside! Retail fabric shoppers really don't know where to go "upstairs" for great fabric stores, so they do need to be publicized! In this case, they absolutely deserve great publicity!

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  6. Dear Mimi, Nancy, and other fabric lovers,

    Thank you for the post and for your interest to read the blog.

    Mimi - we believe you gave a very accurate description of our new location, and as you mentioned, our new division Fabrics & Fabrics carries many other fabrics besides laces!!

    We welcome all fabric aficionados to visit us soon!

    Many thanks,
    Lace Star / Fabrics & Fabrics Team

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  7. I could have LIVED at the old Lace Star store, but this one looks like an even better piece of heaven! Yea!!

    I always splurge on a little bit of ~something~ sumptuous from that store. A half yard to make a clutch purse won't break my bank. Last visit, the clerk & I got to laughing over something...I forget what...but life doesn't get much more fun than when you're in Lace Star with a big grin on your face and beautiful new fabric in your bag! :)

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  8. Oh my ~ cotton organdy!!! I have looked all over for that just a few months ago. The best I could do was a small piece off e-bay (so iffy, but it worked out ok), but even there could only find black and white. I am so happy - see? Happy dance!!
    Blessings,
    Patti

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    1. I know! It can be so hard to find, and so annoying to look for when the the staff at different fabric stores have NO IDEA what you are talking about. At Lace Star, the ever-kind Rahman (salesperson) was able to explain to me what makes organdy organdy, even. Limited color range available, but I do think they had a soft, pretty pink in addition to black and white... Very helpful!

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  9. Oh, but I don't see a way to order on-line. Since I am far from Miami and even further from NYC, do they do phone orders? Maybe with swatches?
    Blessings,
    Patti

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    1. I don't know about on-line ordering, but I'm certain you can call and ask. They are definitely interested in having your business!

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  10. I just shopped at the new location for the first time yesterday and WOW! They have some fantastic fabrics! Oh, and just about everything is on sale at the moment.

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    1. I know! Seriously! Like gotta-see-it-to-believe it, right???

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  11. Oh, my heart dropped when you mentioned they had shut down. Well, I haven't gone to Lace Star in about a year now, but I've always shopped there. Amazing!!! I bought all of my bridal party's fabric including mine from them and off-course they were all silk. I was even able to get a Donna Karen piece, yup! Thanks to them, my bridal party looked awesomely sweet, even my little flower girl had on a silk dupion and chiffon dress with a silk ribbon belt and flower. Very friendly staff, they remember you and they are always willing to assist. Will be going there within the next month as I will be MCing for a wedding in Africa and I AM IN THE MOOD FOR A RED EXQUISITE RED DRESS....:) Cheers!

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    1. They have a great new website. Have you seen it? http://fabrics-fabrics.com/

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  12. They do online orders fourkid, however they have limited selection. You really need to visit this store to see exactly what Mimi has described, but if you know what you are looking for, please give them a call and they will send it to you in like a twinkle of an eye. They are awesome.

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    1. You've visited the website? I wouldn't call it limited, considering how much is on there. Perhaps, compared to what they have in the store, huh? http://fabrics-fabrics.com/

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  13. I visited this store to look for the materials for my daughter's wedding dress. Believe me, I was a very satisfied customer when I left. I love a store I can walk around in without stepping over rolls and bolts. The sales associate who worked with me was fantastic. The prices were not cheap, but fair. This is my new favorite store.

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    1. Yes, but the quality isn't cheap either, so everybody wins!

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