An offshoot of Barneys New York, the CO-OP offers younger, edgier and trendier labels than its uptown flagship. Designer wares can be found from Alexander Wang, Daryl K, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ksubi, Stella McCartney, and Vena Cava. There are two downtown locations - one in Chelsea on 18th St and another in Soho on Wooster St. Twice a year in late February and late August, the masses converge at the Chelsea store for Barney’s infamous Warehouse Sale.

BBlessing has set out to redefine the retail experience as it pertains to modern life. Featuring men’s fashion, men’s and women’s accessories, music, and a unique, tightly edited selection of bleeding edge art, BBlessing gives artists the opportunity to showcase their work in an unconventional setting to reach a new, ever-changing audience. The space is a constantly evolving environment designed by Daniel Jackson of the renowned art collective Surface To Air. Within the boutique, a gallery exhibits quarterly works by group and solo artists.

One of “New York’s Best Kept Secrets,” Century 21 has more than fifteen departments of European and American designer merchandise at 25%-75% off retail prices. Designers include Marc Jacobs, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Helmut Lang, and Calvin Klein, among others.

Cool, very hip styles from Italian designer Ennio Caspasa: men’s and women’s clothes plus shoes for those who would like to build a classy, minimalist and up-to-date wardrobe from one of the fashion world’s top designers.

No wonder Sex and the City chose Ina as the place to hold its final wardrobe sale of garments worn by the fashionably frocked cast of four. Although you won’t find anything left from Sarah Jessica Parker’s wardrobe, hip downtown gals will still find plenty of gently used, but still fabulous designer clothes at very reasonable prices. There is also an incredible variety of shoes including labels from Miu Miu, Prada, Sigerson Morrison, Gucci, and Manolo Blahnik.

The stunning New York flagship store of Kiki De Montparnasse (named after Man Ray’s muse) is located in the heart of SoHo. Laid out over two floors, including a 1200 sq ft gallery, this famous erotic lingerie boutique houses a collection of sophisticated lingerie, ready to wear, jewelry and intimate accessories, as well as home, bath, body and beauty products.

This ultra-chic, lifestyle store is modern, friendly, and downtown-cool. Merchandise is arranged by designer, and there is a whole gamut of fashion luminaries from Chloé and Balenciaga to Alice Roi. The array of shoes and accessories includes products from Sonia Rykiel, Anna Hindmarch, Lulu Guinness, and Lambertson Truex.

Owned by one of Australia’s hippest designers, the Nolita flagship store Ksubi offers some of the best denim around—pieces that you’re bound to see Kate Moss and the Olson twins sporting around town. But don’t go just for the jeans; Ksubi also offers fashionable sweaters, dresses, shirts, and sunglasses.

Though not a shop, per se, New York-based designer Lauren Felton’s line debuted with her women’s collection a year and a half ago at the Spring 2004 Gen Art Fresh Faces show. Now, upon completing her fourth collection, Lauren’s trademark is an intellectual and sculptural approach to construction—a thoughtful and serene beauty that unites each piece. Her clothes can be reconfigured and worn in multiple ways to create new and altered garments for different moments and moods. Felton sells her collection in specialty boutiques in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Singapore.

So unassuming in a two-story brick building with virtually no signage, this store attracts clientele like fashion editors and fashionistas who pop in and out for clothes, shoes, accessories, and must-have jeans—anything labeled Marc Jacobs.

Nom de Guerre is located in a multi-level subterranean space that is well known in downtown circles as a former meeting place of the Black Panthers. The store carries streetwear and rare sneakers of the best fashion labels the world can offer.

Odin, at both locations, is known for its fantastic service and style. It’s where elegance meets streetwear meets accessories—for men, that is. That’s right, this place is menswear only—bags, rings, jewels, fragrances, gift items, and books. The creative clientele browse through deconstructed selections including unconventional wool blazers with asymmetrical details. Hip t-shirts, shoes, and designer jeans are a plenty, and featured brands include Engineered Garments, Trovata, and Surface to Air, among others.

Opening Ceremony is a multi-faceted environment combining retail space, showroom, and gallery. Their focus is on emerging American talent, as well as young international designers and artists. Pieces from notables such as Renee K, Amus Kitterick, Oi, and Lo Sang are sold alongside one-of-a-kind vintage pieces from Hong Kong. Prices run the gamut from inexpensive to expensive depending on the showcased designers.

This vintage Nolita hot spot has a selection that stands apart with sought-after pieces by Emilio Pucci, Courreges, Gucci, and Halston, to name a few. Though prices are lofty, Resurrection’s stylish customers don’t mind laying out the cash for what they know will be elegant designer or modish ’60s and ’70s pieces. And, the funky store is easy to navigate since it’s arranged by color and style.

A cutsie little boutique in the Lower East Side, Shop’s pink walls and floor encase a collection of fashionable treasures. The décor, including vintage mirrors and dangling lanterns, resembles a fancy, old world bedroom. Though a bit pricey, Shop is continually worth a look if even just to browse the many boutique circuit designer threads hanging on the racks like Rouge, Tracy Reese, and Alicia Lawhon.

Located just one block south of Tribeca Grand, Steven Alan is a lofty showroom featuring the city’s best, along with undiscovered designer clothing, accessories, skincare, shoes, and even music for both men and women. You will find Steven’s own designs as well as those of emerging designers such as Ong, Veena, Rittenhouse, Stellapop, and Christopher Dean.

Founded in 1992, TG170 existed long before the Lower East Side became the shopping destination for fashion savvy New Yorkers that it is today. Originally an art studio, it evolved into a boutique as young designers began expressing an interest in selling their clothes there. TG170 now prides itself on selling interesting collections by young and local designers together with more well-known brands. They currently stock collections by Surface 2 Air, Beckerman, Stetsis; jeans by Cheap Monday, Judy Rosen and J Brand; and a fabulous selection of accessories including purses by Rachel Nasvik and scarves by Sunshine and Shadow.

Yoko Devereaux’s freestanding store in Williamsburg is the first location worldwide to house the entire Yoko Devereaux collection. Additionally, in the spirit of Yoko Devereaux’s history of collaborations, the store also includes complimentary womenswear line H. Fredriksson, jewelry by In God We Trust, and actor Alan Cumming’s beauty line appropriately titled ‘Cumming’.

This SoHo boutique is the brainchild of famed stylist Nevena Borissove. With locations also in LA and Miami, Curve carries the cream of fashion’s cutting edge crop with collections such as Tim van Steenbergen, Helmut Lang, Jasmine di Milo and Isabel Marant. The boutique itself is beautiful with wooden floors and rustic racks, ensuring a fresh shopping experience that gives its clients a new perspective on chic.