Inspiration: Black on Black

photos by Maxime Ballesteros via Style.com

SPIEWAK FALL 2012 PART I

MEN

   

Spiewak Hancock Aviator Jacket, Charcoal $250 $188.00

(Shell: Wool Blend, Lining: Poly Twill, Insulation: Thinsulate)

Life/After/Denim Arno Cardigan, Olive $135

Generic Surplus Long Wing Shoe, Black $135

Coal Camden Hat, Brown $75

    

Spiewak Grant Deck Parka, Navy $275 $199.00

(Shell: Wool Blend, Lining: Poly Twill, Insulation: Polyfill)

JACHS Alex Shirt, Blue $79

Bed-Stu Patriot Boot, Black $150

WOMEN

Spiewak Saratoga Jacket, Black $205 $155.00

(Shell: Wool Blend, Lining: Taffeta)

Cheap Monday Leather/Elastic Belt, Black $45

How Very Dare, Biz in the Front Dress, Pages Print $220

Jeffrey Campbell Areas Boot, Khaki $200

Woven Shoulder Bag, Black $80

  

   

Spiewak Liscome Bay Coat, Black $250 $188.00

(Shell: Wool Blend, Lining Poly Twill)

Mono Denim Shirt, Blue $75

Matisse Tri-Fold Wallet, Olive $65

Jeffrey Campbell Loza Boot, Black $215

Alter Debut Collection: Coming Soon!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the ALTER house label.

In a few weeks we will start to roll out our collection of mens and womens apparel, made entirely in BROOKLYN, NY!

In memoriam: Zelda Kaplan

1916 - 2012

Alter 5 Year Anniversary

Alter Five Year Anniversary from David Becker on Vimeo.

Five years ago today we opened the first Alter location at 109 Franklin Street. Check out this never before seen footage of the very early days at 109 Franklin Street, and our humble beginnings in retail.

Thanks to all of our customers, friends and family for the years of support! Very special thanks to David Becker and Pamela Romanowsky for capturing those moments on film.

Introducing: The Darling Essentials

Alter Brooklyn presents THE DARLING ESSENTIALS: a collection of necessary accessories curated by Darian Darling, available exclusively ONLINE at shop.alterbrooklyn.com.

This "cheap & chic" collection consists of jewelry inspired by dark glamour, nightlife and glitz, as well as Darling-esqe staple wardrobe items such as the Champagne Shadow sheer gloves, the Darling Beret and the Cabaret Diamond Tie.

To learn more about Darian Darling check out her blog: A Guide To Life for Modern Blondes.
For all the latest in nightlife, low-life and tales of excessive champagne consumption, follow her twitter @dariandarling.

 

 

Photographs by Tommy Cole for Alter

Brooklyn, NY

January 2012

Blog Love: Nicolette Mason

Head over to Nicolette Masons aesthetically pleasing blog and see her spot-on gift guide For the Boy(ish).

Nicolette put together some great gift ideas for "your boyfriend, your butch girlfriend, your favorite tomboy, your little brother, your dad, or yourself", including a Maxx & Unicon leather cardholder from Alter. We also love the "Le Dirt Bag" from Jack Spade!

Then be prepared to get lost in this blog, viewing post after post of well edited real life/high fashion photography and views of new york, like these...

Living For: Blood Orange

Blood Orange - Sutphin Boulevard from Blood Orange on Vimeo.

Alter on Graham | Before and After

Alter on Graham Ave has been open for over than a month now and is off to a great start- big thanks to all of our new neighbors and customers for welcoming us and spreading the word. Here are a few before and after photos of the new ALTER.

407 Graham Ave Storefront: August 24, 2010

Fixtures from the previous tennant Vec's Video

Day One: September 1, 2010

Day two, carpet ripped up, x room removed: September 2, 2010

Walls painted to look like unfinished drywall: October 3, 2010

New floors installed: October 6, 2010

Almost done with the build-out: October 15th, 2010

Tommy finishes the table: October 18, 2010

Open for business: Friday October 22, 2010

Co-owners/Buyers/Alter Boys: Roy Caires & Tommy Cole

Announcement: ALTER III coming soon...

We are thrilled to announce through Racked.com that a third ALTER store is slated to be open in October 2010.

Three blocks from the Graham Ave L train you will have an ALTER co-ed shop stocked with some of our favorite brands and also many exclusive labels for our new Alter shoppers.

We are looking forward to being a part of this charming neighborhood and bringing many more people great clothing and accessories at affordable prices.

Stay tuned to the blog for the official launch date, special events we are planning in celebration of this new location and of course images of the conceptual interior.

Check out Racked.com exclusive report on the new ALTER III.

Comme Des Garcon's "Wonderwood"

THE FIX POP UP SHOP

Alter is pleased to announce THE FIX. A one weekend only pop up shop in the Lower East Side featuring rock inspired vintage fashion and modern accessories. See press release below, and visit www.thefixnyc.blogspot.com for the most up to date info.

R.I.P Malcom McLaren 1946-2010

RIP Alexander McQueen

Alter boys visit KOOS at his NYC studio.

Above: Roy Caires, Koos van den Akker and Tommy Cole at Koos' studio 7/13/09

This past Sunday afternoon we had a surprise visit at the store from legendary fashion designer Koos van den Akker. A friend of Alter (who had worked for Koos in the past) thought he would appreciate the shop, so she brought him in to check it out. It was only a matter of minutes before we were intensly engaged in conversations of fashion, art, reconstructed neckties, and whatever else it is that we do. It was decided right there and then, that we would visit Koos at his studio in Manhattan the next day.

So today we headed into the city for our visit with Koos. He showed us garments from all stages of his career, old and new, finished and not. He gave us tips and advice on ways to work with fabric, and shared photographs of himself and his work over the last 70 years.

If you think you have never seen his work before, think again. Koos is the man who hand made the infamous sweaters worn by Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show.

To read his full story, visit his website: www.koosnewyork.com. You should also read this great interview with Koos from the Vice Magazine website.


Above: A Cosby-like sweater and a "work-in-progress" rain coat. The colors and textures on the sweater are done entirely by sewn down collaged fabric techniques, a Koos trademark.


Above: A dress made of "gutted and flattened" neckties starts to take shape.

We were thrilled and inspired to meet this amazing artist. There was even talk of some Koos originals hitting the racks at Alter sometime in the near future.

To be continued...

Sky Candy

Click Images to View Full Size!

Stunning clouds over Greenpoint last night (6/27/09)


Current wimdow display at Alter 140.

R.I.P Michael Jackson

Blog: The Uniform Project

CHECK THIS OUT IMMEDIATELY!

"The Uniform Project is an exercise in sustainable fashion, as well as a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India."

Sheena Matheiken, a fellow Greenpoint resident, is the mastermind behind this fantastically stylish project. She has decided to wear one dress for 365 days, jazzing up the looks (flawlessly) with accessories and layers. In the above image Sheena is wearing black Sam Edelman oxfords she bought at Alter last month!

Tune in daily to see how she cleverly puts these looks together, and make a donation! At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India.

>VISIT THE UNIFORM PROJECT BLOG<

New: Teashades

Most popular in the early 1960's among rockers like John Lennon, Jerry Garcia and Ozzy Osbourne, Teashades are making a comeback this season. A fun, psychedelic accessory to incorporate into the summer wardrobe. Quantities are limited, all styles $28.00 at Alter.


Silver frame with mirrored lenses: $28.00


Black frame with black tinted lenses: $28.00


The perfectly round lenses measure just over 1.5 inches across.


Brown frame with amber lens: $28.00

Inspiration: "How To Do That" by Jean Paul Gaultier

Circa 1989... We love.