Let us deconstruct the idea of what makes a Designer.  A person who devises or executes designs and perhaps brands her product with her name. This does not mean the person needs to be famous or even known. That’s the brilliant part of the Montclair clothing store Duke and Duchess – it is about the look, not just the labels. The fantastic boutique is located in a large warehouse-looking space on South Park Street and is decorated with antiques as well as hints of Britain, representing owner Antony Hine’s home country.  D and D does carry many high-end designers for both men and women but it also carries fabulous cutting edge styles from designers who are not well known.
Store manager and buyer Leigh Wexler searches for lines that are not carried by the large department stores as well as lines by smaller designers that you will not see in the malls. I love how many of the store’s pieces are super versatile, reversible and not at all overly trendy. Another thing to love is how most items in the store were made in America. Very nice.
Now, let’s talk about those hot shoes with the red bottoms. They are from Sergio Zelcer and run from $148-$188. That’s great news for fans of the $600-plus Louboutin pumps. I need the brown pair…right?
A reversible 3-way vest that can also be worn as a scarf (see slide show)
Highlights of the store:
- NYC style and looks otherwise found only in the city
- Versatile classic pieces as well as cutting edge trends
- Sizes 2-10 but Leigh will do her best to order any size you need
- Appointments can be made for personal shoppers during store hours or after store hours if needed
- Prices range from $28-$500
Some of the Labels:
- Benjamin Jay, Halston Heritage, Christian Francis Roth, Nicole Miller, bags by Zena Eva, sunglasses from Nicole Ritchie’s House of Harlow line
- Jewelry made by local Montclair artists
- Jeans-Textile from Elizabeth and James, Siwy and Alpinestars  by Denise Foril
- Super soft men’s tee shirts from Groceries
Some of the Looks:
- Coated denim
- Soft layers
- Lace
- Fringe
- Bags that can go from across-the-shoulder to over-the-shoulder to clutch
- Shirts, tanks and vests that unhook/untie and change for more than one look
- Soft ultra suede shirt and dresses
- Color blocking
- Sting-ray prints
Weather you are looking to skip Barney’s and buy a number of pieces or pick up one or two things for the season, you will love this local gem of a store. For those of you who feel clueless about what is in this season, just stop in the store just for inspiration. The girls at the store (thank you to Rachel and Alex) are super nice, down to earth and very helpful. No one will look down at their nose at you because you just came from the gym. Love that.
Check out the slideshow for more looks:
Mention Baristanet now through October 31st 2012 at receive 10% off any one regularly price item
What are your fashion must-have obsessions this season?
I thought Louboutin owned the rights to the red bottom shoe?
Jimmy town, I guess not! I love this shop.
I’ll I have to check out the shirts and tanks next time I’m there. ; )
Re: the rights to the red bottom shoe, Louboutin does indeed own the rights, except in cases where the entire shoe is red. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-05/louboutin-wins-appeal-over-saint-laurent-red-soles-shoes
Sergio Zelcer may want to rethink his design?
I might be wrong, but it’s not considered a knock off if at least 10% of the design is changed. In Louboutin’s case, the design is the red bottom. With that said, buy Sergio Zelcer while you can! (I see that S.Z. has many designs without the red bottom so I dont think they are going for an all out knock off of Louboutin’s collection)
I was thrilled with the Courts decision in the Louboutin case. I LOVE shoes.
Still, and while a rip-off, those pictured above are hot looking (because of course, they tickle me with the Red Bottom).
I’m reminded of course, of the “Sex in the City” episode when Carrie buys a tries to buy a Fendi knock-off in LA (here at 7:45 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkqa375t7mM).
Buying and owning fakes (like stealing music) is well, tasteless. And it rips off hard working talented people.
But why if they carry Men’s attire do we not have a visual taste?
PW-
You do they are all in the slideshow.
The men’s clothing start with the 12 slide a picture of a gorgeous men’s coat.
JG- Shirts right?
Prof…. no visuals of men’s clothing….Why? Because most men’s clothes are visually boring, how many shades of brown & grey can you stand looking at with tailoring that hasn’t changed in umpteen years.
PAZ,
Your post tells me you must be satisfied wearing CROCS in public, huh? I LOVE men’s (and women’s) clothing. Yes. the prof is a fashionista.
And if not CROCS, please don’t tell me you’re one of those guys STILL wearing his shirt out? Please tell me you haven’t done that since 2010. Or have you? Tuck it in!! Get a nice belt, and some pants that fit (bring EVERYTHING to a tailor so it fits great).
Still wearing those stone washed jeans? Look here’s some simple advice: go Levi’s. Daniel Craig looked great in a pair in Girl with the Dragon… Their new line is stark, simple and clean, what more could a man ask for? Get yourself some nice Bucks and then talk to me.
Until then, well, keep thinking men’s fashion, and tailoring (that you haven’t notice how the cuts have changed in the past few years is telling) hasn’t changed.
… And at least only wear the CROCS at home. NO ONE needs to ever see them in public.
Oh, and thanks Holly. I think I’ll check out that cardigan with the leather accents on the pockets. Those boots are hot too. But I just got two packages of boots from myhabit this week alone (and at some point, mrs. prof is gonna say something…. though the answer to that is to buy her something).
Right, Holly. Shirts, tanks and vests….. I have spent so much money shopping locally this past month I won’t be able to afford to live here anymore!
Since when did Baristanet, which supposedly specializes in hyper-local “journalism,” morph itself into a clone of “Lucky?”
And isn’t the idea that s store has finally opened to acquaint benighted local “progressives” with “New York style” just a mite condescending? And also very “twee” as the Brits might suggest?
Prof, really, I thought you had more serious concerns.
Prof…..My shoes are Tsubos, then I throw on a man tailored shirt with a well worn Calvin Klein sport jacket, then cargos (being a photog, I need pockets).Once and awhile a pork pie. A good pair of stylish glasses from Gleek & Howard then I’m off popparazzing big game in Montclair hoping to spot the Kate Middleton look alikes or maybe the Prof with his Levi’s on strolling down SPark looking for that snazzy pink golf shirt!
Sounds like me and cathar are going to go SHOPPING!!!!
And, of course, this sums up the seriousness of fashion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LVptO7o4L8
C’mon, let’s hit the stores today, I think you’d look great in the boots from the slideshow above.
I think it’s time for Prof and Crankypants to get a room.
Let’s see some pix of the prof in a pair of tailored ass-hugging trousers. And pumps, if he’s man enough for them.
Had you been in D&D last night around 7, you would have seen me in my new jeans. Looked great, but still need tailoring. No ass-hugging, they fit nicely. No Obama “mom-jeans” here (as cool as he is, well, he’s not: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/21/obama-explains-his-mom-je_n_241765.html
Michelle, on the other hand, ALWAYS looks great!!!
But by your words, Mr. Roo you also must be a CROCS guy. Lord help us all.
As for the pumps, they were hot. But I stopped wearing heels Freshman year in college when I would often dress up as Grace Jones and lip-sync, “Slave to the Rhythm.”
Ass for D&D: Beautiful store!!! And a great knowledgable staff. Same with Anthropologie (sp?), stunning store. So that along with Urban Outfitters makes the Church St./So. Park St. area a fun shopping district.
Perhaps I should take some of you frumpy suburban dads out for a makeover? Sounds like some need it (though judging from some of the guys on Church St. last night, thankfully, not all of you).
For style’s sake, I will be your Nick Sullivan.
(“Ass” for D&D, where is MY mind this morning?)
I think I saw Bill Cunningham on Church St last night stalking the soccer moms in their latest knock offs.
“[S]occer moms”?? A wee bit reductive and assuming, PAZ, huh? Unlike (most) men, (many) women enjoy getting a little dressed up for an evening out to dinner (though far too many men and women have clearly “given up,” those public CROC wearers- I’m talking to you!). Or as Michael Kors said on “Project Runway,” what woman doesn’t love showing off her shoulders a little bit?
Still, some of the “moms” I saw around were looking gorgeous!! And judging by the prices, cars and jewelry, not too many “knock-offs” around (and to think this was ONLY in Montclair, I cannot imagine what one must see in UPPER Montclair).
Yes. I’ve exposed my desperate to be a 20-something NYC fashionista side. But is caring about how one looks and dresses that odd? (Sadly, for most suburban guys, the answer is yes.)
Not crocs! Teva, Sanuk, Ugg, Mozo — but not crocs. Crocs is for kids. 4-1/2″ stiletto red-bottomed pumps is for Holly. Nice chooz, Holly.
Teva? Mozo (working in a kitchen)? Uggs are cute on cute girls (I imagine Matthew McConaughey would remind me: “and ain’t they all cute?” To which I would reply: “sure are!”); and Tom Brady, who is so good looking and stylish my man can wear whatever he wants. For most of the suburban dads around here?
Ugh!!!
But as a friend once remarked, “those seem like sensible suburban dad shoes.”
No this suburban dad!
Hey, I get a commission from them! You work your side of the kitchen, I’ll work mine…
Sorry friend.
Hey could I get a freshy on my comso, eh.. Medium vodka dry, shaken, not stirred?
Thanks pal. And oh, the gnocchi was dee-lish!!