For those looking for high fashion, night life, and creativity, SoHo is the ideal neighborhood. In the heart of Manhattan, bordered by Sixth Avenue, Canal Street, Crosby Street, and Houston Street (from which it takes its name) it is one of the neighborhoods that is best distinguished by its artistic vocation, mainly oriented toward design and high fashion. Away from the bright lights of uptown, perhaps it best expresses the most authentic and unique soul of New Yorkers.

In the last forty years SoHo has imposed itself on the local scene, first as the heart of the art and alternative scene, then as a focal point for business activities in the Big Apple, and finally it has become an essential stop for every tourist visit.

Born as an industrial center, known as the Cast Iron District, the district acquired great fame in the 60s and 70s, when artists began to move into the factories and abandoned warehouses, which had been transformed into spacious lofts. The site of a number of galleries, SoHo saw an urban restructuring which attracted the attention of many investors who intended on acquiring important art spaces. From here began the exodus of artists to the Chelsea or TriBeCa, as the local real estate landscape faced sensational spikes that made rental inaccessible.

The evolution of SoHo: from pole of international design to fashion center

The so-called “SoHo Effect” has marked the traits of an evolution already tacitly in place.

Although many of the artists have left the neighborhood, the artistic and creative character of SoHo still shines through the many designer shops and architectural details of the buildings. Anyone who loves to decorate their homes with some of the best available – or unusual – accessories can find ample choices in SoHo. Kiosk, on Spring Street, is just one of the solutions with unique items from around the world; from German bottle openers to Japanese lamps, there is something for all tastes!

Not just design

SoHo over the years has become one of the main shopping centers of New York, where style and social exaltation come together.

Having become a veritable open-air mall for high-level fashion and designer furnishings, the neighborhood sees men and women from all over the world shopping for exceptional apparels, or designer furniture, or simply strolling around enjoying the unique architecture of the late nineteenth century and early 20^th century cast iron buildings.   One find big fashion names such as Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Balenciaga and Burberry, or famous furniture design names such as  Cassina, Rolf Benz, Molteni, Boffi and Flos, just to name a few of the many top brand names on display in SoHo.

In this context of design and fashion,  the new flagship Mastella store is being set up within Studio Anise, which was founded by Paul Anise in 2010 with the aim to present a new and fresh vision for modern furnishings and design of living spaces using a carefully selected collection of exquisite products that is always updated.

 

Studio Anise