Habitually Chic Boutique: Etiqueta Negra
by habituallychic
06 . 28 . 09
I’m in love….with a boutique…and you will be too when you see it! The popular Argentinian brand Etiqueta Negra quietly opened on Lafayette Street this winter without the fanfare that it clearly deserves. The clothing that can be described as classic is made from the finest fabrics and is of the highest quality which makes me think of it as the South American version Brooks Brothers but with definitely more sex appeal! The dark and moody decor may make it appear at first glance to be just for the boys but they also sell beautiful women’s clothing and accessories for day and night at a pretty reasonable price point.
Founder Federico Alvarez Castillo and his wife, Paula Cahen D’Anvers, who designs the women’s line, are an even more interesting aspect to the story. The polo playing and team owning, classic car driving and collecting creator reminds me a lot of Ralph Lauren as does the lifestyle brand he has created. Federico’s love of design also extends beyond fashion to architecture and interior design. He has designed a loft project and polo and country club in Uruguay. Check back later for a look at just one of their personal homes as well!
I’m hoping the Soho store is just the first of many planned for the US. The men here could some sartorial advice from South America!
Photos by Heather Clawson and from Etiqueta Negra
15 Comments
Ooh, that car makes my heart skip a beat!
Never heard of it! It looks divine!
LOVE the ponies…
This store looks fabulous. I would love to dress my husband in so many of those clothes. We will have to visit the store the next time we are in New York.
its so clean and organized. love it!
Its a treasure. My aunt’s dropped in a few times just to breathe in a bit of refinement. Im hoping for a surprise box in the post.
Very Chic!
Ooh, very neat. I don’t remember Argentinean men being extremely well dressed when I lived there a few years ago, but perhaps I was a little too America-centric back then.
I cannot help but find this look so blatantly Ralph Lauren. Looks great, but not at all original. Gosh, the setting with trophies and sisal are what was in Ralph Lauren boutiques 20+ years ago. And those polo shirts with graphic numbers are extremely familiar! If this was a brand without an individual’s name, I guess it would be more acceptable, but for someone to put their own name on a look so distinctive, and so much associated with America’s most famous designer, seems kind of brazen. Chanel said that being copied is the sincerest form of flattery. Talk about aspirational fashion…second time around!
Square with Flair
Anonymous #1 – mine too!
Alison – I had never heard of it either but I’m glad I found it!
Paloma – Or you could fly down to Buenos Aires and buy it directly 😉
Lauren Jade – I like that they have edited the selection. As much as I love jCrew, I always feel overwhelmed because they have too much to look at!
Alicia – Your aunt has fabulous taste! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!
K – Argentinian men’s clothing is very clean and simple. No logos or extra embellishments.
Anonymous #2 – Perhaps you didn’t read my entire post but the name of the company is Etiqueta Negra which translated means “black tie” or “black label.” I’ve heard it described as both. The owners name is different and the style of clothing is very South American as I descibed above, clean and logo free. I love Ralph Lauren but he certainly didn’t invent his style of clothing. He copied it from from the English and continues to look to past eras such as the 1930’s for inspirtation. They are similar as I stated but I wouldn’t say that Etiqueta Negra copied Ralph Lauren.
Thanks so much for this post. I got weak in the knees over the boutique’s design last time I was in B.A. One shop had a glorious vintage motorcycle parked front and center, and the clothes are fabulous. Because the Argentines are such an ethnically mixed bag, they’ve been doing this relaxed, neo-colonial estancia look since before RL was born. However, they surely took some cues from his empire on how to market what they’ve already got.
I love this house. I am happy to announce to all the people in the U.S that love Etiqueta Negra that they are opening their second store in the U.S very soon. I can’t release the day but the location is Aventura Mall in Miami, FL. I work for the developers and let me just say that their style is amazing. We need more stores like it in the u.s.
I know this brand, its fabulose, all interior made Federico Alvarez del Castillo are wonderfull.
Best Regard from Montevideo Uruguay
Juan
Hi. Visited the store last week and thought they had great yet soft spoken clothing (nothing too brash like La Martina, which I got from a visit from BA around 9 years ago)
I always try to visit your blog whenever I visit NYC and thought John Derian was pretty swoony and swellegant as well (got myself a few decoupage trays for home)
Thanks and looking forward to more NY features
Chris
Manila, The Philippines
Hi. Visited the store last week and thought they had great yet soft spoken clothing (nothing too brash like La Martina, which I got from a visit from BA around 9 years ago)
I always try to visit your blog whenever I visit NYC and thought John Derian was pretty swoony and swellegant as well (got myself a few decoupage trays for home)
Thanks and looking forward to more NY features
Chris
Manila, The Philippines
I thought it was an RL store when i walked in. I love the moody feel of the place. Will be back!