Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s Norfolk Street store feels more like an airy installation space than your average crammed Lower East Side boutique. Metal rolling racks showcase unique pieces of clothing and well-placed accessory displays highlight the shop’s impressive jewelry collection. The owners, Maryam and partner Uday Kak, hail from Iran and India, respectively, and their eclectic tastes are nicely represented in the variety of designers they carry. In addition to industry favorites such as Vena Cava and Isabel Marant, the store sells plenty of newcomers like All for the Mountain and Electric Feathers. We sat down with Maryam in her year-old space to discuss the importance of lipstick, her store’s bohemian vibe, and a few items on her holiday wish list.
What is the concept behind your store?
The concept behind the store is lifestyle. It’s a mixture of all elements: fashion, art, interiors, ideas, music, and events. We wanted to develop a space that was not only fashion, but also everything that surrounds a person. I’ve been designing clothing and textiles since 2001 and Uday has a background in art direction and graphic design. We wanted to share our aesthetic and inspire people, and bring together a community of artists and designers.
How do you decide what to stock?
We know what we’re interested in and attracted to, and we research labels. We follow our instinct.
What is the aesthetic you’re striving for?
Our look is natural, modern, relaxed, and experimental.
Describe your favorite piece in stock right now.
A woodblock printed dress by Pelican Ave.
Who are some of your favorite designers?
Prada, Miu Miu, and Marni were favorites growing up and now I love Hermès, Dries Van Noten, and YSL.
Who are your style icons?
Jane Birkin, Isabella Rossellini, Camille Bidault Waddington, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Do certain designers capture your personal style?
My style is “classic artistic.” I wear vintage, Isabel Marant, Electric Feathers, and Rachel Comey. Uday’s style is “disheveled preppy.” He wears Acne, Costume National, and Dieppa Restrepo.
Which other stores do you frequent?
Assembly New York, No. 6, and Narnia.
What’s on your holiday wish list?
A cashmere charcoal-grey scarf by Faliero Sarti and all of Time Bandit’s
most recent jewelry collection.
What’s something every woman should have in her closet?
Vintage.
Finish this sentence: I never leave the house without …
My makeup pouch. I love wearing lipstick and I would feel naked all day without it.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh, 123 Norfolk St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-673-6405.