Spring is the season of renewal: maybe it’s time to brighten up your walls with a new piece of art, or time to clean your closet of clothes you haven’t worn since 2007. Whether you’re redecorating your home or revamping your style, Magazine Street has everything you need for the new season. The six-mile-long street is embellished with art galleries, clothing boutiques, antique shops and exquisite eateries; it even has a museum and a zoo. On a sunny spring day, take a walk down Magazine to check out these hot spots.
Angelique Shoe (5421 Magazine St.; 891-8992) is renewing its collection of women’s designer shoes this spring with exotic additions. “[We’re] mostly going into European-made goods,” says co-owner Heather Catalanotto. The shop is now carrying French shoes and accessories from Antik Batik; cutting-edge shoes from the British-American fusion Belle (Sigerson Morrison’s line with comfier prices); and eclectic Danish shoes By Malene Birger. It also has a new line by Kooba, which proves that it can do heels just as well as it does handbags – the heels are neither too high nor too low. Also new to the store are Chie Mihara shoes, which all have an anatomical foot bed designed to accommodate women’s feet.
Stop by Audubon Clubhouse Café (6500 Magazine St.; 212-5282) for a nourishing breakfast or lunch. It offers a traditional breakfast menu, including bagels, eggs, bacon and pancakes. For a refreshing lunch, try the Green Magazine Salad: a spring mix topped with green apples, dried cranberries, piquant walnuts and feta cheese crumbles. The Sunday brunch menu is constantly changing, but you can always sip on a mimosa or a Bloody Mary for $5. Make a reservation for the special Easter or Mother’s Day brunch, which will both feature a champagne-included buffet.
Ballin’s LTD (2917 Magazine St., 891-4502) recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of bringing runway trends to its customers in several locations. New vendors are coming to the store this season, including Tory Burch, Rachel Roy, Alice & Trixie and many more. The shop also just received new Michael Kors watches and Donald J Pliner shoes for the season.
Spring fashion for maternity this year includes bright and cool colors, and there’s no better place to look for it than Baby Bump Maternity (2917 Magazine St.; 304-2737). “A style to look for is a light-wear solid top with jeggings cuffed at the ankle with a good pair of closed-toe flats and a summer cardigan belted above the bump,” says Robbie Allen, co-owner along with his wife Julie. The shop carries the latest maternity trends, including spring/summer cardigans and skirts, as well as maxi dresses to keep women cool during the hot seasons.
Invite friends and family to a spring wedding, a graduation or an Easter celebration with invitations by Betty Hunley Designs (6057 Magazine St.; 895-2870). She has new wedding invitations by Vera Wang, William Arthur and Crane. For party invitations, you can either choose from Betty Hunley Original Creations or customize your own to match your party, tastes and budget. A great Mother’s Day gift could be from the shop’s new line of Anna Griffin totes, file bags and cosmetic bags.
Brighten up your rooms this spring with help from The Curtain Exchange (3936 Magazine St.; 897-2444). It customizes curtains to fit clients’ tastes and homes (which is important if you have high ceilings!). Experts can help you choose what’s right for you regarding size, fabric and weather, in-store or at an in-home consultation. You can even bring a pair of curtains home for 48 hours and see how they look before you buy them.
Unwind at Earthsavers (5501 Magazine St.; 899-8555) with anything from a sea salt spa treatment to foot reflexology. The spa specializes in exfoliating and moisturizing spa treatments, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Try the “day of relaxation” spa package, which includes a manicure, pedicure, an Earthsavers facial, an hour-long therapeutic massage and a light, healthy lunch. Earthsavers also sells its own line of fragrant beauty products and organic cleaning products.
Fairy (5715 Magazine St.; 269-2033) is a small boutique filled with feminine clothing and accessories. Elizabeth Laird carefully selects all clothing, much of it made by indie designers on the rise. This spring, the store offers both trendy and retro styles. Look for 1950s-inspired dresses with full-circle skirts; ’60s-influenced lady-like dresses; and ’70s-powered bohemian tunics, crochet vests and macramé details. A few other Fairy looks for spring are floral prints and rompers.
The family-owned Feet First (4119 Magazine St.; 899-6800) is New Orleans’ largest independent retailer for shoes and accessories. It has more than brand-name shoes, though – it also carries handbags, accessories, jewelry and clothing. The latest addition to the shop is a line of handbags by Badgley Mischka, who are included in Vogue’s list of “Top 10 American Designers.” Feet First carries collections by local designers as well, such as Feelgoodz and NOLA Couture.
Redecorate your walls this spring with exceptional, reasonably priced art from Guy Lyman Fine Art (3645 Magazine St.; 899-4687). It is now showcasing a new collection by post-impressionist painter Sergei Sidorov from the Ukraine. The gallery offers both classic art – dating back to the 18th century – and contemporary art. “What we try to do is have high-quality art at affordable prices,” says owner Guy Lyman. The store also carries a large assortment of 20th century art featuring landscapes, still life and nudes.
Take a step back from spring renewal and explore history at The National World War II Museum (945 Magazine St.; 528-1944), which has the award-winning “Ours to Fight For: American Jews in the Second World War” on display until April. The voices of American Jews who joined the American Armed Forces during World War II guide the exhibition through video, audio and print, describing their experiences. “It highlights an essential part of the war effort,” says Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, president and CEO of The National World War II Museum. The museum commemorates the spirit, courage and teamwork of Americans who fought during the war that changed the world.
Objets Trouvés (3956 Magazine St.; 897-5066), French for “found objects,” specializes in museum-quality framing. Owner Linda Friedlander creates both traditional and unique custom framing, using found items with New Orleans flair. The store carries more than 3,500 antique prints, or you can bring in your own art to be framed.
Shop with your boys, girls and infants for new spring clothing at Orient Expressed (3905 Magazine St.; 899-3060). Owner Bee Fitzpatrick and her small team of designers make the store’s exclusive clothing line. The spring collection includes Easter dresses for girls and shorts with matching T-shirts for boys (including sailboat and alligator themes). Many styles showcase spring motifs such as strawberries and flowers. The shop carries trendy girls’ plus-size clothing. Orient Expressed also offers home décor items, bridal registry, gift delivery and shipping. This month it will host a bridal showcase of its new collections.
Flaunt your Carnival colors with the original Mardi Gras rugby shirt created by Perlis (6070 Magazine St.; 895-8661) more than 31 years ago. Expert tailors at the store measure and alter formalwear for men and boys, so they can be ready for special spring events (such as Mardi Gras balls, proms or weddings). On March 17 and 18, the ladies’ boutique at Perlis will host a Helois&Luna Trunk Show featuring its spring collection.
The new spring flavor at Pinkberry (5601 Magazine St.; 899-4260) is lychee, a juicy tropical fruit with a hint of a flowery taste. Top your lychee frozen yogurt with coconut and mochi (a sweet rice cake) for a refreshing dessert. One of the new fresh fruit toppings is honeydew. Pinkberry also does parties, either in-store or at your home, where they set up a topping bar for you to make your own Pinkberry creation. Don’t miss the “home to swirly goodness” on Magazine Street.
The recently remodeled Pippen Lane (2929 Magazine St.; 269-0106) is receiving new shipments for the season every day. Bright and fun children’s clothing from Zutano is selling quickly. The European styles by Desigual are not to be missed either: “The color palette is bold and the styles are super-hip for both boys and girls ages 7-14,” says Shane Gould of Pippen Lane. The shop is also staying true to its traditional southern roots with hand-sewn garments from the Lylian shop.
Revitalize your spring look with cosmetics from Pixie (5715 1/2 Magazine St.; 895-5571). The Mélange solid perfume palette comes with four perfumes, which you can wear individually or blend together (the floral palette is great for spring). Pixie also offers Juice Beauty’s organic tinted SPF lip moisturizer, so you can protect your lips with the season change. Blinc is the perfect option for new mascara because it’s waterproof but you don’t have to use makeup remover to get it off. Pixie sells several products by Amazing Cosmetics, including a waterproof concealer, on which owner Katie Malone comments, “I hate to use the word amazing, but it is! It’s an awesome concealer.”
In addition to women’s yoga and Pilates clothing, Priorities (5523 Magazine St.; 899-2212) is now offering the 4all golf and tennis line by JoFit. The line has sun protection, which is a must for golf and tennis players in New Orleans. The newest items are hot pink plaid tennis skirts and golf pedal pushers. “We always have new items coming in,” says co-owner Marloe Goodman. Recently relocated from Hampson Street, this is the place to go for women’s fitness clothing.
T. (3900 Magazine St.; 891-8101) is an upscale boutique that offers a select collection of women’s clothing and accessories, much of which cannot be found anywhere else in New Orleans. The shop recently received the spring lines from Étoile by Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone and Inhabit. Lauren Hall of T. says, “People love Étoile by Isabel Marant – she’s the hot designer for spring.” T. also carries handbags by Marant’s husband, Jérôme Dreyfuss.
Find the top designers of women’s clothing and accessories at Weinstein’s (4011 Magazine St.; 895-6278). Owners Roz Weinstein and Bonnie Wilson handpick their collection, which features Dries van Noten, Rick Owens
and Brunello Cucinelli. Weinstein says one of the most popular new items is a pair of pants by Pamela Henson: “Those are fabulous.” Newest additions to the boutique include the spring collections of Kristensen du Nord, Versace, Veronica Beard and the Row (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s line).
