NYC Buying Trip

Hello! I just got back from a buying trip in NYC and wanted to show you how we buy for the store this week - a little BTS.

I travelled to meet new and existing designers for our kids and women's selections for Autumn/Winter 2024 delivery (yes, 6 months away!)

I get to choose my favorite pieces (truly the best part of owning a store - more shopping!) The brands will then put our picks into production. I love to chat to the designers about their collections and generally feel inspired by their stories and process! Here is what I found, did and packed on my 4 day trip!

I'm into skirts at the moment and they were the perfect roll n pack situ for my hand luggage so off I went in the snow storm (which luckily wasn't really a snow storm after all as it had threatened to be) and headed off to one of the many showrooms dotted all over NYC. Often a random door on the street, with a buzzer to be let in, then a very small elevator to the top floor.

These showrooms represent different designers from all over - Europe and USA mostly.

First up - LF Markey. A brand we have carried from London for the past 5 years. Louise Markey used to be a designer for Burberry then left to set up her own line. She designs such great basics that we all wear and love in the store.

We have the Spring collection shipping next month in store (more on that soon). For fall we ordered STRIPES, COLOR and great turtle necks. None of it arrives until September though! You can see the stripe set below - sort of PJ vibes - can be worn together or as separates.

Metallics were all over and trending for KIDS + WOMEN'S for fall. Above is an amazing metallic set we ordered, as well as the green bomber jacket and the quilted coat below. Stella Nova is a great Danish brand we love (and again we all own pieces of this brand). Their Spring collection will be in store next month - more on that soon!

And jewerly! More coming! A new to us Danish brand called RAGBAG - a Copenhagen-based Danish jewelry brand run by five creative souls with different backgrounds from the Fashion Industry, this line will shipping next month.

Above left - a snapshot from a fashion show I was invited too very last minute (cause that's what happens in NYC right?!) All the models cast for the Batsheva show were over 40 (obviously I was right at home). This dress was one of my favorites as it was adorned in BOWS - which brings me to the other trend I saw all over - BOWS BOWS BOWS - all over the kids and women's. To the left is a snap shot from Simon Miller collection - MOB WIFE TREND! Some cute looks but not sure the Portland rain is going to withstand this faux fur leopard jacket so did not add to order. BUT! The new Spring collection arrived!

The snow storm (hardly) and the Citi bikes I rode about once the snow had cleared on the last day for my appointments round town (I survived the NYC traffic, phew). And another skirt and a balaclava for my snow looque.

Moving onto the kid's trade show and honestly my favourite part of buying. I headed to Playtime - which was my first ever trade show I attended 8 years ago when I first opened this store.

I LOVE meeting the designers and choosing all the selects. Baby and kids clothing is a big part of our store (and why I opened The Yo Store in the first place!) On the right is a photo of the two ladies behind OXOX CLUB - a Lithuanian brand, all designed in Sweden as that is where Agnes (on the right) now lives but all pieces produced in Lithuania. We have the current Spring collection in store now for 2-8 year olds. My son wears this brand a lot and we LOVE the quality and also I love investing into this new brand.

We ordered lots from our other faves Bobo Choses, Tiny Cottons and Mini Rodini too. AND! Lots of puffy dresses with bows and sequins on from ANOTHER Danish brand Konges Sloejd - you are going to love this brand if you have a dress obsessed child like I do.

Another new brand for us, Milk Teeth. Two lovely ladies based in LA. I really enjoyed meeting these two - they left their fashion roles to live our their dreams of a new business. Both mums and seeing a gap in the market, they set up this new line. We are planning to do a pop up shop this summer with them IRL but in the meantime you can check out their rad selections from their online selection directly HERE!

LASTLY! BAGGU. I LOVE the packing cubes and the go pouches and use them endlessly for my trips. You can shop our current selection here for all your Spring break needs HERE.

Fun fact: I used to carry the Baggu brand in my downtown store in 2012. ALSO another fun Baggu fun fact: Designers Emily Sugihara, her mother Joan Sugihara and Ellen Vanderlaan started BAGGU in 2007 because they wanted a reusable bag that was functional, affordable, durable and nice-looking. But now they literally sell everything, and I'm / Yo is here for it. Towels, picnic blankets, pouches we got it.

Thanks for following along - next up another LONNNGGG email about our PARIS buying trip - and hoping Corissa is less of a waffler than me ;)

Hope to see you soon! xxx

P.S I stayed at The Ace hotel and then moved to Soho House Hotel (did you know they are opening up a Soho House in Portland next month? I had a preview at the house last weekend in SE Portland and it looks so good!)

NYC Buying Trip

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