Michelle New York

Profile

Situated near the crossroads of Boerum Hill, Prospect Heights, and Fort Greene, designer Michelle Fields’s boutique outfits all types of lady Brooklynites. There are simple white tees and casual capris for the neighborhood moms, smart blazers for the girls over at Brooklyn Law School, and super-skinny Red Engine jeans, chunky gold necklaces, and fedoras for the new twenty- and thirtysomething Manhattan transplants. Fields designs about a quarter of the store’s collection—funky styles using bright colors and creative patterns, like her popular multi-wrap dress, a simple cotton dress with flexible straps that can be fashioned into halter-top, asymmetrical-sleeve, and multiple other styles. She tries to stay accessible to both the new and the long-standing residents of the neighborhood by offering a wide range of price points and pieces from other local designers, such as Adha Zelma Jewelry. The neighborhood pride runs strong right down to the graffiti-inspired mural of Brooklyn on the back wall of the store. — Rachel Corbett

Michelle Field’s gowns are romantic and understated ($600–$5,000). Field does custom bridesmaid and flower-girl dresses too (from $250). By appointment only.