Indie Industries

That designers own and operate this space is obvious from the get-go in details like a perfectly-spaced row of hats, tone-on-tone gray striped walls and stacks of impeccably-folded graphic tees and scarves, all agreeably sharing precious real estate in a space no larger than a modest Manhattan studio. The North Beach destination is the first retail outpost from the company, which launched in 2005 with five Fashion Institute of Technology alums at the helm and now counts 15 designers from the Bay Area and beyond in its ranks. Along with casual apparel and gear for men and women from the namesake label, the shop stocks names like San Francisco-based Effie's Heart, Seattle's randL and Aussie brand Mingus. Guys will find their spoils, including a small selection of denim, along the back wall, while women's clothing, handbags and jewelry continue throughout the first level and into the upstairs loft.