Lavai Maria Now Open at 165 Orchard Street

Epaulet isn’t the only boutique on Orchard Street that made the proverbial East River jump from Brooklyn.  Last week, vintage purveyor Lavai Maria opened alongside Y Gallery at 165 Orchard.  This half of the sub-level space was briefly utilized as a second exhibition room for the gallery.  Of course, the entire footprint was once hallowed ground for crate-diggers and music heads – The Sound Library.

Lavai Maria is the vision of Sao Paolo-born designer Vania Alves, who is a product of the Williamsburg-based Artists and Fleas market.  Alves was reportedly crucial to the hipster flea.  According to Racked, she was formerly the onsite seamstress, and was particularly known for her custom alterations.  That gig led to a shop on Bedford and North 5th Street at the tail end of last year.

Much like the BK location, the Orchard Street satellite is all about reworked vintage items made from recycled fabrics.