International Additions: Desigual Erupts In SoHo

Ever wonder what it would look like if one of those old Putumayo stores got wasted on mushrooms and threw up all over the place? (and really, who hasn't?)
Ladies and Gentlemen we give you Desigual, the newest inhabitant of the Broadway storefront that most recently housed the reviled Kira Plastinina.
We're beginning to think this space is cursed.
Desigual is a Spanish sportswear company with stores throughout Europe that sells through department stores like Macy's and is making its New York début with this store. There may, in fact, be one or two attractive items of clothing in this place, but you would need the sharpest of eyes and instincts to pick them out through the cacophony of prints and bedazzling that fills this shop.
As an improvement, Desigual has blacked out Kira's pink and white fantasia décor, but then graffiti'd its walls with self consciously cheery phrases like "It is not the same since 1984", and "Happy ideas all the time!!".
Up on the mezzanine there is a men's or "Man-kid" department offering only slightly more subdued options that made us shudder a little. If this were a cheap, throwaway kind of store, we could understand it for teenagers or anyone with an affinity for LSD or other psychedelia, but unlike its compatriot, Zara, the prices at Desigual are more like those at Diesel, and by that we mean curiously high.
For now, the store is mostly hidden under scaffolding, which may be just as well. After being graced with more successful international imports like Topshop, Mango and even Eryn Brinié, we suppose it was only a matter of time until this sort of thing washed up on our shores.
Desigual 594 Broadway between Houston & Prince Streets, SoHo.

Comments

[Judy Friedkin]

I think this is the best line of moderately priced clothes I have ever seen. It is so creative and fun. I have people run after me to ask me where I got whatever Desigual garment I am wearing and that has never happened to me before. I think you are wAY off in your critique.

[Christine]

I agree with Judy. The clothes are innovative and fun. Just because we live in NYC doesn't mean we have to wear head to toe black. A fun skirt with a solid shirt works beautifully, and like Judy, I constantly get asked where I got my garments when I wear them. Maybe if you aren't adventurous or creative, then the clothes aren't for you...otherwise, they are right up THIS NYer's alley.

[Kim]

Have some fun with your wardrobe! It think it is refreshing to see such a vibrant and whimsical clothing line. I live in Ireland and can tell you that Desigual is the hottest new line in Europe right now. When travelling through France, Spain, and Italy, you see all the women wearing it.