Bandier: New York’s first boutique for emerging fitness labels

Bandier, the fitness fashion boutique that debuted in Southampton last summer, is coming to Manhattan.

The brand just opened a pop-up shop in the Flatiron District, where it will stock the same curated selection of cool, indie brands it’s become known for out East, and you can expect a permanent location in the spring of 2015, says owner Jennifer Bandier.

“All summer long in Southampton, customers of Bandier were asking when we would open in New York City,” she explains. The opportunity for the pop-up came up during the hunt for long-term real estate, so she grabbed the chance to set up shop during the build-out.

While New York’s workout fashion scene has been exploding over the past year, with everyone from serious fashion designers to Beyonce getting in on the action, a brick-and-mortar destination that stocks the many emerging fashion-forward brands has yet to open. Instead, most shops that have opened have been single-brand spots like Athleta, Lululemon, and Under Armour. Exception are all special cases, like Equinox boutiques, which are tucked inside the gyms, and places like Paragon or even Bloomingdales that don’t have a boutique vibe.

The pop-up, on Broadway at 21st Street, feels more like an Intermix of fitness fashion. And it will be open from November 7 through the holidays, and will feature a bra bar, yoga area, and mirrored “affirmation wall.” Expect fashion-forward brands like Alala, Vimmia, Koral, Lucas Hugh, VPL, and Prism, plus weekend trunk shows and events with Phat Buddha, Michi, Splits 59, and more. “We really want this pop-up to be an experience—not just an opportunity to shop,” Bandier says.

Of course it’s perfect timing for the holiday season, and but something tells us lots of people will be browsing the racks for themselves after a workout in the boutique fitness-saturated neighborhood.—Lisa Elaine Held

Bandier pop-up, 915 Broadway, at 21st Street, Flatiron District, www.bandier.com