Jean Shafioff, Victor dESouza, Dustin Lujan, & Niles D. Ramadhin – photo by Laurel Marcus
What to call a collaborative effort – a boutique that features the utmost in perfume, beauty, and couture? Call it Emanuel New York – the brainchild of fashion designer/beauty brand owner Victor dESouza, beauty entrepreneur Dustin Lujan, and creative director of City Rhythm Fragrance Niles D. Ramadhin. “Colette (the former concept magasin in Paris) is our inspiration,” Dustin told me. “We plan to add books and other items soon.”
“The scene” – photo by Laurel Marcus
I attended the grand opening of this chic embodiment of eclectic luxury retail, located at the convergence of Times Square, the Fashion District, and the Hudson Yards area, last Wednesday night. It was a joyous celebration, a culmination of years of anticipation and a promising start to a new fashion destination.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
As Victor pointed out during the private tour I took of the space the week prior, the design is truly unique-there are no harsh angles, everything is curved, from the walls to the floor to the carpeting and furnishings. This creates an eye-pleasing, serene environment where the merchandise can truly shine, inviting you to explore.
Modelling a dE Souza design – photo by Laurel Marcus
From the gleaming bottles of various ultra-niche scents to the fashion-forward garments, ranging from a unique take on denim and tapestry jackets and vests made with internationally sourced fabrics, a room featuring sumptuous gowns, and even a bridal salon, the treasures continue to unfold.
Victor is gaining quite a following, dressing some high-profile brides and their mothers. “They go everywhere else, and then they come to me,” he remarked with a smile, a testament to his unique and sought-after designs.
Victor at work – photo by Laurel Marcus
Victor’s design workroom (his desk strewn with sketches and other artistic paraphernalia) is down a narrow hallway which opens onto a cavernous space including sewing machines, mannequins, past collections, and current creations co-mingling in creative harmony. Here, you’ll find a photo studio with a curved wall and sloping floor, which made for some interesting photos as guests and models alike struck a pose.
Raisin Saini, Merlina Nunez, Dylan Kessler, Victoria Ade – photo by Laurel Marcus
I would characterize his style as if Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood had a baby, along with other touches, such as ruffled flourishes, that are totally VdS Couture. Dustin remarked that often, when inspiration hits Victor at 2 AM, neither of them gets much sleep – that’s the way of the creative process– it strikes when it strikes.
Guests – photo by Laurel Marcus
The Veuve Clicquot flowed, and a crowd of local fashion people, friends, influencers, press, photographers, and models all mingled while sniffing scents, sampling makeup, and in some cases, trying on clothing, particularly from the sample rack in Victor’s workroom.
Why the name Emanuel? Dustin explained during a speech at the event that he was initially meant to be named Emanuel, but his grandmother put Dustin on his birth certificate instead. Victor’s middle name is Manuel, so it just seemed fitting.
“This is a dream come true for a kid from Trinidad,” Niles told me. Although he came to New York at the age of 12, he’s still in awe of the big city. His fragrances are all inspired by places he has spent time, literally trying to capture their essence. There’s a Manhattan, Manhattan Midnight, along with Miami, Austin, Barcelona, San Diego, Puerto Rico, Nashville, St. John, and his latest scent, Martha’s Vineyard, which launched at the event.
Jean and Victor – photo by Laurel Marcus
Philanthropist and customer Jean Shafiroff spoke to the crowd about how she initially met Victor, who has become one of her go-to designers for her active charity event gala lifestyle. “I was at his 2008 fashion show, and when I saw the last gown, I said I want to buy that gown,” she recounted. She did buy that actual gown, and the rest is history.
More guests – photo by Laurel Marcus
“Whenever I wore one of Victor’s gowns, I ended up in the New York Times,” she added. Jean recently wore one of Victor’s couture creations, made for her from a sketch, to the New York Botanical Garden Conservatory gala last month. Victor also accompanied her to the gala — a tradition they had started years ago. Always a hoot, he quipped that Jean was “cleaning the floor with couture” due to the gown’s sweeping train.
Laurel Marcus wearing Victor dESouza suit
Ironically, at the store opening event, Jean showed up in Dolce & Gabbana pajamas – “I couldn’t wear a gown since I had an event before this one,” she remarked – while I was lent a Victor dESouza original man-tailored suit.
The jacket featured a wolf embroidered on the back (perhaps Victor and Gucci think alike), which I paired with my own accessories. It was a big hit, as everyone said, “I love your suit,” to which I replied, “It’s Victor!” As was my long-lasting (and gifted) “Female Trouble” fuchsia lipstick, also from Victor dE Souza Beauty.
The store is located at 329 West 39th Street and can be found on Instagram at emanuel_newyork.
