brooklyn bound: dalaga

I first read about Dalaga in New York Magazine’s 2010 “Best of New York” shopping guide – it awarded the store with the title of “Best Dresses” and promptly went onto my list of places to visit – as soon as possible.

Dalaga was the first retail storefront to open on the now thriving Franklin Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It is owned and operated by two sisters – Mary and Michelle Mangiliman – who pride themselves on supporting local designers and being an eclectic, affordable boutique in the “sea that is Brooklyn retail”.

Initially intended to serve as a spot to manufacture and showcase the sisters’ clothing line, Dalaga has grown to include one-of-a-kind pieces and unique accessories. The store itself is a funky  “boudoir-meets-garden setting”, decorated with sparkling chandeliers, ornate rugs and mirrors and an overall “antique-inspired, feminine décor”, which smartly contrasts with the industrial bones of this landmark building.

Chelsea and I spent quite some time there on a recent visit, and fell in love with the well-edited displays of dresses and separates, jewelry, shoes and accessories. There was a great selection of gift items too – including stationery, fragrances and decorative mirrors and display boxes.

Curious about the name? I was too – “Dalaga” is a nod to the girls’ Filipino roots and is a word  that the sisters’ father used to lovingly call them when they were growing up. “Dalaga” embodies what it means to be a young woman in her prime. For Mary and Michelle, “Dalaga” refers to the quintessential woman, and their store is a haven for all types of Dalagas.

Tap into your inner “Dalaga” with a visit to this fabulous store soon! Here are some photos of our visit  – click here for the full slide show!

About the author

Sheri Silver

Sheri Silver is a New York-based food photographer and recipe developer who has been cooking and baking for over 30 years. She works with brands, authors and restaurants to create recipes that are as beautiful as they are foolproof - and every recipe on this blog has been made, tweaked and eaten in her own kitchen.

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