Photo: Courtesy of Simi Muhumuza
Scrolling through Simi Muhumuza’s Instagram — or her TikTok, Youtube, or Substack — it’s immediately clear she’s a woman of taste. From outfit pics in tiger-print Jean Paul Gaultier and cerulean Christopher John Rogers to vacation vlogs in Miami, Mexico, and Ghana, you’re hit with the familiar feeling that’s come to describe the digital age: You feel influenced, whether it’s to double-tap, hit “Follow,” or try the self-care tips she uses to get her inside-out glow. Muhumuza is originally from Atlanta but moved to New York City in 2020 and currently lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where she spends her days writing and hunting for hidden gems. Naturally, she’s a Rolodex of the city’s best places to shop, eat, and recharge — and luckily, she’s not one to gatekeep the spots she has saved in her Google Maps.
What are your go-to stores for clothes shopping in NYC?
I really like Arete Studios in the Lower East Side. It’s a showroom of global designers, and a lot of their items are really cool and, in my opinion, New York friendly. By that I mean the pieces can be layered, and there are unique accessories you wouldn’t find at the average store. Another place with great variety is Marché Rue Dix in Crown Heights. It’s a Senegalese, Black-woman-owned store selling African-inspired, eclectic clothes and accessories, but it also has a café and beauty salon for nails, hair, and skin treatments. It’s one of the coolest places I’ve been to.
But if I’m shopping for designer pieces, I go to the RealReal. I know people have thoughts about the RealReal, but it has never let me down. I’m also not going there to buy the most expensive thing that needs authentication; I’m going there to buy something that catches my eye. For my birthday, I found Bottega Veneta apple heels that were brand new, in my size, and a fraction of the original cost.
I’m always admiring the background of your mirror selfies — you’ve curated a great selfie-scape. Where do you go for your home décor and furniture shopping?
I adore Amano Brooklyn. They have really cute home décor and tiny things to accessorize your apartment — candles, vases, matchbook sets, mini bowls to hold your jewelry. I bought really cool candlestick holders there. They have nice recipe books, not just for cooking, but for bar-making and charcuterie boards. I go there literally whenever I want to add a little vibrancy to my apartment.
From left: Photo: Simi Muhumuza/Simi MuhumuzaPhoto: Courtesy of Simi Muhumuza
From top: Photo: Simi Muhumuza/Simi MuhumuzaPhoto: Courtesy of Simi Muhumuza
When you’re in a creative rut, where in the city do you go for inspiration?
First and foremost, I take a long walk in the park. Prospect Park is one of my favorite parks of all time. I know Central is, like, everyone’s favorite park — the cool park. But Prospect Park is underrated in my opinion. People don’t realize how big it is and how much it has to offer. Whenever I feel off, I’m like, Oh, that’s because I didn’t take my walk today.
Where are you and your girls going for cocktails on a Friday?
I love Crane Club. It’s out of the way since I live in Brooklyn, but it’s my favorite place to get a cute, upscale meal. Closer to me, we recently went to Doris in Bed–Stuy and had delicious tequila drinks. Kissa Kissa and Friends and Lovers in Crown Heights are also really fun nice. When we want a place a little more chill, we really like Fritz in Fort Greene.
Photo: Courtesy of Simi Muhumuza
What about a wellness or beauty spot when you need a refresh?
My favorite spot for treatments and facials is Atelier Confidence. It’s Black-owned, and they also sell their own supply of beauty items. It’s small and quaint, the service is top-tier, and my skin has never looked better. The founder and owner really takes her time listening to you about what you want and figuring out a treatment plan. I go for laser or DiamondGlow facials every month. It’s my little secret.
From left: Photo: Simi Muhumuza/Simi MuhumuzaPhoto: Simi Muhumuza/Simi Muhumuza
From top: Photo: Simi Muhumuza/Simi MuhumuzaPhoto: Simi Muhumuza/Simi Muhumuza
What about for fashion inspiration in the city?
Soho is the easiest place to name, but to me, that’s more direct styling inspiration — there, you’ll literally see people wearing cool clothes. The way I get inspiration is more indirect. I don’t attempt to replicate outfits I see other people wearing; I pull from my lived experiences. For me, what works is going outside, living my life, and finding inspiration through those moments. I recently saw a play at Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village — the cutest theater I’ve ever been to — and afterward, we went to this close-by bar. I wasn’t even looking at the people in the room, but I left that night feeling so inspired. Little experiences like that give me permission to slow down, and when I do, I’m inspired to explore my closet. Instead of I need to find an outfit. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Oh my God, I can play with my clothes, actually enjoy what I have, and put an outfit together without feeling rushed.
This is a controversial question, fair warning: Do you have a take on which New York neighborhood has the best style?
The real cool kids, in my opinion, are between Harlem and Bed–Stuy. And when I say Bed–Stuy, I mean the Sincerely, Tommy of it all.
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