new york

boston chicago connecticut DFW los angeles miami new york philadelphia san diego sf bay area washington

The Feast leads you to the best places to eat, shop, and play in your city. Here's how we do it.

« Prev | Four Sales for Every Sartorial Speed Local Designers Converge for 'Ambush' | Next »

Openings by Oct 14, 06:11PM in Shop

Crow Thief Opens in South Park, Stocking Distressed Lambskin Plaids, Custom Denim

Crow Thief Opens in South Park, Aims to Bring 'the Gentleman Back to Society'

In the customization area, there are sexy seating options for clients. The stools were made by the designer's husband and business partner, Ray Lawson. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast

In the customization area, there are sexy seating options for clients. The stools were made by the designer's husband and business partner, Ray Lawson.

Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast

"I think the fact that people can come in and customize their own shirt and it’s literally one of one is something that’s new and exciting to them," says owner/designer Melissa Hendrix-Lawson. "I feel there’s this whole new movement of people caring about their lifestyle and caring more about the items and products they purchase." Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
One of the more popular styles is this shirt that, come winter, can double as a jacket in S.D. The plaid textile is 100 percent wool, and the piece is trimmed in absurdly soft distressed lambskin, one of the designer's favorite materials to work with. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
Hendrix-Lawson, a FIDM Los Angeles grad, used to work in the production department at the most unlikely of retailers: Forever 21. "You see so much mass production there," says Hendrix-Lawson. "It was a great learning experience, but we never wanted to get to that point. No matter how much money there is to be made, we always want to stay true to our clients — offer that exclusivity at a price point that’s reasonable." Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
In the customization area, there are sexy seating options for clients. The stools were made by the designer's husband and business partner, Ray Lawson. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
The space was formerly a real estate office. When Crow Thief — which was founded in 2008 and was originally based out of the designer's home — moved into the space, raw wood was added to the walls, the carpet was ripped up, and appealingly sturdy and nostalgic housewares were added. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
In the showroom, each style only has a maximum of six pieces produced. "When that style sells out, we don’t reproduce it," Hendrix-Lawson says. The shop also offers custom craftsmanship; if a piece is the right fit for a customer but, for example, needs to be longer, the designer will create a custom pattern for the client. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
All patterns are kept on file, for return clients. The sewing machine, by the way, belonged to Ray Lawson's grandmother, who, Hendrix-Lawson tells us, used to make square dancing costumes on it. She also "knitted like there was no tomorrow." Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
Crow Thief also carries the work of S.D. designers like Robert Keller, who does custom denim. "They're sexy," Hendrix-Lawson says of the jeans. Note: even the belt loops are selvage. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
"This is my version of a man cave," says Hendrix-Lawson of the store's interior. The bull horns atop the in-store bar came from the home she shares with her husband. "I want to bring the gentleman back to society — not that there aren't any left, but it's about guys feeling good about themselves, good about wearing tailored cuts." Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
A cool-as-can-be canvas jacket trimmed in black, by Crow Thief's private label. Keep alert for the shop's Movember events next month, during which the Crow Thief team will grow beards in support of prostate cancer awareness. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
Prime Japanese denim from the studio's wall of fabrics. One client has commissioned a jacket in that denim, which will be trimmed in chocolate suede. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
Another local label carried by Crow Thief is Edison, whose leather goods have garnered a fierce following. Edison is also expanding into bags, also available at the store. The shop is also looking into carrying hats and shoes. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
Speaking of lambskin, even the gift certificates feature a lambskin cover. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
The atelier's stash of leather. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
Jars full of tags, studs, and other notions line the shop window. Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast
"My husband's nickname is 'squid,' which in Japanese is created by two kanji characters," says Hendrix-Lawson. "When you split those characters, the first one translates to 'crow' and the second kanji character translates to 'thief.' When we first spoke the words we realized it had a special hum to it — mysterious, edgy and intriguing." Photo: Chantal Gordon/The Feast

PHOTO 4/16

Now, owning that coveted “one of one” bespoke jacket is no longer a pipe dream. Opened last month in South Park, menswear boutique Crow Thief carries ready-to-wear styles (batches are thrillingly small) and also offers custom jobs. The price points — typically ranging from $89 to $189 — are within reach, and everything is crafted in Southern California.

“When we do custom, I close my doors and we spread all the materials out, and I [design based] on a lot of different things. I ask a lot of questions,” says shop owner and designer Melissa Hendrix-Lawson. “'What’s your lifestyle like, do you go out often, or do you like to stay home and have dinner with your wife?’ It’s fun but it gets messy in here,” she jokes.

On the ready-to-wear side, the current selection includes a rugged-but-refined plaid wool shirt with distressed lambskin, a cream blazer with a black-trimmed notched lapel, and cotton button-ups in chevrons and solids done in flattering cuts. Did we mention that this all goes down inside a gentlemanly interior?

The shop is having its grand opening party on Saturday, October 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. Before you join the soiree, you might want to take a peek at the shop (“my version of a man cave,” says Hendrix-Lawson), above.