Cover Photo – Michael Ostuni /PMC
PATRICIA ANN PARENTI
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Daniel Quintanilla and I attended the opening of the Emanuel New York in the heart of the NYC Garment District at 329 West 39th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue. The store is a collaboration of Couture Designer, Victor DeSouza and Dustin Lujan , Makeup and Fragrance Guru. In the back of the store are samples of Victor’s Clothing Collection which he can custom make in your size or you can buy these beautiful creations right then and there. The rest of the store has many unique brands of fragrances that you won’t find in the department stores. Many of the fragrance creators were at the event where I got to try on the many different brands. I will let Daniel tell you about that.
Photos: Patricia Ann Parenti
Since my background is 48 years in the fashion industry with many years working in the garment center, I’m extremely happy about this store adding to the revival of this area. Because this was a store opening and not a runway show I was able to get up close to Victor’s exist creations. Since I source fabrics for a couple of different designers and attend fabric trade shows I can tell you his fabrics are sourced from the best mills in Europe and of the highest quality. For Fall 2025 he made jackets, skirts and dresses in a heavy floral tapestry, dark denim suits with big bell bottoms and peplum jackets and boucle jackets that are fitted thru the bodice and then flare out into a peplum and are paired with matching walking shorts. All of the styles have strict tailoring and are fitted to the body to show off a woman’s figure. These are clothes that will last you for years, won’t wear out and are classic. The reason the heavy fabrics are used is because in couture the clothes are meant to last for years and you don’t get rid of them because they were last year’s trend. Maybe someday you will want to hand these clothes down to your daughter.
Photo – Michael Ostuni /PMC
DANIEL QUINTANILLA
Yes, it was opening night for Emanuel New York as the new high-luxury perfumes and clothing destination by Victor dE Souza and Dustin Lujan. A guest list of loyal friends included powerful figures such as Jean Shafiroff came to celebrate this business venture that promises to be the catalyst in the reviving 39th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue with its unprecedented marriage of the best fragrances with the clothing of Victor dE Souza. What celebrates the true area’s aesthetic that is the garment district is that Victor dE Souza utilizes the back space of its store to made Victor’s pieces on site. As well as a place to alter, tailor, model, and measure dresses after they’re produced. In action is a place where fabrics and yarns of the highest quality are cut, sewn, dyed, and cared for without the albatross of fast fashion leaving a lot to be desired.
Photos: Daniel Quintanilla
The apparent star of the night at Emanuel New York packed with Victor and Dustin’s friends wall to wall are the high-end fragrances you will find all around the storefront. The fabulous combination of clean, crisp, and class scented perfume with notes of citrus, rose, and a dab of vanilla are welcoming to any special occasion. Fragrances available at Emanuel New York include Navitus, City Rhythm, Imperial Parfums, Muschieri, Oyster, Oscar Emil, and Victor dE Souza’s own makeup snd perfume line which all tell their own story of scents conceived by inspiration. Separating the noise that exist outside Emanuel New York on 39th Street comes a true place reminding you of not only a district originally created for the fashion industry, but a destination which inspires you to challenge what you find joyful.
Photos: Daniel Quintanilla
A good life lesson if you choose to live in New York City, you must set up tent here but dash out a half a second later to meet the moment. Nothing must be held back once you put yourself out there, and you must do it in the utmost elegant way. The first step to lining yourself up in the highlife is wearing high-end fashion just to be taken seriously. Pieces, shoes, and accessories all play a vital role in you being included on the guest list of runway show, or a Manhattan nightclub. Accompanying niche fashions come with acquiring your best scents, which Emanuel New York helps you catalyze the crowd that propels you in front of key people.
Photos: Daniel Quintanilla
Creating a destination like Emanuel New York was not just about a niche space, it meant going as far as ultra-niche to build this new business venture. One of the perfumes, City Rhythm, was created by Niles Ramadhin, Niles is also a business partner with Victor and Dustin as one of the owners of Emanuel New York. It all came about with Niles simply overhearing a conversation Victor and Dustin were having, which Niles celebrated and wanted to be apart of and launch. Along with Jean Shafiroff’s lifelong association with Victor dE Souza while also celebrating Dustin’s fragrance expertise for many years, this is certainly the right time for Emanuel New York to be apart of the crossroads of Hell’s Kitchen and the Garment District that’s seeing a rebirth of purpose.
Photo – Michael Ostuni /PMC
PATRICIA ANN PARENTI
For the Summer 2025 season that we are in right now there were lots of colorful looks. One model was wearing a peach-colored ballon sleeve blouse with a pencil skirt with a unicorn print on it that was a very creative idea. The sleeveless sheath maxi dress done in a floral print with bunny rabbits in sherbert colors is the perfect dress to wear to a summer day or evening wedding or an evening formal affair when you don’t want to wear a big poofy gown. The lace up back of the bodice is perfect to wear to an event that you will be standing with your back against the crowd. My favorite piece was a black with a pastel floral print short sleeve double breasted jacket adorned with big black satin bows at the edges of the sleeves with matching satin lapels and covered buttons.
Photos: Patricia Ann Parenti
I had the opportunity to go back to the Altiere and see how the clothes were made. The room was very light and airy with brand new sewing machines. What I did notice is the clothes being couture were made the old-fashioned way. Meaning I didn’t see any computer aided design but curve rulers instead. Hanging on racks in the back were samples in the making.
I’ll explain how the American Couture process works: first you pick out a style that you like, then you are measured so that this garment will be made just for you and no one else, come in for fittings so that you are assured the garment will fit you perfectly and in a few weeks, you have a MADE IN NYC COUTURE CREATION! If you need something special and the style isn’t in the store then Victor can make some hand drawn sketches for you and make you that special item right in his Altiere. You don’t need an appointment to go the store. Just stop in because it’s on the ground level. Hours open are 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and Sunday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.