From New to Vintage

If you’ve walked down Atwells on your way to Lili Marlene’s or Providence Tattoo over the past few months, chances are you’ve passed a window display featuring a mannequin’s backside dressed in a slinky black and white striped skirt. The prominent placement of that impossible-to-miss molded plastic bootie was the brainchild of artist- owner Julia Sullivan, who opened Nuit in January. Obviously, she understands that the first matter of business is getting people through the door.

Sullivan attended RISD for printmaking but after graduation found herself sewing rather than etching. “My mother was a designer with a factory in Maryland where I spent most of my childhood,” she says. “So even before learning to sew on an industrial serger at a very early age, I was making weird outfits out of scraps of fabric tied together.” Sullivan continued to sew as an adult, often wearing her own creations. “I work in a couple bars where I’ve worn the clothes I made,” she says. “People were often exclaiming about them and inquiring as to where I got them. Eventually, I just thought I should open a store.”

The space on Atwells was the only one she looked at: “Once I saw it I couldn’t resist.” In addition to Sullivan’s unique designs, the tiny shop is stocked with handmade clothing and jewelry crafted by other local designers, and vintage garments and accessories. “My general rule for stocking the store is to put in things I would wear. Other than that, anything goes... The range of goods is fairly widespread, as are the prices.” Clothing hangs from a rack on the left wall and on a center rack in the middle of the room; jewelry and accessories are neatly displayed in a cabinet.

“I like that you can walk in and look at $300 fur coats – which are steals anyway – but you will always be able to afford something,” she says. Nuit also carries wild silkscreened things by Muffy Brandt and Simon & Talia as well as Forever 2012 jewelry and Rachel Blodgett’s indigo-dyed lingerie brand Annette. “I think every woman has her own style, and the more options the better. Different designers flatter different bodies and sensibilities.”

On a recent visit with some girlfriends, we all found items we loved: funky ‘50s-inspired headbands, silk-screened leggings and cigarette holder necklaces. (If only I still smoked.) As far as the vintage goes, Sullivan finds it all over but won’t reveal any more secrets than that. “I love it when someone walks out with something that not only flatters them but makes them happy,” she says. I’m pretty sure many happy women will be walking out her door.