FFNY Quick Takes with Edith Machinist
We’re back with Quick Takes — catching up with our creative community and spotlighting locals keeping NYC stylish and soulful. This time, we step into the world of vintage legend Edith Machinist.
A Note from FFNY
To know the NYC streets like the back of your hand is to feel the shifts — when something’s there one day and gone the next.
Sometimes, when walking down certain blocks it takes you back decades. The air feels different all of a sudden you’ve like time-traveled back to your younger days.
I remember when I was little grabbing burgers with my dad in midtown when every other block had a burger joint — I swear they were on conveyor belts at this one place we’d go, just waiting for you to grab.
We’d have our burgers then head to Alexander’s across from Bloomie’s. A bit cheaper, more fun for us to wander around, checking out the mens suits and socks, drying off from the afternoon rain.
Then we’d hit the Central Park Childrens Zoo, I think it was like 20 cents back then smaller, more petting-zoo vibes.
Sometimes when I’m uptown, I’m instantly transported to late-’80s NYC. The city felt big and glamorous — or maybe I was just little.
But you could feel the bigness of the new style buildings coming up and that feeling that anything was around the next corner.
I remember my stepmom dressed NYC chic, smoking her brown Nat Shermans or her Kent’s having hit Dagostino’s to cook us a meal to then hit the Hungarian Card Club in the evenings.
We know New York City is always changing — we’re the ones that make the first moves with all things, then the world catches up.
But the rare places where you can walk in and feel a long-lost version of yourself, and a moment in time, those are gold and not easy to find anymore.
Which brings me to Edith from Edith Machinist.
Walking into her shop taps into something deep in my NYC soul. If you grew up here and still walk these streets, you know what I mean.
Her fashion reminds me of that NYC woman — my stepmom from late '80s, era of Ghostbusters, or Dianne Keaton in a Woody Allen films —effortless, day to night relaxed, mixing mens wear, and layers and boho chic always on the move from the subway to a fancy meal at a piano bar or something to that effect.
So I’m here again to champion those places those owners who’ve been holding it down for us, day in, day out, keeping us stylish, unique, and NYC to the bone.
Read our quick takes interview then go shop at Edith Machinist, and be that singular you that our city celebrates!
Then maybe meet up with an old friend at Joe Junior on 16th Street, order a coffee, a burger, and catch up on what the city’s whispering about these days.
Or better yet come check us out Thursdays At Eva’s Kitchen,
Eva is nailing the neighborhood comfort vibes and good prices and more important delish food!
We Breakfast Club Every Thursday at 9am waiting to have a good catch & hear about whats on the minds of all of creative souls of NYC.
See you soon Friends! xx-FFNY
What’s your go-to spot in NYC when you need a little hit of inspiration?Visiting the Egyptian and Greek jewelry wing of the Met.
Style and substance in their truest forms. Out of a museum case, you could pluck one of those 24kt earrings dating from 1700 BCE, and wear it for drinks tonight, and it would be just perfect.
Boggles my mind every time, how modern the designs are for how ancient the pieces are.
How does being a New Yorker influence your eye for fashion?
New Yorkers are some of the smartest and most individualistic dressers. Over the years, they have kept me on my toes as a shopkeeper; they aren't afraid to give you their two cents.
By virtue of having a shop in NYC, it's just naturally made my shop stronger because there is a level of quality and excellence that New Yorkers demand. Fall/winter are the longest seasons here, so it's all about layering.
New Yorkers are onions constantly peeling layers off! Also, we aren't a heavy car culture here where we can hide in our cars, move around in our cars.
Since we walk the streets and subways vulnerable and unshielded, our outerwear and footwear become our literal vehicles. Hence, these two categories are very important for New York dressing :)
What era or aesthetic does Edith Machinist highlight most—and what’s your favorite kind of item to source?
If a piece is strong, it doesn't matter the particular decade or aesthetic movement. I personally love the '70s because it's a sexy period that understood the female form.
But I love when a piece defies its decade. Like it could be a '40s dress but when you wear it, it looks like it was designed yesterday as well. Strong design and silhouette trump everything. I do like natural fabrics like cottons, linens and silks but again if it is a strong design and it happens to be poly, I will forgive it ;)
What has it meant to have a space as an independent shop in NYC all these years?
There's too much to say here, but as a 23-year-shopkeeper in the same location, I've been thinking about how NYC often prizes newness above other things. Like what's the new hot restaurant, new trending bakery, new retail concept, etc.
And those places that have been chugging along for 15- 25 years - even longer - always delivering, always being consistent, sometimes go under the radar.
Do we know what it takes behind the scenes, to have visited a restaurant 15 years ago, and then visit it today and for it to still deliver that atmosphere and quality meal that you remember from your younger days? It's no small feat.
To be consistent with anything day after day, year after year, isn't necessarily sexy but it's some real deal sweat, and it gives the city comforting landmarks amidst the buzz.
On the other hand, nothing is meant to last forever in NYC - that's the essential tension of this city - so the newness and turnover is inevitable and important.
Damn, I don't think I answered your question, but I guess one of the things about holding space this long as a business owner, is just being consistent and delivering through it all.
What’s something you wish more people understood about vintage shopping today?
There's this quality in manufacturing and materials that you see from decades ago that is just harder to find today unless you move to a really high price point. Mixing vintage with modern can lift the modern piece and just elevate your whole look.
What’s a trend or style you see coming back in a real way?
I think getting dressed up is back in NYC. It was a bit of a slow climb since the height of the pandemic but people are done languishing in sweats.
What’s something you wish NYC had more of—fashion-wise or otherwise?
Real no-frills diners with stoneware mugs, bottomless black coffee, countertop service, worn leather booths and menu classics like a grilled corn muffin and eggs and toast.
I don't think diners are a profitable business model anymore the way commercial real estate is in NYC, but it's a real loss for our city culture. When I leave NYC that's the first thing I look forward to visiting, is a town diner.
What’s your favorite NYC-set film purely for the fashion?
Crossing Delancey has been my ultimate movie for style and set design since I was a kid. Amy Irving is a goddess with her frizzy curls, tweedy jackets, billowy blouses, and tall leather riding-style boots.
I always buy for my store with this character in mind and I wish I could live in the New York depicted in that movie. There is a perfect liquid, button-down velvet dress she blows her budget on to wear for a date with the wrong man, and last year, I swear I found the very dress, and when the customer came to the counter to purchase, we both said in unison, "have you ever seen the movie Crossing Delancey?" I was so happy she knew the reference too :)
What’s the song to your NYC?
Simon and Garfunkel - The Boxer
“Then I'm laying out my winter clothes And wishing I was gone, Going home Where the New York City winters Aren't bleeding me, Leading me, Going home.”
What’s the last NYC photo you snapped on your phone?
Outside the steps of my shop. The pink caught my eye from the window and I came out.
NYC is… (Finish the sentence)
NYC is...not for the faint of heart.
Love this spot
I liked so much about this piece and I sure miss toasted corn muffins too.