Boutique Interview: Thirteen Crosby
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
Written by Lauryn Eshietedoho, Edited by the Writing Team
Some could argue that the surge of Y2K fashion has oversaturated today’s trend cycle, almost obsessively. Endless brands have tried to replicate the once distinctive style—the low-rise jeans, baby tees, rhinestones, etc.—oversimplifying it through mass production. However, inside Thirteen Crosby, the aesthetic feels less like a trend and more like preservation.
Originally located at 13th Crosby Street in New York City’s SoHo, the boutique kept its name when it relocated to its current home at 4A Prince Street. Despite a change of location, the shop’s identity remains grounded in its authenticity to Y2K fashion. Here, you can find real garments from the era that have been beautifully preserved. Once you step inside, it’s easy to see why this place has become such a popular sourcing spot for stylists in the city. I brought my Sony handycam to encapsulate the 2000s feel.
Their selection is wide-ranging, from vintage designers like Burberry and Dior to the forgotten mall brands of the Y2K era. Though their prices span a wide range, they are connected by their reflection of the same cultural moment.
Without gatekeeping, this place has become my go-to hotspot for Hysteric Glamour sourcing. They have so many rarities imported—also notably better than the gouged prices you’d find online, on reselling platforms like Depop or Grailed. Without fail, I’m always leaving the store with another exaggerated accessory or jacket that Hysteric Glamour is known for.
Every boutique I enter, I’m curious about how and where they source their inventory. Gratefully, I had the privilege of speaking with the co-manager of the boutique, Sisi Hoya, for a quick interview. After I asked, Hoya told me that they source a lot of their pieces overseas. “A lot of our shipment boxes come from Japan,” she explained. With the growing thrift culture and stores like 2nd Street expanding into the United States, Japan has become an important source. “Many people in Japan take good care of their stuff,” she remarked, which explains why their pieces tend to be in such good condition despite their age.
Hoya also spoke about the boutique’s pop-ups (they had one before fashion week from February 6th-February 7th) and their recent focus on their collection of vintage fur coats for the Fall/Winter season. I asked if there was a popular item they sell the most and the answer seemed to reveal itself instantly. Several shoppers came in eager to go through their new box of imported furs, ready for their upcoming pop-up. “People have been waiting for these,” Hoya said, laughing as a group of girls tried on the coats. Some were in classic shades such as cream and deep browns, while others had more unconventional color palettes. One that I kept eyeing was this striking yellow and black coat displayed on the wall, but I decided against it with my over-capacitated
jacket collection. To me, it just displays their duality of offering both alternative and traditional winter wear. The excitement around the box of “goodies” was a treat to witness.
“We try to carry pieces that feel bold but still wearable”
Just as the store was beginning to get busy for the day, I was allowed the opportunity to style a look from my imagination directly from the racks. I paired a Joseph Ripkoff sequin jacket with black UFO pants, finishing the look with my (very) prized DSQUARED belt. Standing in the fitting room, combining different bags and accessories reminded me of my early days playing dress-up in my mom’s closet, throwing anything and everything together, hoping it worked. Just being guided by instinct rather than reaching “perfection.”
The boutique itself is small, but its size creates a shopping experience that feels personal. The distinct pieces tend to remind you of your own individuality in a beautiful and personal way. There’s no rushing through racks or getting lost in piles of the same thing over and over again. And in doing so, you’re able to realize that personal style has always been at the heart of all the avenues of Y2K fashion, long before it became a trend to recreate. Back then, it wasn’t about getting it “right”; it was about trying things, mixing things, sometimes entirely missing the mark, but still making it yours. To me, Thirteen Crosby, as I’m sure it is for many others, is a place where, thankfully, that feeling of freedom hasn’t completely been lost.
Lauryn (Class of 2029) has recently started leaning more into her artist name, saint lauryn, something that began almost like a tag but has slowly turned into a way of understanding how she creates. As much as she’s been a long-time fan of Yves Saint Laurent and its sharp tailoring, structure, and almost armor-like silhouettes, she’s just as drawn to what feels undone. She gravitates toward the retro and the slightly chaotic, the kind of looks that feel worn in and real rather than perfectly put together. Her fashion philosophy is the simple question: what actually feels like me?
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