ALTAI Boutique: A Winning Effort On West 3rd Street

Although mixing business with pleasure can be a dangerous cocktail, it seems like Ian Barry and Amaryllis Knight have built up a fine tolerance. In fact, these two polymaths are punch-drunk in love, and similar to Knight's newly opened ALTAI boutique on West 3rd Street, have quite a backstory. He, a motorcycle enthusiast and artist (he has just completed number four in The Falcon Ten, a collection of ten unique motorcycles represented at Michael Kohn Gallery) and she, an interior and furniture designer met over — what else? — a bike. In addition to being partners in a handful of projects with chef Josef Centeno of Bäco Mercat and Bar Amá, the couple now share a design/studio space behind Knight’s ALTAI boutique.

The space, which features a focused and curated vision à la Just One Eye, sells exclusive items from the likes of Raf Simons and furniture designs by Knight herself. Teena Sahebi's taking care of the fashion arm of the outpost (a former manager of Opening Ceremony) and Corrina Peipon, an assistant curator at Hammer Museum, is editing the blog.

Long story short: This crew has talent to spare, and there's no shortage of wish-list items at this intimate locale. Just don't be surprised if you walk out with a backgammon set or a glass revolver.
(T Magazine)

Altai Design, 5810 West 3rd Street (near South Formosa Avenue); 323-931-3333.