Childhood in China Inspired Clothing Shop in Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Menush Amit/COLlive

6 years ago, Chiena Avtzon was asked to help design a skirt for a brand geared for girls camp clothes. She did so happily, using the skills she gained while designing and creating her own clothing while growing up in China, where her parents direct Chabad of Hong Kong.

“One thing led to the next, and while it was never in the plans, our store, the Three Bows Showroom in Crown Heights, is our company’s heartbeat,” Avtzon says.

The brand of clothing for girls and teens began with the design of her first camp skirt, and soon led to the creation of new items for both boys and girls of all sizes, which she sold online via her website and in boutiques in America and Europe.

“As the brand grew, the most common question we would receive from customers was, ‘where can we try this on?'” Avtzon says.

“The second most common email we would get were from parents, relating how much their girls were enjoying our clothes and requesting for us to make other items,” she says.

“It was hard to fill these requests, especially since our customers were virtually strangers. As I was struggling with the first question, on how to help direct our customers to stores that carried our line, I realized that a store was an answer to both,” she says.

At a time when stores opt for online sales, Avtzon says she realized that only a brick and mortar store can provide a convenient place for customers to try on the clothing for the best fit.

It would also serve as a great way for her to meet the customers, get to know them and what they are looking for, and get their feedback, almost certainly leading to a better product. And so, the idea to launch a store was born.

To design the shop, Avtzon was inspired by the stores she grew up shopping at in Hong Kong. “Each one was elegantly renovated, with lots of free space, and gave you that feeling of relaxation just from browsing,” she describes.

She was determined to capture that vibe and bring it to the streets of Crown Heights. Teaming up with NYC Interior Designer Miriam Rochester, they set out to accomplish just that. With a spacious layout, soft coloring, elegant lighting, and a relaxing sitting area, the store gives you a feeling of calm that most customers can’t help but comment on.

The first item you’ll see when you walk into the store is the now famous ‘camp skirt,’ “still our best selling item,” says Avtzon.

“The difference is that now we offer them in many different sizes, including ladies, and carry it in all types of fabric,” she says.

In the new shop, customers have a place to see the latest version and try it on, match it up with a top, and view the rest of the collection.

Three Bows
561 Empire Boulevard (Kingston and Brooklyn)
(347) 508-2697
Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
Mon-Thurs: 12 PM – 6 PM
www.threebows.com