Text size:

Famed boutique in limbo after tragedy

BY FARNOOSH TORABI | Special to amNewYork

December 4, 2006

On Nov. 1, The Studio, a vintage clothing boutique, suddenly and tragically lost its most valuable asset: Owner Jean Claude Mastroianni.

For seven years, the Brooklyn-native dedicated his life to bringing unique styles from around the world to his shop at 218 West 29th St.

His friends remember him as a true patron and purveyor of the fashion world.

"The fact that he passed on All Saints' Day was really appropriate," said Laurie Begnaud, who worked for Mastroianni as a model, sample maker and design assistant. "He gave himself completely."

Mastroianni, 54, a designer and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, died after a freak accident in his West Village home when he fell through a shower door and severed an artery, family members and colleagues said.

He had not given directions for his business in the event of such tragedy, having perhaps not yet imagined life without himself or his fashion district store, a place that brought him so much pride.

After all, this was where Bette Midler would pop by looking for shoes to fit her tiny feet and where one of Madonna's jeweled bras hangs in the display window. It was the place where fashion-thirsty New Yorkers would visit to peruse the more than 200 hats, 300 designer dresses and endless pieces of jewelry to either rent or buy.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," said Alvin Williams, who spent the past four years as The Studio's accountant. The sixth floor of the building, he said, stores about 90% of Mastroianni's clothing collection.

"We're really in that 'Oh my God' phase," sighed Williams. He and Begnaud have spent the past few weeks preparing the store for a sale.

They say it's been challenging trying to sift through and price certain pieces of clothing and accessories since Mastroianni left many items untagged.

"You have to take the designer into consideration and the celebrity into consideration and then it's a blend of the two," said Begnaud.

She pointed to a cranberry red wool Valentino suit once belonging to Jacqueline Kennedy. Shortly before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, the First Lady had sent the suit back to Valentino for slight alternations, but she never followed through with the order following the President's death.

Instead Mastroianni bought it from Valentino and added it to his "Legendary Collection" at The Studio, a selection of gowns and outfits worn by celebrities and socialites, including Coco Chanel's coffee-stained, silk, organza dress.

The hard part is proving the history behind the garments to support the price tag, said Begnaud. For that, she and Williams are searching for signed documentation describing the pieces. "We know [the pieces are valuable] but was there a letter? We need to find those things," she said, standing on the second floor of The Studio surrounded by 10-foot racks of unmarked dresses. "That's one of the frustrations now."

During the past few weeks rummaging through the store, Williams and Begnaud have been reflecting on The Studio and what Mastroianni would have wished for the business upon his death.

"Maybe we should take it over?" Williams turned to Laurie at one point. "Let's think about that," he said. Begnaud raised her brows in a moment of overwhelm. Then, she smiled. "There would be some changes," she said, such as narrowing the store's collection and getting rid of the props and interior design décor that clutter the first floor.

"I can feel him rolling over in his grave," laughed Williams. Begnaud agreed. "[Mastroianni] would have to swallow his pride," she said. "But I think he would accept that."