Rummaging with: Yoon Chang and Je-Won Hwang of Whistle & Flute

“We often look to interiors and architecture when designing a collection”

Photograph: Jackie Johnston

Shortly after Yoon Chang and Je-Won Hwang launched their sleek, gender-bending womenswear line, Whistle & Flute (whistleflute.com), last fall, the former Cynthia Steffe staffers found creative respite in Dumbo’s thought-provoking design boutiques, vintage furniture showrooms and used-book stores. Though they’ve moved their offices from Brooklyn to midtown, Chang resides in the ’hood, and the duo still poke around its shops to kindle fresh ideas for their unfussy, tailored clothes.

Photograph: Jackie Johnston

GalleryQB
“We often look to interiors and architecture when designing a collection,” says Chang, who confessed to dragging her husband to this little-known vintage-decor shop that opened last October in the former ABC Carpet & Home space. “And compared to other midcentury-furniture stores like Prague Kolektiv, it’s pretty affordable—we paid $250 for a side table.” 163 Plymouth St between Jay and Pearl Sts (718-222-1885)

Photograph: Jackie Johnston

Zakka NYC
Visiting this Asian kitsch emporium—originally located in Soho—is like a trip to Tokyo, according to Hwang and Chang, who immediately gravitated to a table covered with Harajuku fashion magazines and sushi-shaped lighters. The pair loves this spot’s token-operated, tchotchke-laden vending machines, design tomes on camouflage prints and quirky vinyl toys. 155 Plymouth St between Jay and Pearl Sts (718-801-8037)

Photograph: Jackie Johnston

Spring Design & Art
Both married to Brits working in industries where beauty meets functionality (Hwang’s husband is a product designer and Chang’s is an architect), the pair share a deep appreciation for the avant, cerebral works on display at this artful housewares shop. “It would be easy to do this to your own books,” marvels Hwang of artist Katya Marritz’s Bookscapes, hardcover tomes ($150) whose pages have been scored and folded to resemble a topographical map. 126A Front St at Pearl St (718-222-1054)

Photograph: Jackie Johnston

Halcyon
“We listened to a lot of ’80s music when we were designing the spring collection, like the Smiths, Depeche Mode, and Siouxsie and the Banshees,” says Chang. “It’s good background noise and upbeat,” adds Hwang. 57 Pearl St at Water St (718-260-9299)

Photograph: Jackie Johnston

P.S. Bookshop
“Because they carry used books, first editions and stuff that’s out of print, there is always something random and different that will catch your eye and interest,” says Chang. “The prices are really reasonable too.” 145A Front St between Jay and Pearl Sts (718-222-3340)