GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Shop
I first discovered The Armoury, a distinguished menswear shop, in Hong Kong around 2011. Upstairs in the Pedder Building, it was a hidden gem, distinguishing itself with its impeccable sartorial selections and knowledgeable, warm service, setting a standard well above the typical Hong Kong suit vendors.
The visionary founder, Mark Cho, has successfully extended his old-school haberdashery approach to New York, opening locations in Tribeca and the Upper East Side. In an era where men's retail in New York has declined, largely due to the rise of e-commerce and casual work-from-home attire, The Armoury continues the art of classic menswear in the city.
Buying choices are exceptional. Of particular note: exquisitely tailored overcoats from Japanese brand Cohérence, a dynamic selection of artisan-crafted shoes by the likes of Yohei Fukuda, ties from Drakes, and a Fox umbrella you’d be upset to forget at Balthazar.
Cho curates from the finest craftsmen globally, from Naples to Japan, offering an experience that justifies his premium pricing. In addition to the inventory on hand, the traveling trunk shows are highlights, with notable appearances by Liverano, crafting bespoke Florentine silhouettes, and Caid, a Japanese tailor known for Ivy League suits that blend modernity with timelessness.
The Armoury's in-house made-to-measure tailoring is also first rate, ideal for suiting and black-tie events. Craft at this level makes a case for the relevance of retail: to touch, feel, and experience items of superb quality remains one of life’s enduring pleasures. –Colin Nagy
→ Shop: The Armoury, 168 Duane St. (Tribeca) and 13 E. 69th St. (Upper East Side).