Founded in 1933, this shop has no American competition. Tinsel is a trusted professional resource for museum restorers, costume designers, architects, decorators and fashion designers. Period buttons, flowers and trims overflow from antique cabinets and chests in the well-lit, whimsical space. For your swashbuckling side, there are sword knots, epaulets and assorted military frippery. Michael Jackson once festooned himself in the store's military-style trim.
Tinsel takes no credit for the glove.
Davis is close by at all times to help. If your design has that special something, Davis might pick it for the Friday-night exhibit held weekly at the store, where you can sell it off the mannequin or take it home for free. The floaty two-piece skirt and shirt made from white gauze barely covering one of the other mannequins achieves a Gladiator effect. L to First Ave. We bring a photo of Uma Thurman from Elle magazine into Gizmo, a slightly chaotic but not at all intimidating East Village shop.