Photograph: Noffar Gat
Photograph: Noffar Gat |

Simonet wears a silk tee from back when Ale et Ange made women’s clothing. The brand now focuses on duds for guys because, according to Simonet, “there’s less out there for men.” She pairs the top with a vintage floral skirt from Screaming Mimi’s (382 Lafayette St between E 4th and Great Jones Sts; 212-677-6464, screamingmimis.com).

Most stylish New Yorkers 2013: Eloïse Simonet

The designer and Ale et Ange co-owner loves mixing vintage pieces with discounted name-brand threads.

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Ale et Ange store owner Eloïse Simonet proves she is one of Time Out’s most stylish New Yorkers by modeling her feminine looks. She uses vintage designer accessories to make modern Ale et Ange clothing even more unique. She has a weakness for eBay and frequently shops at NYC stores Ina and Resurrection.

RECOMMENDED: Most stylish New Yorkers

Eloïse Simonet
, 33; Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; designer and co-owner of Ale et Ange (40 Rivington St between Eldridge and Forsyth Sts; 212-228-9865, aleetange.com)

Her personal style: “A stylist friend describes me as effortless, timeless and minimalist. I like my clothing to have clean lines, no bells and whistles. I play with prints and colors but keep the shapes simple.”

Her style inspirations: “My parents inspire me. My mom is from France and was a film editor in Paris throughout the 1970s. I inherited her taste, style and love for the arts. At present, her style is yoga-Zen. She is Buddhist and teaches yoga in Negril. My father is Jamaican. He loves denim, linen, breezy cottons and camouflage. I have hundreds of family Polaroids from the ’80s and ’90s that serve as a source of inspiration.”

About her store: “The mood is warm, honest and very personal. The [menswear and accessories] provoke thought, conversation and emotion in a manner not dissimilar to those of a painting or sculpture. No mass production here; every item is handmade and unique. Collectors of Ale et Ange have dubbed the pieces ‘wearable art.’ ”

Favorite stores:Only Hearts (230 Mott St betwen Prince and Spring Sts; 212-431-3694, onlyhearts.com) has lovely lace-trim bras, and I love their sample sales. I often find [designer resale] treasures at Ina (locations throughout the city; visit inanyc.com). Resurrection (217 Mott St between Prince and Spring Sts; 212-625-1374, resurrectionvintage.com) has amazing vintage. My mom introduced me to Me & Ro (241 Elizabeth St between E Houston and Prince Sts; 917-237-9215, meandrojewelry.com). I like jewelry to be small and meaningful, and they seem to have mastered that.”

How her profession influences her style: “We make clothes that we want to be wearing and are fortunate to be able to make a living selling them. So, essentially, selling style is my profession.”

Her New York style icon: “I met Betsey Johnson through my mom when I was around 12. She gave me an unforgettable rainbow swimsuit that I wish I still had. Later, I was fortunate enough to attend a few of her shows. She’s just incredible.”

How her style has evolved: “My skirts have gotten a bit longer. I don’t show as much skin. As I grew up, I learned that it’s better to leave a little to the imagination.”

Favorite salon: “I cut and style my own hair. I once got a haircut at Devachan (560 Broadway between Prince and Spring Sts; 212-274-8686, devachansalon.com). The technique was so simple that I started doing it myself.”

Follow Elizabeth Denton on Twitter: @elizabethann1

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