Ishtiaq Jabir Rafiuddin transforms a historic SoHo storefront into a relaxed, Silk Road–inspired retail space
Sabah, a purveyor of handcrafted leather shoes reminiscent of Turkish slippers, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the opening of a new storefront. Located in a landmarked SoHo building dating back to the 1820’s, the new shop is Sabah’s fifth permanent location and marks an evolution of the brand’s New York City presence.
Opened in May 2022, Sabah New York can be found on the corner of Bleecker and Crosby Streets. The 1,600-square-foot space takes inspiration from caravanserai, traditional roadside inns along the Silk Road intended to give travelers a place to rest and socialize. Handcrafted oak benches and shelving provide a rustic place for people and products to sit, while rugs and other textiles imbue the space with a lived-in feeling of warmth. A bar serving complimentary tea, coffee, and cocktails furthers the connection between the Sabah of today and the caravanserai—places of culture, community, and commerce.
Founded in 2013 by owner Mickey Ashmore, the original East Village Sabah drew inspiration from Ashmore’s years of living in Istanbul. For the new location, Ashmore once again thought back to his time in the Turkish city—specifically to his friend and former REX Architecture designer Ishtiaq Jabir Rafiuddin (Ish for short). Together, the two friends talked about the idea of what Sabah New York should be until those ideas landed on paper and, eventually, in the real world.
To read more about Sabah and for an interview with the owner and designer visit aninteriormag.com.
