Flying Solo: Redefining Retail Through Community, Creativity, and Collaboration
Story / Bayr Ubushi
Photos / Courtesy of Flying Solo
In recent years, the retail industry has faced wave after wave of disruptionâfrom the pandemic-driven shutdowns of physical stores to the latest round of tariffs threatening to make operations even more challenging. While major retailers may have the cushion to survive, small emerging brands often struggle to find their place in this fiercely competitive market.
Nine years ago, a group of six independent designers came together to challenge the traditional retail model. Instead of competing against each other, they chose to collaborateâand thus, Flying Solo was born. What started as a modest boutique on Mulberry Street in New York has since evolved into a powerful retail platform and thriving creative community. Today, Flying Solo represents over 200 designers across its flagship stores in New York and Paris, offering a bold and inclusive space for independent talent.
âWhen we first stepped into the space, it was just an empty concrete box,â recalls Elizabeth Solomeina, one of Flying Soloâs co-founders. âWe had no budget to hire contractors, so we had to learn everything ourselvesâfrom basic electrical work to building clothing racks out of metal pipes. Painting the walls was probably the easiest task.â But this spirit of collaboration made the impossible possible. One designer brought chairs from home, another sourced tables, and together, they transformed the space. In July 2016, the first Flying Solo boutique officially opened its doors in SoHoâat a time when real estate prices in the area were skyrocketing.
The concept proved so successful that within a year, the collective outgrew its original space and opened a larger flagship location on West Broadway, taking over a former Roberto Cavalli store. That same year, Flying Solo made its debut on the New York Fashion Week runway, injecting a fresh and disruptive energy into a scene traditionally dominated by giants like Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren.
In the beginning, few took the new collective seriously. âThe fashion world can be harsh and dismissive,â said one co-founder. âBut over time, people began to recognize that Flying Solo was becoming a real force.â Nine years later, the collective boasts over 40 runway shows across New York, Paris, Milan, and Miami. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Flying Solo not only survivedâit thrived, opening a second store in New York at a time when legacy retailers like Barneys filed for bankruptcy and Century 21 shuttered.
In 2025, as consumer spending slows amid economic uncertainty, Flying Solo remains forward-looking. The team stays engaged with its audience through dynamic social media content and by spotlighting new talents in fashion. In a digital age where everything feels accessible, Flying Solo customers are seeking something moreâindividuality, self-expression, and creativity. The curated collections in-store help them stand out from the crowd.
As we said earlier, Flying Solo is more than just a retail platformâitâs a community of fashion creatives in NYC. Each month, the team hosts exclusive events for industry professionals including models, photographers, designers, and more. Every gathering is a celebration of fashion, style, and above allâfriendship. These are the values at the heart of Flying Solo.
No two events are the same. One might be a chic holiday dinner, another an intimate rooftop gathering at one of New Yorkâs hottest venues, or even a cozy potluck dinner for local stylists. Flying Solo continues to surprise and delight with each new experience.
Much of this success can be credited to the brandâs in-house PR department, launched a year after the first store opened on Mulberry Street. Initially located in the boutiqueâs copper-toned basementâaffectionately dubbed The Copper Roomâthis space later inspired the name of Flying Soloâs very own PR agency.
Launching the agency wasnât easy. Not everyone understood its importance at the time. But years later, The Copper Room has produced hundreds of editorial shoots, magazine covers, interviews, and moreâearning a reputation as one of New Yorkâs top fashion PR agencies.
Flying Solo has become a powerful example of how friendship, collaboration, and community can build a successful businessâeven during the most challenging times for retail. Itâs not just a store. Itâs a movementâand itâs only getting started.
