Very kind owner, unusual items, including long quilted coats from Uzbekistan, designer items. Small but a nice experience

This shop was originally on West Broadway. My best friend and I used to go in often and drool over everything. One of Soho's finest places if you were a lover of exotica, along with Craft Caravan and Jacques Carcanagues and Knobkerry. My observations come from that time. Luxor was a very mysterious-aloof- woman with a tiny face painted Kabuki white back then, did not speak to anyone if she could help it, and then did not give out with much. If you wanted something, she might say it wasn't for sale. But she never interfered with your leisurely going through the stuffed racks, nor did she follow you around the place. The amazing stock -dresses, robes, caftans, babouches, trousers, kurtas, tunics- was sourced from places like India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Egypt, Turkey, Nepal, Japan, Yemen, Morocco, and many pieces were museum quality; rare, exquisite one of a kind things. The most delicious silk scarves you can imagine from India, almost too beautiful or fragile to wear. Fantastic jewelry from the same places. And way in the back of the undecorated, unstyled sun filled space was her desk with a row of oils in tiny bottles. Unnamed scents, likely Moroccan or Indian, rich, thick and heavy, think blends of black musc, ouds, patchouli, ambergris, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, champaca, et al. Perhaps you might acquire one of them or perhaps not (nothing in the store was priced although I seem to recall an astonishing and very old shaman's robe from Nepal hung on a wall with a $1000 price tag) if you were too intimidated to ask the woman with the Berber face adornments of blue dots and red markings. I have not been to its latest iteration. But nice to see she is still alive and well. read more

Warm and inviting, got to sit with Jeffrey to chat for a while. The selection is gorgeous. I plan on coming back! read more

Must go! The owner and shop are magical. Amazing finds. Iconic New York shopping and experience.

I am so excited to get in to see Luxor this coming Friday I am in NYC just for the day and have two big events coming up that I'm sure I'll find a treasure to wear! I always find things that get comments every time I wear them. Luxor is so helpful putting things together I would never find without her! I encourage you to stop in and expect the unexpected! read more

This was such a fun fun place to shop and the owner is incredibly fun and wonderful. I must've spent $300 and this was 10 years ago.

Eclectic, eccentric, fun, out of the ordinary shopping experience hailing back to the SoHo of the 70s. A gem. Interesting, one of a kind women's wear. read more

Albeit the fact that I have not been at the shop for years, I agree with folks who say Paracelso has amazing clothing, scarves etc. Before I went to Italy 26 years ago, I spent quite a sum of money here. I admit clothing not cheap. Also, Luxor does not do returns, or at least that was the case way back when. I think that Luxor's makeup may turn some folks away but she is helpful. There was so much to see, so plan on spending some time here. Happy shopping. read more

I was so overwhelmed by all the beauty within that I did not spend the time I should have. My next trip to New York I will go back and I will let something find me to buy. It is a work of art created from works of art read more

I love Luxor's store ! For over 20 years I passed by her very eccentric (in my opinion) store and the amazing clothing and fabrics colors and unconventional displays of the clothing got my attention and instantly became a fan. Couldn't afford anything but always stopped by. Yesterday I got a beautiful scarf and got to talk a bit more with the creator and owner (Biancca) Luxor Tavella ... she just wanted me to feel at home and to try everything love her! Stop by and check out her master pieces read more

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Absolutely great! I went there last time in 2014 and I bought an amazing black and orange dress with big Japanese writing which I love and I still wear it. Some nice patchwork trousers, two pair of them made by young stylists, so colourful I just love them and I wear them all the time in the summertime and I hope to come back in nyc sometime in the future I am not going to miss this wonderful shop for sure read more

I've passed by the West Broadway boutique for years but never went inside. Last week I noticed that this strange boutique moved to Broome street and the door was open. I did not go in at that moment but went to another boutique where I tried on really ugly, shapeless clothes. After that terrible experience, I decided to walk into this strange boutique. I really didn't know what to expect. I had read a number of reviews prior that said that she was a magician. I told her that I needed a wardrobe overhaul. After hours of trying on outfits, I wound up buying a ton of stuff. I want to return and pick up a few of the items that I put back when I realized that the bill was half of what I paid for my first car. I haven't thought about fashion in years but it felt so nice to work with someone to come up with a wardrobe. Some of her picks were outrageous however after a half hour, I was curating my own looks. Luxor gives you suggestions and brings merchandise, however leaves it to the customer to discover her style. I really liked her hands off approach. Everything I bought was Japanese style- Miyake like dresses and jackets, Japanese style funky trousers. All the labels are cut off. This boutique is very expensive for consignment but it's worth it for working with someone to discover the right pieces and get ideas on how to create a wardrobe. I really like the way I feel in the clothes that I purchased. read more

Paracelso - Jacket and Dress purchased at Paracelso. - Women's Clothing Near Me - New York, New York

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This astonishing clothing store is full of one-of-a kind gems. An enormous inventory of spectacular pieces from around the world have recently come out of deep storage. Simply extraordinary. Hours are unusual, mid afternoon to evening. Not cheap, but highly recommended. read more

Beware for those who seek normalcy, this place will make you feel uncomfortable. For those who love the mystical, magical, and adventurous souls of the world who enjoy surprise and delight with eccentricity, this is your haven, dear free spirit. Go in because you're curious, even if you aren't prepared to buy. If you get to meet the store owner, you'll be one of the lucky ones who have a fabulous New York City story to take home with you. Most items will be starting at $150. Know that going in and don't be shocked. This shop is a curation of unique and hard to find clothing, some of it previously worn, some of it never worn. All selected with great love. read more

Stumbled into this place accidentally when I was meandering SoHo. When I went in on a Sunday morning, I thought I had walked into some deserted attic. Clothes and trinkets and paintings strewn everywhere. Newspaper clippings taped onto the walls. Basically the opposite of a typical, clean, sterile SoHo boutique. I was a bit taken aback since it was dark inside and nobody seemed to be in the store. I peered around, trying to make out what this "mess" was supposed to be. Vintage shop? Art gallery? I honestly did not have the faintest idea. Part scared and part confused, I began to back out of the store. That is, until I heard her. Just as I took a step back, a quiet "hello" came out from the front corner. All of a sudden, a tiny four foot lady materialized out of a massive pile of clothing. Her face was chalked in white makeup and had these mystical blue streaks and dots across her forehead. She had this wizened look, and her eyes seemed to pierce right through you. Needless to say, I was extremely taken aback. My shock must have manifested itself quite obviously on my face, because after asking me how I was doing, where I was from, and how old I was, she commented, "You look so young and naive at heart." That also surprised me (people normally think I look older than I am). After making the smallest of small talks with her (I was still super freaked out), I shuffled further into her store to look around. She asked me what my style was, and I tried to verbalize it, noting that I liked "simplicity" and disliked "loud colors." She quickly pointed out a dress in the corner, saying it would be good for me and my figure. The dress had no tag (almost all of her pieces have their tags removed), so I could not figure out where it was from or what size it was. But I decided to trust her and try it on, because that's what you do when a little lady in interesting makeup suggests for you to try the dress. And it looked amazing. Somehow, she knew that it would work with me. I was astounded. I honestly loved the dress so much. I didn't buy it then, because it was above my budget for the day (I had already surpassed my budget in several other SoHo shops that morning). She simply told me the price (not sure where she got it from), and it was $125. After that, I continued on checking out the rest of the store, sifting through all of the wonderful pieces she had curated. Oh, and by the way, her name is Luxor. I found this out by reading some of the newspaper clippings on the wall. She is a famous fashion icon in the city - a bohemian wonder. Apparently she's worked with celebrities and artists like Andy Warhol. With that knowledge, I felt even more in awe. She's kind of a legend. Wow. I talked to her some more, and she's had her little boutique for over 40 years. She noted how she's seen SoHo change over time, and how currently everything is being replaced by high end luxury brands (makes me sad almost). Her pieces are like art (something she said, and I love it). Curated with love, and from all over the world. I asked her where she got the dress I liked, and she answered enigmatically, "Someone made it." It might all be one huge rip off. That's very possible, and I'm totally aware. But I want to believe in the magic of the store. There's something so alluring about it. About her. I already know I want to come back. These pieces are wonderful and for the most part, all one of a kind. These are statement pieces. The kinds of pieces that can be the subject of a conversation. And even if they aren't, you could always tell the story about how you met Luxor. read more

This store is easy to miss so look out for the newspaper ads in front of store. Lots of eclectic and rare non-label unique pieces made custom for the store owner are in this store. Almost everything fits much larger body types, too, because the store had a lot of silk or crumply dresses made to adjust to different sizes. Be patient and you will find hidden treasures of contemporary and avant garde womenswear when you search deeper into the back of the store. I am puzzled why the pieces do not have the labels. I can recognize a few designer lilltith without the attached labels. The prices for all the clothes are average and expected for the fashion capital of country. read more

Wandered into this place while killing time before dinner. I quickly realized this little haphazard boutique was something special. You are greeted immediately by flowy, Japanese whimsy in every form, along with beautiful fabrics in avant-garde shapes. All the labels are cut off, so if you are someone looking for a streetwear look or a salient brand name, this is not the place for you. However, I suspect some of these items are vintage Japanese ready to wear, along with many deadstock items like 70's-80's Sangam Imports pieces in beautiful condition. A woman whose name I learned was Luxor from the newspaper clippings adorning the walls, blending in with the kerfuffle of fabrics that make up the shop, greeted me and immediately approached me, complimenting my outfit and pointing out a few pieces on the nearest rack that were inspired by the 90's Yamamoto unisex line. She won my heart quickly, as did the older British gentleman in the back who I presume was her husband and co shop-owner. I ended up buying a really beautiful deep red oversized piece, which Luxor encouraged me to wear over my long wool winter coat and it looked incredible (I would have never thought of styling it this way and got many compliments on it when I left the shop). She showed me a few other pieces and demonstrated a range of ways to style and pin each item, giving each more personality and life. She isn't overbearing, and you can totally do your own thing, I just became instantly charmed. I found the experience at the shop just that- more of a journey through fashion and time than a transaction. Highly recommend it, I get why Andy Warhol liked it so much ;). read more

a dear, legendary friend of mine (a MUPPET) who is a native New Yorker (for 74 years) brought me to meet Luxor last night at her boutique / atelier Paracelso in Soho. I was amazed by her curation and the unique choices of fabrics she had strewn and draped throughout her space. her diminutive stature allows her HUGE precious personality, presence and POWER to emanate in such a way that her directives feel like soft inner promptings. Luxor brings to your attention pieces you may NEVER look at yet were literally hand made for you in exotic locations by one of a kind avant-garde Japanese designers. i left with three pieces that literally open up realms of possibility within my wardrobe. a genius experience to behold. read more

This is actually a clothing store, and could even be considered a textile gallery. The owner, Luxor Tavella has been in this spot for over 30 years, collecting, displaying and finding homes for her gorgeous collection of one-of-a-kind clothing. I was very satisfied by the selection and personal service I received. She picked out several outfits for me to try on, and not only did everything fit, it looked GREAT. Run don't walk to this great shop. read more

Paracelso, the art installation: five stars. Paracelso, the clothing store: four stars. Owner Luxor is truly committed to the art of fashion, and this place is like her studio. The space is filled with clothes and knick-knacks and random furniture that give it a garage-sale feel, but she's careful and deliberate about how items are draped, hung, and folded. She knows exactly where everything is, which is quite a feat given that this place can't have been cleaned out in decades. I'm always inspired by her fluency in what I'll take liberties to call the art of self-expression through textiles, though she sometimes seems better at expressing herself onto shoppers than helping them express themselves (not a problem if you share her taste, which seems to tend toward the Japanese). She has no employees as far as I can tell, which is fine with me: she's lovely to talk to, even as she tries to sell you anything and everything she can possibly imagine you wearing (some pretty wacky sh*t, sometimes). Ask her about her trip to Egypt, how she changed her name to Luxor, her minglings with famous designers... true or not, her stories are an entertaining backstory for her unlikely collection. She sells hand-picked items from what looks like a huge variety of mysterious sources, some of which may actually warrant the hefty price tag---er, price declaration by her (there are no tags)---including items she alleges she found on trips to Pakistan, Egypt, etc., etc.; but some look straight out of Chico's or J. Jill. Problem is, she cuts off the tags so you can't tell... try negotiating; she may budge a little, otherwise stop in to enjoy the textures and stories, and take home not clothes but some inspiration for your next yard-sale or thrift-store spree. So, torn between a four- and a five-star rating, I averaged and rounded up---this place is such a gem I'm willing to be ripped off every once in a while if that helps it survive. read more

Paracelso - Women's Clothing Near Me - New York, New York

Fascinating free draped approach to the shop. The owner is a charming reminder of a world that's vanishing under a tsunami of boring, homogenized sameness. Go with your other half. I assure you she will find something one of a kind that she will love. read more

This is a unique shopping experience to say the least. I accidentally wandered into Paracelso years ago and received the surprise of my life! If you love clothes, this is one stop shopping. Luxor is so helpful and has a sense of what works on my body type--not to mention how she keeps my husband entertained as well. Every time I'm in NY, I make shopping there a priority. But I'm warning you, give yourself a couple of hours to sift through all it has to offer you. You won't be disappointed. Marcia Agema read more

At first glance, all appears chaos ... but in fact this makes shopping at Paracelso a 'treasure hunt' experience - the most enjoyable shopping experience I've had in years. In fact my friend and I went back three times - lured by another chance to meet the bohemian owner, Luxor, and perhaps her towering artist husband ... and of course to see if we could dig out another 'find'. Great value for stylish and individual pieces too...A memory as well as a purchase. read more

Bought some unique style piece clothing here over 5 years ago and went back in today on a visit to NYC. Owner is a super cool interesting lady with eclectic taste. She helps you when you are trying things on. Love this place! read more

Paracelso is my absolute favorite place to buy unique, fabulous clothes - a treasure hunt! I always shop there any time I'm in New York! Luxor is the most delightful shop owner! I adore her! I'm on my way there again next week - can't wait!!!! read more

It's my first time to write a review though. Luxor as the most stylish New Yorker who was born in Milano Italy, which gave her the sense of beauty and some city chic as well. She knows how to design, how to wear it in a different elegant way. This place is very NYC style, at the mean time, you still see the shadow of Europe. I love all the paintings of this place, as the life of manufacturing, it really is the time to go back to hand made. When I came out the shop, it was just raining outside, I saw the dark light, the yellow car, the restaurants, that was sooo Woody Allen. Everything was just right, BTW, I always love Italian!!! read more

I have passed by this shop so many times and was intrigued by the window. The effluvia of fabrics is quite enticing. I finally went in and so glad that I did. Luxor was as described. Amazingly helpful without up selling me at all. So much to look at and go through and so different from anything you will find anywhere else. I availed myself of some cotton Japanese trousers, an amazing white cotton shirt and a scarf that is more like a piece of art. I found the prices reasonable for such carefully curated merchandise and the fabrics are to be treasured. I look forward to going back again. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Whatever will I find next? read more

My friend and I have been to New York several times in the last year. We stumbled upon this store unexpectedly the last time we were here. I have to say that walking into the store you are a little apprehensive at all of the clothing laying around in the dim lit store. Then appears this little 4 foot woman who comes to you with a smile on her face welcoming you into her store. The first thing you notice about this woman is her make up. It is not like anything I have ever seen. I have to say at first I was a little skeptical about what we would find. We talked for a limited time, but found out some very interesting things about her ( her name is Luxor that she has changed) We left not buying anything that trip, but we were in NYC this past week for the Madonna concert and knew we had to go back to visit. When we walked back in and started to look around our friend emerged with the same smile and soft spoken dialect. We again had the most amazing conversation, but this time I walked out the door with a one of a kind unique coat. It was a little more then I would regularly spend, but it was so amazing and looked beautiful.....Perfect for my upcoming Paris trip. I walked out of the door with my new purchase feeling like a true NewYorker......this store is a must see. read more

Paracelso - Women's Clothing Near Me - New York, New York

This is my new favorite boutique! One-of-a-kind shop with one of-a-kind owner! My son discovered this shop with his girlfriend and thought we should stop by. The merchandise was lovely- great fabrics, patterns and COLOR! A truly unique experience. Don't leave Soho without a visit here, even if it's just to meet its charming owner, Luxor! read more

While I linger I watch as others take two steps into Paracelso and become overwhelmed. They must have been on thier way to banana republic or some other ho-hum SoHum spot. The longer you look, the more what you need jumps out at you... begging you, as you pull a piece of fabric that has a magical jacket/blouse/scarf/whatever at the other end. Somehow, Luxor packs this place with iconic styles, first run high fasion, and anything you need for a Great Gatsby party. I've now made this my "must do" stop for each and every trip to NY. I work in the silicon valley, i live out in the country, and this place has something for all aspects of living.....if you dare to take your third step into the shop, and if you care to linger, you will have an iconic, and possibly magical, experience. read more

When all the stores I used to go to closed, I was in despair. The subject came up during my watercolor class and another student suggested Paracelso. I asked if the owner was short--because no one makes decent clothes for short women of a certain age who don't want to wear Talbots--and it turns out that Luxor Tavella, the store owner, is shorter than I am. Entering the store is like entering a movie set. There are dresses and shirts suspended like the sails of a ship. There are no prices . There are no sizes. There are no labels. When we found Luxor sitting in a chair in the back of the store, I told her that I needed summer clothes and I had to have sleeves. She unearthed one thing after another. I left with two dresses, a long vest, two shirts and a tunic. Luxor is wonderful because she tells you how to wear them. A friend who was with me, and is a tall, willowy Scandinavian, also found plenty to tempt her. A real New York Experience. read more

Once discovered you will be like a homing pigeon....you'll return to LuxorTavella's stylish fabric art installation of a retail shop again & again. You will be reminded of a time past when shop owners actually gave a damn about service & had knowledge of the products they sold. Luxor & her very English artist hubby (who may or may not be there) quietly & lovingly offer up her goodies for your pleasure. If you are unsure ask Luxor for guidance...you'll end up looking & feeling new, cutting edge & basically fabulous. Maryalice O read more

A friend had suggested I visit Paracelso saying "they sell stuff like you wear." I finally got there. It's everything the other reviewers have said. How lovely to find a place that stands out among the sameness, with unique finds, yes-pricier than elsewhere but you stand out with these pieces, and a most colorful and articulate owner who does indeed know what's in her store, and where it is. I didn't intend to buy at this price, but recognized the terrific style of the jacket I purchased, and also did to commemorate the experience and know I'll be back! read more

Fun place to go spend some time looking. It was neat and they are very nice. I found some really nice works of art. I will go back.