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You may not be able to pronounce it, but Gesamkunstwerk is a boutique you should know about.

Nestled on a corner across Houston Street on the Lower East Side, this boutique voted “Best New Indie Shop” by TimeOut NY is a go to spot for locally made, conversation worthy pieces. Cooper Union grad Alexandra “Allie” Kuzyk mans the store most days and her background in visual merchandising and design makes her an expert in spotting the “next big thing”. The Local sat down with Allie to discuss why she chose her store’s unpronounceable name, where she goes out in the East Village and why she chose the Lower East Side as her shop’s home.

Where did you come up with the name Gesamkunstwerk?

When the shop originally opened in the summer of 2010, it was both a
workshop and a retail boutique. So my partner and I thought of
gesamtkunstwerk, a German word meaning “the complete art work,” because we
thought it captured the essence of what we were trying to accomplish in the
space. Now we poke fun at the name because it’s a mouthful, so we go by
“Werk” and our website is cantspellit.com.

Allison Hertzberg Bracelets at Werk.

What’s your background, did you see yourself as a store owner?

I had started a jewelry line, Little Dipper Castings, in December of 2008
and that Spring and Summer I really focused on selling locally at handmade markets across the city. I was mostly in Union Square but sold at the Brooklyn Flea and at various street fairs across Manhattan. But it was at those markets that I met an entire crew of talented designers and artists making and selling things here in the city which inspired me to have a permanent space to feature such like minded people. The reason Werk appeals to me is that it becomes a community space for working designers in the city. Everyday I talk with someone who is somewhere along their creative process and excited about what they’re doing – that’s what makes my job great.

Why did you choose the LES as a place for your shop?

It was funny, the space more so found us. I was walking with my business
partner, at the time just a friend from school, to lunch in the LES and we saw this space a few blocks from her apartment. She said she was interestedin it as a painting studio, and I said a retail store would be much better. But the LES is the perfect spot for us just because it’s such a vibrant community. There are a lot of great galleries and other young designers who are opening up spaces because the rent is still relatively cheap. So it’s become a hot spot for young designers and new concepts.

Being a student at Cooper Union, what were your favorite places in the East Village ?

Because I was a student here, I can tell you every cheap thing there is to eat in the East Village (think $1 slices and $3 falafels) but that’s about it. I have spent many a night at Scratcher Bar on Fifth Street because of the great ambiance, but not until recently (now that I’m off a student budget) have I taken advantage of the great places to eat and drink in the neighborhood.

Allison Hertzberg Necklaces at Werk.

What trends are you loving for summer?

My wardrobe is various shades of white, black and beige so I am thrilled about these vibrant colors I’ve been seeing. Electric blues, oranges, bright pinks — they just feel really appropriate in this sticky hot city weather. And a lot of it is incorporated in crochet work and embroidered or woven textiles. We have these great bags in from Colombia where my friend just got married, all handwoven by the Wayuu tribe, and they’re covered in these gorgeous geometric prints in reds and pinks and yellows. They’re beautiful and they make my super neutral outfits more seasonally exciting.

Allison Hertzberg is owner and head designer at Accessories by ASH