New York-based fashion retailer Flying Solo has added its second standalone store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. Spread across 8,000 sq. ft., the new location joins an existing Manhattan outpost further north on Broadway. Conceived to serve as a platform for young designers, Flying Solo hosts 110 brands between both stores, WWD reports.

As the old-fashioned brick-and-mortar retail model continues to struggle and legendary stores like Barneys filed for bankruptcy last year, new retail models that combine membership and the sharing economy, like Flying Solo, where brands pay a flat membership fee and maintain all the profits from retail sales, have become more prevalent in fashion and retail. Flying Solo has had a slow and steady rise to notoriety, being consistently featured in magazines and publications such as Vogue, Elle, and The NYTimes while attracting celebrities like Cardi B and Gigi Hadid.

or an independent designer operating in a world of megabrands like Amazon, Zara, Nike and H&M, an old maxim may hold the key to survival: United we are stronger.At least that was the thinking Elizabeth Solomeina applied when she was struggling to find a way to show and sell the jewelry she designs without spending huge amounts of money on rent or outsourcing her work to various boutiques.“

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NEW YORK — If Flying Solo, a 2,000-square-foot store where 35 apparel, footwear, accessories and jewelry designers share the costs and chores of running a retail business sounds like a Russian cooperative, it’s no accident.Elizabeth Solomeina, who founded Flying Solo, at 224 Mulberry Street in NoLIta here, created the store in the spirit of a co-op, where each designer is required to work at the store one day a week.

While bigger players such as Macy’s Inc. are showing signs of strain — the retailer this week announced it will close 28 stores — and Barneys New York is in the throes of liquidation sales, independent downtown retailer Flying Solo is soaring with a new 8,000-square-foot store at 382 West Broadway.

The Copper Room, 5000 sq ft., at 382 W Broadway is Flying Solo's more private location for press, VIP and celebrity appointments and stylist pulls. In addition the large lower level serves as a co-working space for Flying Solo designers to fully utilize.

The immediate neighbors for 382 W Broadway are Gucci, Moschino, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior.

With consumer spending on apparel increasing online, Internet giant Amazon muscling its way into the fashion arena, and unmotivated Millennials and Baby Boomers moving fashion lower on their list of priorities, it would seem to be an inauspicious time to open a new flagship. Not for Elizabeth Solomeina and Daniel Silverstain.

The Knockturnal: You just opened a new space called the Copper Room, how is this different to your other retail space?

Elizabeth Solomeina: Yes, this is our second location so it is mainly for press pulls, celebrity clients and private appointments as it’s away from the public eye. Downstairs we have an office space where designers can work, collaborate and have meetings with clients.

It all begins with an idea.Nothing gives me more joy than to bring you yet another success story from Flying Solo. I first featured them almost two years ago at their original store location in Mulberry Street. They had about 20 designers and it was all hands on deck as they came together to make one of the founders, Elizabeth Solomeina’s vision come to life. To create a hub for new designers to showcase their collections

The opening of Flying Solo’s second location “The Copper Room” is a proven success with their expansion in industry networks and major clients like Cardi B, Gigi Hadid, Alicia Keys to name a few. Through their network of 300+ fashion and celebrity stylists, Flying Solo is expert at top tier magazine placements such as Elle, Vogue, L’Official, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, etc.