French Dressing

“I came to the U.S. from France on an exchange program as a modern dancer,” Dominique Simonneaux muses. Now the owner of Les Petits Chapelais in New York City (named after a hamlet in her native Brittany), she shifted from dancing to crafting baby clothes with her fashion designer sister when she was expecting her first child. She began showing her creations to boutiques in the city, and when an owner revealed that his shop was relocating, Simonneaux sublet the space in 2001. Nestled in Manhattan’s Soho shopping district, the boutique’s shabby-chic décor—with tin ceilings and exposed bricks—provides the perfect setting for its stylish array of apparel for children ages newborn to 12 years. Simonneaux favors European brands and lesser-known designers, and after nearly 15 years, her eclectic approach continues to appeal. But it’s about more than just selling clothes for the savvy shop owner: It’s about trusting her gut (rather than following trends) and creating a place where families can gather. As she puts it, “My grandfather used to say that he would pay more for baguette at a bakery where he felt a connection, and I always remember that.”