With such an artful approach to men's and women's wear, it's not surprising Assembly's founder began his career in the art world. Greg Armas was at the helm of galleries before opening his store on the Lower East Side in 2008. A namesake line followed in 2012 and a second forward-thinking retail environment in Los Angeles three years later. In addition to their own label, Assembly New York and Los Angeles focus on international and otherwise independent designers who maintain an emphasis on craft and design as an ethos, regardless of trend.