During the summer of 2013, I was asked by Judy Gelman if I would be interested in contributing to her upcoming book based on the HBO series "Girls", "The Unofficial Girl's Guide to New York". Without giving it a second thought, I immediately accepted the challenge. My assignment was to tell where the girls would shop, presenting shopping destinations from various Manhattan neighborhoods filmed throughout the show.

Valuing honesty, I wanted to infuse authenticity into the project so I made it a point to acquaint myself with each girl by watching the first two seasons: studying each character's lifestyle, personality and their dress from a social perspective, as well as an economic one. Young women living in the city understand the amount of time that goes into developing a well-planned wardrobe, while still staying within a budget. I have deliberately chosen boutiques run by independent retailers and artists offering fashion that reflects each character's taste in wardrobe so viewers who identify with a particular personality on the show may be introduced to new shopping possibilities.

As the founder of ZTrend, it has always been my mission to highlight interesting and quality shops, reinforcing patronage at artist-run boutiques that support self-employment and American jobs. Unlike large chain stores where prices are low due to sweatshop labor, undesirable working conditions, and where quality is not always a factor, you may end up paying a bit more at the boutiques I have suggested, but you will also find well-made classics that will be in your wardrobe for years to come.

Many thanks to Judy Gelman for the opportunity she has given me to contribute to her latest book, "The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York".