As New York Fashion Week kickstarts (September 4 –11) we reveal all the hotspots every fashionista in the world should have in their designer travel map. For some serious shopping, momentous museums and the best dining on the earth, New York City is your one-stop destination.
UPTOWN
If you want the glamour and grandeur of NYC then we suggest you suite-it-up at the St Regis New York. The St Regis New York opened its iconic doors in 1904 and has been a Manhattan institution ever since. The iconic hotel has recently gone through a multi million-dollar refurbishment that sees the century-old building as good as new. A stay at the St Regis New York would not be complete without a visit to the King Cole Bar & Salon by John Deluchie, which was the birthplace of the Red Snapper aka the Bloody Mary.
If you want to lay your head somewhere a little more contemporary, head to Madison Avenue’s The Surrey. If you’re lucky you may get one of the rooms with a Central Park view. What’s best about this hotel is that you are just a hop and a skip away from all the shopping. There’s also a glass of bubbles on arrival, which makes checking in fun.
Museum Central
The Met, Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Whitney and Guggenheim are all a stone’s throw from each other and you have to pay homage to them all. Our suggestion would be to do The Met and the Guggenheim one morning and MOMA and the Whitney the next, and viola, you would have visited the country’s most loved museums.
BUY BUY
The three B’s Bergdorf’s, Barneys and Bloomies are all uptown and well worth a shop. You won’t see a more beautiful shoe salon in the world than that at Bergdorf Goodman and their Céline bag counter stocks the most exquisite luggage bags in every exotic skin you can imagine. Another very important B is Blahnik and their boutique on 53rd street will set your heart (and purse) on fire.
A couple of blocks east is the famed Madison Avenue. The most beautiful boutique award has to go to Ralph Lauren Women’s and Home flagship store (888 Madison Avenue). With its winding staircases, secret rooms and homewares, it’s easy to spend the better part of an entire day trying on a Ricky or, if your lucky enough, choosing Art Deco-inspired furniture for your Upper East Side pied à terre.
Another must for shopping is the American institution, J Crew. There is nothing not to love about this brand, and the store on Fifth Avenue is open late for last minute must-haves.
Park It
During the summer months Central Park is alive by day and night. You can go running, watch a play or take a tour, but what’s important is that you just go as it is the heart and soul of the Big Apple.
Eat, Drink And Be Merry
If chic eats is what fuels your appetite, Sant Ambroeus (1000 Madison Avenue) is the place for you. Expect to see ladies who lunch, models with their banker boyfriends and NYC’s fashion set on parade.
If you want something a little more low-key but equally as fabulous, it’s only a quick walk to the Mark Hotel (Madison avenue at 77th street), which houses the Mark Bar. Kick back with the locals while sipping an aperitif. On your way out, stop by the teeny tiny Assouline book store (rumoured to be the smallest in the world), which sells Slim Aarons photography books a plenty.
DOWNTOWN
Sleep In
In the heart of the Meat Packing district is the The Standard High Line. Without a doubt the coolest hotel Downtown, as such it can seem a little frosty at reception at times. If you can get past this your stay here will be one to remember. The views of the Hudson are phenomenal and it has the very best bar in Manhattan – The Standard Bar. Located on the 18th floor be sure to be wearing your Manolos. Book before you fly to avoid disappointment and get there for a sundowner. An intoxicating mix of fantastic views, live jazz and beautiful people make this bar the place to be.
Eat Me
French brasserie Balthazar (80 Spring Street) is popular for reasons other than its celeb clientele – the food is beyond good and the pomme frittes should be ordered in twos. Make sure if you go to be ready to watch out for the world’s most famous at every turn.
If your appetite calls for something a little more kale and quinoa-like, The Butcher’s Daughter has all the salads and smoothies a clean eater could ask for. Don’t let the rustic white façade fool you, this place is for the impossibly cool 20-something set. Taylor Swift and BFF Karlie Kloss take the corner table when juicing together.
Street Style
Take a leisurely walk down Bleeker Street and you’ll find everything from people getting their make-up done at Nars to literature-fanatics shopping for books at Marc Jacobs book store, Book Marc. When the weather is good, the streets are often flooded with music, trendy crowds and festivals, which make this street the most popular in Downtown.
In The Market
If organic living is the way for you and you love to bring foodie bits home, walk the Union Square Green Market. Fresh fruits and veg line the stalls with a whole lot of cheese, honey and cookies, which all hail from Upstate New York.
In The House
If you’re a member then great, if not, find someone who is (let’s not forget what happened to Samantha in SATC season six, episode 10) as the roof top at Soho House is the only place to be if you are in NYC this summer. There is a pool, a view and the most influential crowd in the city. Huge shades and even bigger wallets are always welcome.
On Broadway
West Broadway has all the high street shopping to satiate even the most experienced shoppers appetite. The Uniqlo store just off Spring Street has 100 dressing rooms and 50 cash registers to make your high street heist an enjoyable one. Also check out Top Shop (practically next door) while you’re there.
MID TOWN
If You Have Spare Time…
Spend a day in Midtown. The shopping isn’t as great but some of the sights are. Go early as peak season means longer queues and shorter tempers.
Rockefeller Centre
Whether you’re a 30 Rock fan or not, you must pay this place a visit. With its iconic building and plenty of places to sit and people watch, take a trip and you won’t be disappointed. rockefellercenter.com
The Campbell Apartment 15 Vanderbuilt Avenue (enter via Grand Cental station between 42nd and 43rd streets)
If all the sightseeing has taken its toll and you need well-earned refreshment, the Prohibition Punch and The Campbell Apartment is just the trick. This hidden bar is upstairs and out of site at the Grand Central station and is frequented by visitors and locals alike who come to drink the signature cocktail while partying in this very private room.
The Empire State Building
New York has the most famous skyline in the world, so stick it out in the queue to get to the top of this historical Art Deco building. As well as being a popular spot for movies – An Affair To Remember, Kramer Vs Kramer and King Kong all have scenes here – the 360-degree views offer panoramas as far Brooklyn, Long Island, New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty. It’s an icon that can’t be missed.
Images: 123RF, Flickr/confidentjohn, Flickr/sagriffin305, Flickr/decafinata, Flickr/la citta vita, Flickr/mike gl, Flickr/wilson rivera, Flickr/mattk1979, Flickr/star5112, Michael Piazza, Nikolas Koenig, Thomas Loof
