How to Explore New York Like the Style Set
Fashion runs deep through the veins of New York. Several times a year, the city springs to life as the global fashion set descends on its streets to seek out the hottest new places to dine, shop and drink. If you’re looking to fit into the sartorial scene – or are keen for some seriously stylish people watching – these are the spots where the on-trend crowd pass the time between runway shows in this fashion capital (and what they wear while they’re doing it).
Where to… eat
Barbuto
It helps that this relaxed Italian eatery is in close proximity to one of the season’s most important venues for runway shows, Industria Superstudio, in New York’s West Village. In its almost 15 years of service, Barbuto has dished up hearty Mediterranean fare to the city’s glitterati across fashion, film and beyond.
775 Washington Street, New York (+1 212 924 9700)
EN Japanese Brasserie
Though Martha Stewart doesn’t frequent the city’s runways as often as she does its kitchens, this sleek eatery is one of her favourites – and her tastebuds are certainly trustworthy. The West Village restaurant has also gained a reputation with fashion royalty such as Karl Lagerfeld and Naeem Khan.
435 Hudson Street, New York (+1 212 647 9196)
Where to… drink
the blond at 11 Howard
Anywhere former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld deems cool enough to host her own soirees is signal enough of a venue’s cultural cachet. Veteran designer Calvin Klein has also been known to wet his whistle in the dimly lit bar.
11 Howard Street, New York (+1 212 235 1111)
Le Coucou
Casual, classic French fare is elevated in more ways than one at this fashion-favoured restaurant and bar. The grand dame herself – Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour – is a regular diner and the bar, adorned with a dramatic chandelier, attracts fashion folk like moths to a flame. In fact, those of us without a significant social following will have trouble gaining entrance after 10pm – the ultimate indicator of hotspot status.
138 Lafayette Street, New York (+1 212 271 4252)
Where to… shop
The Apartment by The Line
Less of a store and more a shoppable home, The Apartment by the Line expresses the uniqueness of the New York style scene with its distinctive approach to display. Everything you see in this almost-functioning apartment is up for sale so you can easily emulate a loft-style space in your own home.
76 Greene Street, New York (+1 917 460 7196)
Totokaelo
Though the original curation of Totokaelo’s designer du jour threads was launched in Seattle, the New York outpost is hardly an inferior version. Housed in a former bank, the sense of cool doesn’t stop at the stock (which includes labels such as Vetements, Rachel Comey and Comme des Garcons). The Bowery building alone is worthy of a poke around – there are four levels to explore and the change rooms used to be bank vaults. Chic.
190 Bowery, New York (+1 844 868 6523)
