WHERE TO SPOT OFF-DUTY MODELS DURING NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
New York Fashion Week is upon us. Whether you’re in the city this week for the festivities or are visiting New York shortly, here are my top fashion-week-approved spots to stay, dine and play.
STAY
The High Line Hotel
The High Line Hotel located in Chelsea, is probably one of the closest and certainly the hottest hotel near Moynihan Station, one of NYFW’s newest locations. The 1865 red-brick building is a converted dormitory with original stained glass and pined floors. The hotel has kept a certain olde-worlde boho charm. Grab one of the best coffees in the city at their coffee shop Intelligientsia before heading out, and walk down the High Line to the Meatpacking District where you can enjoy a visit at the Whitney, or great people watching.
The Smyth
A personal favorite, The recently refurbished Smyth Hotel by Thompson was designed by the impossibly cool Gachot Studios. Located in TriBeCa a short 7 minute cab ride to Clarkson Square, NYFW’s second new location, it’s the perfect place to be to get away from the hustle and bustle and wind down in their den-like lobby—the perfect spot to making you feel at home away from home.
The Marlton
The Marlton is a fashion crowd favorite and it’s not hard to understand why: the decor is a mix of fashionable cool and Parisian chic with a fascinating historic past. Before it’s fashionable makeover, the Marlton hosted bohemian beatnick notables such as Jack Kerouac and Julie Andrews. Newly restored by Sean Macpherson in 2012, the Marlton kept its bohemian spirit. Primely located in Greenwich Village, in between the two NYFW locations.
5W 8th Street, Greenwich Village
DINE
Margaux
An easy choice since it’s located inside The Marlton, Margaux is a must whether you’re a guest of the hotel or not. Its American diner-meets-French bistro flair is sure to leave an impression. It keeps the same refined boho vibe as the hotel other common areas.
5W 8th Street, Greenwich Village
Dirty French
Located inside my favorite hotel in the Lower East Side, The Ludlow Hotel‘s Dirty French restaurant is part of the Major Food Group (see other favorites Santina and ZZ’s Clam Bar). There’s a swarm of impossibly cool models bustling in and out of their doors every time I visit. The adjacent lobby bar is also the perfect spot for a night cap.
180 Ludlow Street, Lower East Side
Mr Fong
If Tory Burch says it’s the place to be, you better believe it. Mr Fong is the newest hot spot for in-the-know New Yorkers and off-duty models. The place is more of a bar than a restaurant, but it does serve small Chinese food bar bites. It’s unassumingly located in gritty Chinatown and yes, there is a Mr Fong—the realtor who found the location for the bar’s owners.
PLAY
The Whitney Museum
Feel like squeezing in a little cultural excursion into your trip? The New Whitney is without a doubt the place to visit. The Renzo Piano-designed building alone is worth the trip, along with the impressive exhibitions of course. Stop by Santina for a cocktail or two after your visit, they’re delicious.
99 Gansevoort Street, Meatpacking District
Mother of Pearl
Feeling like an afternoon cocktail? Head to the East Village to Mother of Pearl where you’ll feel transported into a Polynesian Tiki parallel universe. Order a Shark Eye just because of how cool it looks (and it’s quite yummy too).
Apartment by the Line
What’s a trip to NYC without squeezing in some good old interior design shopping? The Apartment by the Line mixes fashion and décor in a gorgeous SoHo loft… Everything in the apartment is for sale, from the one-of-a-kind Moroccan rugs to the clothing in the walk-in-wardrobe.
76 Greene Street, SoHo (3rd Floor)
Have more suggestions for NYFW approved hot spots? I’d love to hear them! Share them in the comments below.