Jetting across the country to NYC for our version of fashion week gave us the chance to check out a few places we’ve been dying to visit. After a pit stop at the High Line Hotel to check in and drop our bags. We took a moment to admire the tranquility that would be our landing pad for the next 48 hours - the hotel is situated on the grounds of the General Theological Seminary dating back to 1817 with the one-time dormitory rooms being transformed into guest suites boasting, you guessed it, a blend of vintage Americana and European style by uber NY design duo Roman and Williams.
High Line's cozy lobby.
Sleep coma.
Simple symmetry gets me every time.
AD representing SEA in NYC w/his Ebbets Field cap.
First stop on our agenda was to drop in and meet the folks at Fine and Dandy. A little gem of a place in Hell’s Kitchen tucked beneath the lower half of a classic New York building. It was exactly as expected. Filled in every nook and cranny with ties, scarves, vests, pocket squares and everything else needed to top off a dapper and dandy gentleman. It was great to talk with co-owner Matt and get my eyes (and hands) on all the product in person, which of course led to buying more than expected, all of which is now in the shop!
F&D's shopfront nestled on a quiet neighborhood street.
Gentleman's reading nook.
Their curated mix of vintage and new cleverly displayed.
Matt & I going over my selections...decisions, decisions.
Not to overshadow the product itself, but the best part is always getting to meet people you do business with. It’s such a great feeling, especially when they have a similar story and a shared interests. Matt and Enrique started Fine and Dandy by doing their first pop up shop at The Blind Barber in the East Village featuring their made in New York wares. Several pop-ups later they eventually opened their brick in mortar shop in November 2012. Similar to me, both gentlemen had prior careers, but the urge to do something they’ve always wanted to do won out and they’ve made this tiny shop a big success. In an amazingly short time, they have become a go to source for many magazines, editors and stylized gents around the globe. Kudos guys!
A great dinner accompanied by a few glasses of vino at ABC Kitchen topped off a long travel day. We made our way back to the High Line and retired to our cozy bed (avoiding with all our strength the epic mini bar snacks...ok, maybe we shared a chocolate bar) to rest up for the next day of adventure.
I've always loved all the mix matched lighting at ABC.
ABC pizza: squash, cherry tomatoes, chorizo, garlic, stracciatella. A must if you are there!
Waking to a glorious sunny day and a bit groggy from the travel, we were fortunate enough to have the first Intelligentsia coffee outpost inside our hotel to fuel us for the morning. Location, location, location! A quick run along the High Line south to the tip of Manhattan (to bask in the glory of the new World Trade Center) and back helped to kick the day off right.
Of course we needed one more coffee and we were off to check out some other great shops. Chelsea Market was our first stop. Wandering through multiple shops and vendors was a nice soft landing before we got deep into our plan. Anthony even found the perfect store, Dickson’s Farmstand Meats! Of course he scooped a t-shirt to commemorate his find..
First up on the agenda was Anthony’s must see, the Rapha Cycle Club, which was featuring an exhibit by legendary frame maker Richard Sachs. Impressively hand made bike frames and other memorabilia greeted us, along with another espresso inside the shop.
Yes, our third coffee of the morning.
The end of yet another...
From Chelsea, we headed to Bleecker Street and surroundings to hit favorites like Freeman’s Sporting Club, Gant, RRL, Jack Spade and Brooks Brothers Black Fleece among others. After a full morning of shopping, we needed lunch. Where better to fill our bellies than Eataly. A cavernous venue that puts your senses of overload with all things eating and Italy. We settled on some prosciutto flatbread and headed off.
Our afternoon started at the Dover Street Market, the home for all things chic with brands like Alexander Wang, Thom Browne, Rick Owens, COMME de GARCONS and Visvim among others. Go for the experience alone, it's 7 compact floors of incredible fashion and creative installations.
Visual overload. Too much good stuff!
Thom Browne goodness.
Never that far from Seattle, the blue skies turned to gray and rain, we headed directly to the REI SoHo store to gear up for an afternoon sloshing around in puddles. Thoroughly equipped for the storm, we continued on to Carson Street Clothiers. They’ve been on our must visit list for a long time and didn’t disappoint. A few more SoHo stops including Harry's, Ernest Alexander, Best Made and Miansai eventually ending up at John Varvatos in the old CBGB space. We love what he did with the space, saving it from certain demolition and honoring it by building around it as it was.
You could still smell a hint of stale beer and cigarettes.
The old CBGB bar come display table.
Across the bridge to Brooklyn for a couple more stops including Cadet, The Brooklyn Circus, Hickorees, and finally the Urban Outfitter concept store, Space Ninety 8, featuring local artists and the east coast Gorbals restaurant. Exhausted from 11 hours of non-stop walking, we cozied up before dinner at Marlow & Sons for a drink, followed by dinner at Meadowsweet.
Much needed hydration at Marlow & Sons.
Small plates of heaven at Meadowsweet.
So much more to see but our time here had come to an end with a slap in the face wake up call at 4:30 a.m. to catch an early flight back to Seattle and Hammer + Awl. Unfortunately, we never made it to the Nomad bar to enjoy my favorite drink, the Panamericano, that I relentlessly ask to be made at other establishments only to generally be disappointed that they are shy one ingredient. Next time NY, next time...
With a twist of orange. Try it. Seriously.
- Cheers H+A