Having recently started my own interior design business, art is very important to me and for my clients. I decided at the last minute to head to NY for the Armory Show for a whirlwind 4 day trip...
Monday 4 March: Packing night...always easy to pack for NY but tricky this time as the weather is all over the place...sunny Winter days will turn into a snow storm! Argh, that is not what I had planned! First I pack my beauty bag…
I keep it simple with my Environ routine (toner, cleanser, colostrum gel followed by one cream which acts as day and night cream followed by eye cream, et voila!). On the plane I use my friend Georgia Louise’s delicious floral spray, my Rodial Glam balm - which has now replaced the 8 hour cream in my plane emergency kit - it does the same job as the 8hr cream but smells divine. My kids and fellow travel companions love it...thank you Maria! (Hatzistefanis, the founder of Rodial another friend...lucky me!). I also pack my Rodial Brazilian dark fake tan...it is almost spring after all.
Now, the looks to take with me. I am only going for 4 days so it’s pretty easy to think ahead.
2 x casual jeans/sweater/booties looks (my burgundy pony skin Isabel Marant shoes go with both looks)
3 x evening looks for 3 night outs:
1) Peter Pilotto skirt/Alice Olivia shirt/Louboutin black patent pumps.
2) Saint Laurent black lace panel dress/Alexander Wang boots
3) LaMania strapless jumpsuit/Saint Laurent leopard print black tux jacket/Saint Laurent red booties.
The art fair look (cool and comfortable is what I am thinking of): SS13 Celine leather top/J Brand black waxed jeans/old forest green Louboutin flats.
Exercise clothes, boots in case it snows, boots in case it doesn't snow....my favorite Madeleine Thompson beanies, a fur jacket and a cape...Luckily I know what I need and what works (all looks have been tried and tested, I am not afraid to repeat looks...different city, different people, I am safe!) so I am all packed in an hour!
Tuesday 4 March...leaving for NY on the early morning flight, the best way to go to NY: you arrive lunchtime, avoid emigration queues, get there in time for lunch, have the rest of the day to shop, early dinner and reasonable first night avoiding the inevitable first night jet lag! Been there done that...
Gorgeous skies and beautiful NY waiting for us.
First stop: The Showplace. My girlfriend made me discover this little vintage fashion & furniture centre last year and it is now a ‘must’ on every visit to New York. It’s on 40 West 25th Street.
I couldn't resist buying a vintage mohair cape at Marlene Wetherell, very 70s Chloe. I pack my fur jacket and leave with the cape on. Barely out of the place, 2 people comment on my beautiful cape...it’s a bargain at $500 too...oh I do love a bargain...
My girlfriend Tracy always buys very unique and cool pieces there and leaves with a very interesting Geoffrey Beane silk gown (for Salzburg of course!) and a fuchsia YSL silk belt (for the Salzburg gown...). She has an unbelievable eye and I get inspired by her gutsiness....
After Marlene we go furniture shopping...so many gorgeous pieces..1960s Milo Baughman and 1970s Fontana arte...
On the way back we hit J Crew and Barney's...and it’s not even 3pm! I snapped an Isabel Marant look alike grey top, denim shirt and a burgundy stripy t-shirt (I am sucker for a stripe).
After a 7pm cappuccino (something I would never do in London but I am starting to fade so it’s a little wake me up) I get ready for my dinner with my girlfriends at new hotspot Bill's (57 East 54th street). The Peter Pilotto combo is perfect for tonight, am ready in 10 minutes...
Wednesday 6 March: Up at 8am and I can't wait to go to my Tracy Anderson classes! Yep, I come to NY and the first thing I do is exercise...I have been doing the method for 2 years with the London trainers and as there isn't a studio in London (yet) I always visit the NY ones for the amazing dance cardio and bands classes...I do 2 hours back to back. I am drenched by the end but oh so happy! I know the trainers and a lot of the girls who train there so it’s like a little community of crazy fit bunnies!
After my workout I head for the Mercer Hotel for a little light lunch with a girlfriend before we go to the Armory show VIP preview.
I find the show a bit disappointing, it’s my first time and I was expecting something more exciting. It’s not ArtBasel nor Frieze...but I am glad I have seen it...I fell in love with a massive Andy Warhol "American Indian" piece and a Mona Hatoum work on mirror.
Tonight I am meeting my gay husband and his second wife (I am number 1 of course) at Mari Vanna, the Russian restaurant, sister restaurant to London and Moscow...yummy food and a good prep for my Moscow trip next week...I decide to wear my Saint Laurent dress and Wang boots...sexy, easy, and warm for the chilly night.
Thursday 7 March: After another Tracy Anderson workout, today it is shopping day! I hit Barneys, Intermix and Isabel Marant. I narrow it down to what we don't have in London...my girlfriend Emma asks me to act as her personal shopper and asks me to put anything on hold I would buy for myself. I of course buy a lot of the pieces I select for her...but these are new designers and cool little brands that won't break the bank. At Isabel Marant I snap the embroidered white jeans and the suede mini skirt in the SS13 ad campaign, so cool, so Jane Birkin. I buy a purple crop cashmere top to wear it with.
After a fun day, I book myself a massage with Lorenzo, he kills me but I feel amazing and ready for our night out. Heading to another cool spot, Nomad. Delicious food and the place looks very much like Hotel Costes in Paris (but with New Yorkers instead of chic Parisians...) The girls are ready to hit the town and I decide to wear my new sexy LaMania jumpsuit and Saint Laurent tux jacket combo...and my new Intermix necklace.
Friday 8 March: last day already but it feels like I have been here for much longer. I have crammed in all I wanted to do and see... it is suddenly snowing and Central Park is white...a white NY is always beautiful.
I hit Bergdorf this morning, shoe department first...I can't resist a pair of Chloe wedges and white Gianvito Rossi sandals. Both perfect companions for above Isabel Marant purchases...God, that was easy....I never make it to Saks but my girlfriend is dragging me there and I remember that Aerin Lauder's new chic make up line is sold there and I end up buying 4 shades of nude lipgloss and lipstick...I obviously like nude lips!
I snap a pair of the Saint Laurent black/silver strappy sandals...SO AMAZING.
By that purchase, my credit card gets declined...I know I have hit my limit and it’s time to go home and pack...! My suitcase is bursting and I am relieved in a way to leave after only 4 days.
We all love NY but it’s a financial disaster to stay there longer than 4 days...I am a savvy shopper and I am now done with my SS13 shopping...on the way to the airport we hit Dos Caminos for the best guacamole in town and some cocktails to knock us out on the flight home...
Bye bye NY, see you for Frieze in May.
