New York Fashion Scene

It’s no surprise that New York is a fashion mecca—and nowhere does this show itself more than in the autumn. The arrival of stunning fall foliage heralds highly-anticipated fall fashion that debuts on the runway and quickly spreads to the fashionable streets of Manhattan.

Models, buyers and celebrities from around the world descend upon the city that never sleeps for New York Fashion Week, a semi-annual event held in February and September. As the owner of the Shoes Me boutique in Pacific Beach, I was a designer in this year’s event, which jumpstarted a busy season in the fashion world. When I wasn’t busy preparing for show at the Metropolitan Pavilion, I was taking in the sites that set New York City apart. Here’s my advice for taking a bite of The Big Apple in the fall.

Where to eat

Gottino

Neighborhood: West Village

Cuisine: Wine bar, Italian

Price range: $11-30

This Italian-themed gastropub, wine bar and coffee shop features a beautiful outdoor garden, which is open until 3 a.m. The restaurant specializes in cicchetti (or tapas) and is famous for its cheeses, pates and even a seasonal rabbit pot pie.          

WD-50

Neighborhood: Lower East Side.

Cuisine: Molecular gastronomy, American Nouveau

Price range: $61 and up

Chef Wylie Dufrense has made a name for himself with his ecclectic cooking style, and WD-50 certainly delivers on that front. Dufrense relies on science and chemistry to create one-of-a-kind dishes—like a sunny-side-up egg salad with carrot puree and coconut broth.

The Meatball Shop

Neighborhood: Lower East Side

Cuisine: Italian, American

Price range: $11-30

Home to the best homemade meatballs in the city, the Meatball Shop is a cheap alternative to the other pricey Italian restaurants. I highly recommend the ice cream sandwich, which features two homemade cookies and a sizable portion of ice cream.

Landmark

Neighborhood: Upper West Side, Tribeca

Cuisine: American

Price range: $31-60

Chef Marc Murphy’s menu caters to all appetites. This after-work hangout boasts an incredible wine list and sells only by the bottle. The catch—all wine is served at a minimum markup. The steaks are cooked to order and I’m told the sweetbreads are to die for.

Tea & Sympathy

Neighborhood: West Village

Cuisine: British

Price range: $11-30

An English-owned and operated tea house with a pub. Far better than your mum used to make.

Where to party

The Box

Neighborhood: Lower East Side

This spot is very exclusive. You need to know someone to get in or you pay $500 per person. Once in, prepare yourself for celebs and freaky behavior. 

Brandy Library

Neighborhood: Tribeca

What sets Brandy Library apart—aside from its sizable selection of whiskeys, brandy and spirits—is its level of style and sophistication. It’s not the rowdiest bar in New York, but it may be the classiest.

Bar and Books

Neighborhood: West Village

This chain has four sites in New York, including one of the last cigar bars in the city. Max’s Tobacco Shop boasts an immense scotch selection and more Bond Girls in red dresses than the opening credits sequence to "A View to a Kill."

Little Branch

Neighborhood: West Village

Sasha Petraske, the man behind the members-only speakeasy Milk and Honey, founded this drinks-only establishment. The bar features live jazz, tin ceilings and not a stitch of food. Drinks are served with hand-carved ice. Order a beer and get a frown; order vodka and get kicked out.

Little Branch

Neighborhood: Chelsea

A secret door in an unassuming coffee shop leads to this 1920s-style speakeasy. The decor is meticulous, from the memorable entrance to the copper bathtub in the middle of the room to the pull-chains toilet flushers.

Where to shop

Jesse James Boutique

Neighborhood: West Village

This stylish boutique is casual—it serves up Coronas or sparkling wine while you shop. The collection includes an amazing selection by women with great taste—Walter, Shoshanna and some cool designers you may not know. This place is very stylish but relaxed.

Amarcord Vintage Fashion

Neighborhood: Soho

Best known for its trendy collection of high-end vintage and hard-to-find designer pieces, this shop also has a premium selection of mint-condition handbags and footwear. The stock is constantly replenished and features the most sought-after trends and styles. Also find dead-stocks, runway inspirational-pieces, costume jewelry and chic accessories.

A.P.C.

Neighborhood: East Village

If you want to invest in clothing, then invest in well-made basics and classics that will go with everything. There’s no better place to shop for such items than at A.P.C., which stands for Atelier de Production et de Creation. And you really do feel as if you’re shopping for items that were thoughtfully and artfully created at some atelier. This is one of my favorite places in New York.