Brooke has returned from yet another fabulous season at New York Fashion Week, marking her fourth and final trip to the Big Apple with UFG. Between the high energy shows and behind the scenes hustle, she’s discovered her favorite spots in the city while revisiting the places that remain on her mind when she’s back in Austin. Brooke has created a list of places that will take you on a joyride through the bustling city, beyond the runway.
The Flower District
Hidden within the towering skyscrapers lies a flourishing block lined with vibrant flowers and lush plants. A blissful morning walk through the Flower District in Chelsea, located on W 28th street between 6th and 7th avenue offers a peaceful yet unique experience. Brooke visited early in the morning around 8 a.m. and caught the most abundant and aesthetic scene of florals before a busy city day of working shows and exploring Manhattan.
Tompkins Square Bagels
After countless bagel stops, Brooke finally found her favorite: Tompkins Square Bagels in the East Village. They provide endless options for one’s taste with a diverse range of cream cheese, custom bagel toppings, and a curated menu. Her most recent pick is The Weezer sandwich which adequately fuels her for an active day ahead, stacked with the breakfast essentials. On a lighter day she’ll stick with a classic bagel and experiment with sweet and savory flavors. With a selection of fresh coffee and juices, it’s the place to be for brunch.
SoHo Shopping
For Brooke, no trip to the city is complete without a visit to the iconic SoHo neighborhood. Each block fulfills a shopper’s dream, stacked with stores ranging from world-renowned fashion brands to smaller designer pop-ups and gen z’s favorite shops. Brooke has established her SoHo staples where she’s picked up streetwear at WolfWang, explored eclectic home decor at the MoMA design store, and grabbed wardrobe staples at Zara and Brandy Melvillve. This past season she customized a charmed lip gloss at Glossier and discovered a new vintage store, The Re:Shop. No shopping spree is complete without browsing the high end flagships of luxury glamour at Gucci, Rick Owns, Celine, and more.
MET Museum fashion exhibit
The Met Gala fashion exhibit never falls short of exemplary for Brooke, where she’s seen designs from the biggest fashion event in media history. The exhibit includes garments from the world’s top designers worn by the highest giants in culture, taking them from the red carpet to glass cases ready for display. Like any creative in fashion, Brooke admires the intersection of art and history and she remains stunned by the beauty of each unique piece.
Central Park
Central park is a must-visit for soaking in the big city energy or relaxing from the intense scene of fashion week. Brooke loves to grab a coffee and sit by the Bethesda Fountain where there’s beautiful water fountains and intricate bridge architecture usually accompanied by live music performers. Across the 843 acres lies stunning landscapes and green spaces perfect for a picnic with fellow UFG members.
Iconic Magazines
With an hour or two to spare and an adoration for fashion media, Brooke visited Iconic Magazines at the corner of Mulberry and Kenmare street. While in the heart of NYC’s creative scene, this hidden gem is tucked inside a gas station and frequently visited by famous faces in the industry. From walls to shelves stacked with current issues of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and more, there’s endless copies ready to be viewed and added to your magazine collection.
The Fleur room
After a day of fashion shows and wandering around the big apple, Brooke unwinds or exhausts her final energy at The Fleur Room. Located at the Moxy hotel in Chelsea, 35 floors up with a 360 view of the city skyline and up close to the Empire State Building, the electric atmosphere is unforgettable. An earlier evening provides a speakeasy feel for grabbing a cocktail and bite to eat while a later evening can bring you to the dancefloor under the strobing disco lights.
For UFG members attending New York Fashion Week in the fall or spring, these spots will ensure a marvellous NYC experience in addition to working hands-on with successful fashion designers and show production companies. The mixture of relaxation, adventure, and fashion in Brooke’s guide provides all around options for making the short-lived weekend trip an unforgettable one!
Leave a Reply