By Kristen Bateman
Another season, another fashion week. This time, the Fall 2023 shows are kicking off with a heavy focus on rising names to know, like Elena Velez, Luar, Collina Strada and others who will be taking us back and forth between Brooklyn and Manhattan for the wild ride. Still, New York’s brightest stars and the veterans—Tory Burch and Veronica Beard among them—will be present to put on a good show. In between all that, here’s where to eat, drink, stay and shop.
Where to Eat
Hav & Mar
Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s latest masterpiece is a bountiful seafood restaurant in Chelsea that offers inventive, yet thoughtfully sourced seafood with a menu and decor that celebrates Black culture. On the menu: She Crab Soup with tomato, green papaya and puffed black rice or Swediopian, which consists of berbere-cured salmon, mustard seed caviar and buckthorn.
Claud
Recently opened Claud, in the East Village, is a hybrid restaurant and wine bar with snacks that raise an eyebrow in a good way: like escargot croquettes or razor clam with apple and horseradish–or even beets with béarnaise.
Casino
From the creator of Mr. Fong’s and Primo is the newly opened Casino, a brightly lit, cozy and warm restaurant offering coastal seafood with major flair. The checkerboard floors and bright orange seating are a welcoming sight amidst a sea of beige and neutral hued dining options.
Tin Building by Jean-Georges
If you have a little extra time to explore, head to the Tin Building by Jean-Georges for a culinary journey. The recently-opened bustling food hall has everything you could ever dream of–plus more, from the moodily lit T. Brasserie, the market’s French restaurant to the beautiful sushi counter, Shikku.
Where to Drink
Temple Bar
This jewel box of a bar has a jukebox and old School New York vibes. Its Nolita location makes it perfect for people watching and stopping in for a nightcap; or any kind of martini you could imagine.
Le Dive
Enter the Lower East Side’s perpetually cool universe at Le Dive, with plenty of natural wine options. Le Dive also offers snacking, like burrata and French inspired charcuterie and steak tartare.
Eataly
Perhaps the only place you can stock up on Italian groceries and get a drink between shows. Inside the Chelsea location is Bar Milano, with an authentic Milanese menu and an on-demand negroni cart waiting for you. Need we say more?
Veronica Beard
Fielding dickey coat.
Tory Burch
Mini Fleming crescent bag.
What to Pack
Statement Outerwear
New York is usually freezing in February. Luckily, this season, it’s a bit warmer than usual. But the rule still stands that your coat is the most important part of your outfit during winter fashion week in New York. To stand out in a sea of black puffers, opt for statement making outerwear. Look for prints, mixed fabrics, and bold colors–New York designer Veronica Beard’s contrasting jackets are a great place to start.
Covert It-Bags
Many designers are shifting to luxury that whispers rather than shouts. Pack a stunning, minimal and under-the-radar bag–it’s an essential for carrying all your must-haves to the shows. We’re loving Tory Burch’s new Mini Fleming, which has all the marks of a new classic.
Where to Stay
Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York
Another newly opened hotel seeks to bring a little bit of Paris to New York. The Tribeca located Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York is high on art deco design and opulent luxury, with a private movie theater to boot.
Aman
New York’s most luxurious hotel recently arrived in Midtown, and has quickly becme the place to stay. While it’s strategically positioned amongst Fifth Avenue’s most celebrated shops, you may never want to leave the zen nest with is calming ambience and unparalleled service.