This was my first time visiting NYC, I was there for work, and for just 48 hours, so I’m certainly not claiming to be an expert. Although short and sweet, my time in NYC couldn’t have been more perfect – I spent my time at the JFK departure lounge looking at flights to get back ASAP.
I was there predominantly for work, but I feel as though I managed to fit in a lot in between meetings and photoshoots. Here’s what 48 hours in NYC looked like….
Arriving in New York City
I stayed at The Ludlow located in the Lower East Side. Being a short trip I wanted to be as close to everything as possible to ensure I got a real taste of the city. The hotel is beautiful, the rooms are on the smaller side but very comfortable. The location could not have been more perfect – everything is on your doorstep. My flight landed at 7:30pm, I grabbed a yellow cab from the airport, checked and quickly freshened up, then ran out and met a friend for dinner. We went to Lil Frankies a 10 minute walk away, sat outside with a glass of wine, people watching and soaking up the atmosphere. Lil Frankie’s is a very cool Italian restaurant with simple, uncomplicated Italian food (recommended by my friend Frankie, nonetheless).
Day One in New York City
The next day was packed with meetings in the morning and a campaign shoot in the afternoon, with some shopping and gallery visits squeezed in between.
I woke up early and walked to Noho. I had my first meeting at a coffee shop called Cafe Lyria, the coffee wasn’t quite to New Zealand standard but pretty close, I’d still recommend a visit. Next was a meeting with a consultant who recommended we grab Leon’s Bagels – I had to have a bagel in NYC and this one did not disappoint.
I then had a small window of free time and had a few things I wanted to do, top of my list was a visit to the Judd Foundation in Soho. I didn’t realise you had to book a guided visit, but as I turned up by chance right on 11am, one person from the sold out tour hadn’t shown up, I love how things fall into place like this when you travel, I managed to take his spot and do the tour which was incredible. The guide was so passionate, it was such amazing insight into his family’s life, with everything so beautifully curated.
After this I ran into a few stores I’d been dying to visit in Soho; Khaite and Miu Miu were two favourites. I then had to race back to the hotel, via Toms Juice, for our shoot call time. We based ourselves at The Ludlow and shot out on the streets of LES with an amazing team, including a few New Zealanders, Heathermary Jackson who has lived in NYC for years and made had a successful styling career for herself, Vitta Reynolds was visiting NYC at the time and captured our video content, while Clara Pafundi shot the campaign.
Post-shoot I met some friends for dinner and drinks at Le Dive, a very fun spot, great for people watching – Austin Butler was sitting a few tables down from us. We then finished with Tiramisu and a nightcap and at Swan Room.
Day Two in New York City
My second (and final!) day, I had a few buyers and stylists come by the hotel to see the new collection in the morning, then spent a few hours with my production team at their office on 5th Ave. I then quickly explored the diamond district near their office which was like nowhere else I’ve experienced. I walked along 5th ave – visited Saks, then onto Madison Ave where I stopped off at a few vintage jewellery stores I’d been dying to visit, Eleuteri and Stephen Russell were two stand outs. I then made my way to Central Park and met a friend. We caught the metro to the Highline for a quick walk and visited Little Island. I really wanted to stop at David Zwirner Gallery in the same area (among many other galleries and museums I wanted to visit) but we were running out of time – I had a flight to catch later that night! So we jumped on bikes, which was such a fun way to see the city, and made our way back to the hotel, biking through Soho. There were a few vintage stores I wanted to see near the hotel; Desert Vintage, such a beautifully curated store with immaculate second hand designer pieces – most with a hefty price tag to match. Lara Coleji is another cute store in the area, as well as MNZ and Sandy Laing. Also in the area are iconic pizza spots Scarrs slice shop and Una – awarded best pizzeria in the world.
After an abundant and exhausting day, I finished off my whirlwind NYC trip with dinner at Casino. A very cute spot with delicious food and a great wine list – the perfect way to end the day before jumping back in a cab to catch a flight to London!
Jasmin Scott's recommended top spots
Everyone in the US is so friendly, I met some amazing people in the industry while I was there, each who shared a few of their favourite spots that I didn’t manage to fit in, but intend to next time – hopefully very soon! The ballet I was also very sad to miss, again – next time.
Stay
Nine Orchard
The Bowery
Shop
Ending Soon – second hand designer
Dine
Mimi
Raf’s
Casetta
Il Buco
Cafe Altro Paradiso
I Sodi
Drink
The Ten Belles
Babs
Gem Wine
Coffee
La Colombe
Galleries
On top the the standard MET, MoMa, Guggenheim etc.
Noguchi Museum
Pace Gallery
Words: Jasmin Scott
Photography: Jasmin Scott/Supplied
