Karen Millen's brand new flagship store opened in SoHo in March 2008, and there's never been a better time to visit the world's greatest city. New York is the uber-city with its epic skyscrapers creating a fairytale backdrop while you shop.
SoHo
Our New York City flagship store opened at 114 Prince street in March 2008. Watch footage from the glamorous launch party.
Karen Millen, 112-114 Prince Street, (Greene Street), New York, NY 10012
SoHo, one of the city’s top shopping neighbourhoods, was once famous for its galleries and artists' lofts but is now more known for its shops and restaurants. Streets to head for include Greene Street with the museum-like shop Moss (146-150 www.mossonlline.com) selling high-end homewares. Just around the corner is celebrity favourite The Mercer hotel (www.themercerhotel.com) on Mercer Street where you'll often spot a shopping bag-laden Hollywood starlet swishing through the entrance with sunglasses fixed firmly to face.
Nolita
In the last decade or so, Nolita (North of Little Italy) has become one of New York's best shopping areas, with Mott, Mulberry and Elizabeth Streets lined with bijou shops of all kinds. Make sure you stop for a fresh mint tea at Cafe Gitane (242 Mott Street) the hub for Nolita's arty activity.
Greenwich Village
Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village, dubbed the Left Bank of New York is a narrow street lined with outdoor cafes, quirky shops and some international designers. Have a Carrie Bradshaw moment at Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleeker,Tel: +1 212 462 2572)
West Village
West Village, also known as Greenwich Village, has historically been the epicentre of New York’s gay and artistic communities. There are boutiques by the dozen, pastry and coffee shops and speciality shops.
Madison and Fifth Avenue
Madison Ave and Fifth Ave run alongside one another and, starting roughly at 50th St and continuing into the upper 70s, and are home to some of the most expensive retail shops in the world. All the major fashion houses are represented as well as numerous fine art dealers and jewellery shops.
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Soho House
29-35 9th Avenue
Tel: +1 212 627 9800
(0845 034 0700)
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Book Soho House Hotel with Mr & Mrs Smith
Cool Britannia in the heart of New York's buzzing Meatpacking District, the Manhattan outpost of London media club Soho House is the epitome of urban sophistication. Whether you hang out with fellow hipsters by the sleek rooftop pool or retire for some pampering at the CowShed spa, it’s the perfect home from home.
Bowery Hotel
335 Bowery
Tel: +1 212 505 9100
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This latest addition to the Manhattan hotel scene is the hottest opening of 2007. Located on the happening borders of the East Village and Lower East side, it's the perfect spot for hipsters on holiday. The handsome interior artfully fuses a pared-down modern look with salvage finds and Victorian antiques, pulling off that near impossible trick of feeling like an instant classic.
Gramercy Park Hotel
2 Lexington Avenue,
Tel: +1 212 920 3300
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Book this boutique hotel with Mr & Mrs Smith
Trailblazer Ian Schrager's latest show-stopping masterpiece the Gramercy Park hotel is high on haute bohemian style, employing a dazzling, idiosyncratic mix of contemporary cool punctuated with artful swipes of colour, delicious antiques and bold pieces of art. There’s a splendid terrace bar on the roof too.
The St Regis Hotel
2 E 55th Street
Tel: +1 212 753 4500
Very much an old-school sort of place dripping with butlers and chandeliers. Silk wall coverings and antiques lend an elegant and refined Cecil Beaton feel. The King Cole Bar is a classic and one of the world’s great hotel bars. Legend has it that this is the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, which here goes by its original name the Red Snapper.
La Esquina
106 Kenmare Street
Tel: +1 646 613 7100
Low profile, but highly exclusive, joints don't come cooler than this Mexican restaurant and bar. Exposed crumbling brick walls, flickering candles and worn plank wood floors create a rough and ready vibe but you know that once the host at the door has whispered your name into a walkie-talkie and granted you access you have made it into the inner sanctum of hip New York. Call ahead.
The Spotted Pig
314 West 11th Street
Tel: +1 212 620 0393
This West village spot nails the gastro-pub thing perfectly: chicken liver toast, pot o' pickles and marinated black fig salad with thyme and parmesan. It's loud and fun and perfect for a really informal get together or a late brunch following a night exploring Chelsea's nightclub scene.
Pastis
9 Ninth Avenue
Tel: +1 212 929 4844
Brunch here is a New York institution. On a sunny day you can sit out of the pavement. Slap bang in the Meatpacking district this is the perfect spot to rub shoulders with the beautiful people.
Cookshop
156 10th Ave
Tel: +1 212 924 4440
Cookshop is a great place for brunch, and the emphasis is on local, seasonal ingredients. The huevos rancheros are glorious.
APT
419 West 13th St
Tel: +1 212 414 4245
One of the pioneers of the Meatpacking District, APT is still going strong thanks to its all-things-to-all-people appeal. Upstairs is dedicated to the swank set who crave bottle service, while the smallish bar downstairs hosts some of the best DJs in the city.
Double Seven
418 West 14th Street
Tel: + 1 212 981 9099
This discreet hideaway features a cocktail menu created by the owners of the uber-exclusive Milk & Honey. The cocktails, which arrive paired with chocolates, almost live up to the clientele: a mix of celebs, NYC socialites, sports stars and models. Getting in is tough so arrive before 11pm.
Four Seasons Bar
99 east 52nd Street
TTel: +1 212 754 9494
Located in Mies van de Rohe's Seagram building, this is where to hang with the power crowd.
Arts
The Guggenheim (1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street; www.guggenheim.org) is an architectural masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright housing some of the world's best modern and contemporary art. The shop here is rather good too. Some of the best art in NYC isn't in the museums however. It's located in Chelsea where there are more art galleries next to one another than anywhere else in the city. The area west of 9th Ave between 17th & 27th Sts is home to such powerhouses as Andrea Rosen, Sonnabend and Gagosian. In all, Chelsea contains about 300 art galleries and a growing number of design galleries like Sebastian + Barquet. While your on an art tip make sure you check out the astonishing collection at Moma (11 W 53rd Street, T: +1 212 708 9400; www.moma.org) www.westchelseaarts.com
Park Life
And then of course there’s Central Park, Manhattan's huge green space, where the locals let loose. Go rollerblading, take a boat out on the lake or just get lots in this wonderful urban oasis.
