Shopping Day in Soho, New York City
Soho has always held a special place in my heart. It really feels different from the rest of the city, from the old brick streets to the stores with giant metal steps leading to their porticos. It’s ever-evolving, which ensures that each visit I’ll discover something new. Granted, many of the major brands have outposts here, especially more towards Houston (pronounced HOW-stun), but as you wander closer to Canal, there’s still some independent stores that you won’t see everywhere.
Soho has always held a special place in my heart.
On this visit, I put the new Gucci store, which opened in 2018 on Wooster Street, on my list. Whether you’re a fan of the brand or not, this store is most definitely worth a stop. It’s a very unique concept store, complete with a theater showing independent films to a bookstore curated by Dashwood Books. And did you know Gucci makes furniture? I did not, and it was so much fun exploring their offerings. This store is truly a window into the soul of Gucci, and the welcoming staff is full of information and insights into the brand.
I fully enjoyed the bold femininity of the Simone Rocha store (one of only three in the world), just a couple doors away from Gucci. Their designs always intrigue me, as they push that girly vibe into chic edginess. That’s a tough line to ride, but they consistently do it well. The store itself was exquisitely designed, complete with an instillation of honeycombs in plexiglass at the entrance.
This time I tried the ginger margarita. It was hard to stop myself at just one, but I had to keep a clear head for more shopping.
Shopping always whets my appetite, and I always have to make a stop at The Mercer Kitchen to revive myself. This time I tried the ginger margarita. It was hard to stop myself at just one, but I had to keep a clear head for more shopping. Completely satisfied with my goat cheese omelette and rosemary potatoes, I headed back out. (Updated: This restaurant sadly closed in 2022.)
I have a client looking for a chic dress for a summer wedding, so I perused the selections at Morgane Le Fay. Of their four stores, this one is always my favorite. The diaphanous creations seem to float on their own accord. I think I found a winner for my client as well. (update: They are now located at 743 Madison Avenue.)
I also visited Nicholas K, which was conveniently located a couple doors away from my hotel. Created for the urban nomad, this line has a very luxe organic feel, a diverse color palette and an array of fluid designs. It’s right up my alley! Plus, the brother/sister team behind the label focus on creating a conscientious, sustainable line, which is wonderful.
As you clearly guessed, these were just a sampling of stores I visited in Soho. If you’d like to see my hand-picked favorites, I encourage you to subscribe, and my little black book will become yours too.
