-
Dec 24, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
Barbara Hodes goes West to Los Angeles to see what's new, what's gone, and what's doin' in the world of fashion.
-
Nov 6, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
It’s official. Giorgio Armani has moved from Fifth Avenue into his newly finished hand-carved limestone-clad store on 65th and Madison. His is the latest big brand that’s found that the tourists filling up Fifth Avenue’s streets are not looking for designer clothing. Although this shift began with the pandemic, many other brands are now in the process of relocating from Fifth.
-
Oct 23, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
Luxury brands have hit a wall, so to speak. Customers are balking as brands have raised prices with abandon — and lowered quality. For the most part, people are buying alternatives and sticking with the brands that offer quality without sticking it to them. And contrary to popular sentiment, there are plenty of those brands around.
-
Oct 4, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
New stores in Noho are pointing to an exciting start to the fall season. And they are all adding something to the NYC mix, including a very big international outpost, several cool smaller well-stocked boutiques and sneaker emporiums, and an interesting reboot.
-
Sep 20, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
The last time I visited Deauville in Normandy was ten years ago, and I enjoyed everything in and around the city. On that trip we made a quick stop along the Seine at Château-Gaillard, an old fortress perched high on a cliff over the river built by Richard the Lionheart between 1196 and 1198 as his stronghold in Normandy. I had longed to return and explore the area, and so this year I did exactly that.
-
Aug 20, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
The tree-shaded streets in Nolita are still in full summer bloom, but seeing harbingers of change. A crop of new stores with fresh concepts have recently opened, offering some very different shopping experiences and bringing with them new personality to Nolita — international and local brands alike. Whether you are a minimalist or maximalist, or somewhere in between, there is a lot that looks intriguing for the fall season ahead.
-
Aug 7, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
It’s high summer, and more new stores have opened in SoHo. Most of these brands are less expensive, but that doesn’t mean they’re boring. Several stores are coming from notable mall brands presenting completely new concepts while others have arrived from abroad. But all of them are offering experiences to completely different customer bases. And yet, they all feel at home in SoHo. And it’s the shoppers who are benefiting from these new ideas and stimulating experiences, like sharefronting.
-
Jul 18, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
We landed in Rome during a heat wave last month. Three days of shopping and culture were on the agenda before heading south to the beach. Rome was also hot with tourists, crawling with them, in fact. And many of the families had brought their children, many very young. But though some neighborhoods were totally overcrowded, other lesser-known areas were relatively tourist-free. It might have been hot, but the skies were crisp and blue.
-
Jun 13, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
Madison Avenue is full of new stores. Those I recently spotted are all stand-alone brands, not part of huge conglomerates. You know, the ones that have been raising prices as of late just because they can. All of these new businesses belong to individuals or to partners and offer their own take on style. While some stores are offering higher price points and more luxurious fabrics and details, quite a few of the brands are providing their fashions at an accessible price.
-
May 30, 2024 | 
newyorksocialdiary.com | Barbara Hodes
Sunday morning we were off to the far side of Venice. First stop was at the Ca’ D’Oro, as it had not been open due to a big party at the last Biennale. The beautiful late Gothic building was restored by Giorgio Franchetti, and given to the city of Venice more than 100 years ago. The upper floors house Franchetti’s many collections. Currently a collection of golden masterpieces from Umbria are on display. The front of the building is finely carved, and is guarded by a group of stone lions.
