Spring Exhibits From New York to London

 I wish I could jet set now between New York and London so that I can view the two hottest Spring exhibits,  Manus x Machina at The Metropolitan Museum in New York  and the British Vogue 100: A Century of Style at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The Met exhibit was celebrated last Monday with the Met Gala which is the grandest Fashion party of the year. That party  had 500,000 roses all over the museum and served 325 bottles of champagne. The only thing I don't like is that the Gala gives too much attention to the Hollywood celebrities and less on the New York socialites. Hopefully, I would be able to visit their exhibit in June to see all of the beautiful fashion creations. 

 

 

 

 View here the Video of the exhibit narrated by Chief curator Andrew Bolton. 

Meanwhile in London, British Vogue and the National Portrait Gallery is celebrating Vogue 100: A Century of Style. To celebrate the centenary, the Duchess of Cambrige has her first ever Vogue cover. It's a perfect choice since the Duchess is the Patron of the National Portrait Gallery. Her two portraits in the magazine were also included in the Exhibit. We hope to see her more in Vogue covers just like her mother in law, the late Princess Diana who was a Vogue cover girl four times. 

 

 

 

Watch a guided tour of the Exhibition.

Photo credits: Vogue.com, The Met, National Portrait Gallery and British Vogue.

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The MET Gala: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

Last Monday night was The Met Gala for the launch of The Costume Institutes's Exhibit titled Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.  The exhibit shows an "imaginary" dialogue between the two greatest female designers from two different eras - Elsa Schiaparelli from the 1930s to Miuccia Prada, the present. They are both Italians and they both revolutionized fashion design and the way women wear their clothes. Elsa Schiaparelli is famous for her use of colour and was especially known for her Schiaparelli pink. Miuccia Prada is known for her conservative chic designs.Yet all of her designs in clothing, shoes, bags and accessories have always set fashion trends even though she did not intend it to be. Whether you like their designs or not, visiting the Exhibit will give us a chance to discover about these two talented designers that have greatly influenced Fashion.

Here are my choices for the Best Dressed List from The Met Gala

Top Ten

Rooney Mara wearing Givenchy Haute Couture. I love the black lace which does not seem too overbearing. The gown was well designed, well cut and well worn. Plus Rooney's  sleek hairstyle and red lipstick. Just perfect!

Vogue Magazine Contributing Editor and New York Socialite, Marina Rust. I don't know the designer of her gown but she just looks beautiful as ever! Where are the New York socialites in this events?  The Hollywood celebrities overshadows the New York Socialites now in The Met Gala.

This counts for two - Engaged couple - Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. Jessica is pretty in pink designed by Prada and Justin looks good in his Tuxedo. Apparently, Jessica is also wearing her $130,000 Engagement ring.

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Random Views of New York City

Here are some random views of New York City. These pictures captured the beauty of New York City. From its landmarks, skyscrapers, bridges, modes of transportation and its own people.  Even visitors like me can look at it and marvel at its own character, a truly a metropolitan city that has lots to offer.

"In New York,Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,

There's nothing you can't do,Now you're in New York,These streets will make you feel brand new,The lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York"

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View of the Chrysler Building from our Hotel room  window at Waldorf Astoria.

One of the numerous New York City bridges.

Photo credit: Phaedra.

Rockefeller Center Building and a view of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Saks Fifth Ave Department Store.

My friends and I walked between Saks Fifth to Bergdorf Goodman  just to find the Tory Burch Cobalt Blue shoes. It turned out that it was only available at Bergdorf...

Bergdorf Goodman Department Store. It is beautiful inside!

Photo credit: Phaedra.

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue just right across from The Plaza Hotel. I love this modern glass architecture which best represents the innovation of Apple.

A beautiful New York City winter evening with the view of the Crescent Moon. The building in front is Bergdorf Goodman Department Store.

The evening view from Park Avenue beside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

On the Left is the view of the Metropolitan Museum. On the Right is The Plaza Hotel displaying both the United States and  Canada's flag.

View of the Temple of Dendur in the Metropolitan Museum.

On our way to Downtown New York on a clear winter Saturday afternoon.

A Horse carriage ride on Times Square passing through a New York Transit bus.

Photo credit: Phaedra.

Oh New York City, now you got me.

A City that has lots to offer.

It is a City that always entertains.

Next time, we will get to know each other more.



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Weekend in New York City

My High school best friends and I spent last weekend in New York City. Here is our weekend adventure...



Classic Yellow NYC Taxicab on Fifth Avenue.

Rockefeller Centre famous Skating rink.

Kids Sunday Morning Skating Rink session at Rockefeller Centre.

NBC Today Show at Rockefeller Center.

Brunch at The National Bar & Dining by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian was the winner in the 4th Season of the Food Networks' "The Next Iron Chef, Super Chefs." Chef Zakarian is the visionary behind The National which brings all occasion dining to New York's Midtown. It was designed French Bistro style and offer Brunch in the mornings, has a lunch menu and also dinner menu. This restaurant was suggested to us by the Concierge at our hotel, Waldorf Astoria. It is located  one block  behind the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

My breakfast Berkshire Pork Benedict at The National. The pork bacon strip was actually made in the restaurant rather than commercially bought. It was delicious! Then of course, my Cafe Americano cup for the morning!

The interior of The National designed in the French Bistro style. The National is located at 557 Lexington Ave (at 50th st) New York, NY.  Check out their website: www.thenationalnyc.com

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met, world renowned Museum located at Upper Fifth Avenue near Central Park. After our big breakfast, we spent the Saturday morning exploring The Met and its various collections.

The Gals at The Met!

Grand Entrance. As my 3 year old niece would say, "let's go! go! go!"

Lots of Cherry blossoms arrangement in the entrance. A sign of Spring to come!

A Cherry blossoms arrangement at The Met. I love this design! So simple yet so grand!

An Egyptian Statue at the Main Entrance. The Met  has many different collections inside this huge building.

The main staircase entrance to The Met Collections.

Grand arched ceilings of The Met.

Greek/Roman Collection

On the Left is the Spanish Collections. On the Right is the Japanese Art collections.

Monet's Water Lilies.

Middle Eastern Art.

The Damascus Room.

The Temple of Dendur.

Armoury.

The View outside The Met on a lovely, mild winter Saturday afternoon.

View of the Upper East Side Fifth Avenue Apartments. Where are the Gossip Girls?

After The Met Museum, we rode the taxi  to Madison Avenue to visit the Hermes Store. Nearby is Barneys which we also explored.

After some more shopping along Madison Avenue, we decided to go downtown along Broadway to have dinner at Soho. This day was a fun and relaxing day, spent chatting with my dear friends, discovering new restaurants like The National for our brunch, also exploring the numerous collections at The Met and walking around Madison Avenue to discover the shops like Hermes and Barneys. I truly enjoyed our visit to The Met. Their presentation in the Museum was very authentic. It felt like we were in the actual region.  We also visited other shops along Madison Ave which I will feature in my blog  next week. Hang on for more this weekend and next week!  There is more to New York! 

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