New York is thriving yet again, from the cobblestone streets of SoHo to the downtown kid aesthetic in East Village. Our NY Virtual Guide tracks the exciting new openings, pop-ups, brands and lifestyle interior concepts taking over the city.
Look out for new immersive audiovisual art experience Undercurrent, located in a Brooklyn warehouse. With plans to raise awareness of critical issues surrounding the climate crisis and sustainability, it features work from more than 40 creatives, including musicians Grimes, Khruangbin and Bon Iver.
In fashion, retailers add a more sustainable and inclusive twist to classic pieces. Luxury label Brother Vellies uses VM to create an escapist sanctuary retail space, while womenswear label KES ticks WGSN’s sustainability trend with its recycled materials and natural plant-based dyes.
Check out emerging NY designers using deadstock materials as a source for inspiration, such as Mia Vesper’s trenchcoats made of Mexican wedding blankets, jackets constructed from antique tapestries and skirts made of Persian rugs. For architectural silhouettes, Peter Do epitomises a chic New York look with ironically oversized bags and blazers.
Beauty brands prioritise hygiene, sustainability and empowerment, encouraging self-care through playful rituals and packaging. Bawdy tackles taboos by delivering beneficial, functional products with humour. Its butt masks and butt sticks provide firming and restorative properties with CBD, and its newest product, the Nipple + Areola Stick, is suitable for breastfeeding mothers.
New York is a haven for interiors inspiration. Home Union explores a curation of midcentury and postmodern vintage furniture, plus new homewares such as candles and glasses. Check out Coming Soon, a constantly rotating interiors and gift shop selling colourful, modern items.
In food and drink trends, luxury culinary experiences have more inclusive price points and menus to cater to plant-based diets. Minority women-owned cafe Local Roots is an overall movement to build a regenerative food system in NYC. It educates people around farming and plant-based foods via playful educational content on social media from its Instagram-worthy setting. For the increasingly popular natural wine trend, try Peoples Wine bar and shop at Essex Market.
If you’re a WGSN subscriber, virtually visit New York via our Virtual Guide on the site.