Every week, Alexa rounds up New York's biggest fashion drops, hotel openings, restaurant debuts, celeb-filled cultural events, and more. This is your curated guide to the best things to see, buy, taste, and experience in New York.
What's on this week's luxury list: Totem's second New York store, Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal co-starring, and Madonna's guitar going up for auction.
Good news for uptown minimalists: Toteme has opened at 69th Street and Madison Avenue. You no longer have to travel across multiple zip codes to shop your favorite brands. This beloved Swedish-based brand was founded in New York 10 years ago by Erin Kling and Carl Lindman. The duo opened their first branch in SoHo in 2022. The new boutique, like its predecessors, is designed by Halleroed and is a light-filled 1,600 square feet that “combines opulence with austerity.” The non-fashion highlight is a bright red sculptural staircase, with an Anders Chrysaard sculpture resting beneath it. The store's debut was strategically scheduled to coincide with the brand's NYFW debut, showcasing looks from the Fall 2024 collection, plus jewelry, shoes, leather accessories, and the house's iconic T-lock bag. totem.com
A New York hospitality landmark since 1904, the Peninsula Hotel recently unveiled newly renovated rooms, public spaces, and a brand new rooftop lounge called Penn Top, all designed by the late Bill Rooney of Bill Rooney Studio, who also oversaw the renovation of the brand's Chicago Magnificent Mile property. Penn Top is located in what was once Salon de Ning, and the new design is said to have been inspired by the artist's loft. While you won't see that loft, the indoor and outdoor space is very spacious, with plenty of seating options and great city views from nearly every angle. Peninsula.com
Now is the time to peruse and reserve tickets for the sell-out Architecture & Design Film Festival. The 16th annual festival runs September 25-28 at the Village East by Angelika Theatre and will feature world premieres that explore the influences of architecture, design and art. Opening night will feature the world premiere of “Stardust: The Story of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown,” followed by a post-screening discussion with director Jim Venturi and critic Martin Filler (New York Review of Books). To purchase tickets or find out more about specific films, including the speaker lineup, visit www.architecture.com/news/202010122/. ADFilmFest.com
Downtown New York City: The auction will take place on September 25th at 2pm and will feature treasures from the Chelsea Hotel, including Madonna's first guitar, drum set, early recordings and three original portraits by Jean-Michel Basquiat (two painted posthumously by Andy Warhol and one by the late graffiti artist Keith Haring). Also on display will be the neon lettering from the hotel's iconic sign (which has been restored and mounted), the El Quijote restaurant sign and a hotel guest room door. A live preview will take place at the Chelsea Hotel on September 22nd and 23rd, but the auction will take place online on September 25th. Live Auction.com and Valuable.com
Tickets are on sale now for “Othello,” starring the Tony Award-winning and two-time Academy Award-winning actor. Winner Denzel Washington stars as Othello and Tony Award and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Iago. Previews begin February 24, open on March 23 and run for 15 weeks through June 8 at the Barrymore Theatre. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon and will feature Molly Osborne making her Broadway debut as Desdemona. Fun fact: The last time “Othello” was performed at the Barrymore Theatre was nearly 90 years ago, when a production featuring “Macbeth” opened in September and October 1935. Othello Bway.com
