HERVE BALEY EDITIONS @MAGEN H GALLERY

Setting the scene: Hervé Baley Editions at Magen H Gallery

If furniture could talk, the sharp lines and slim velvet cushions of the Hervé Baley Editions pieces would whisper of conversations between dapper gentlemen--accented by puffs of smoke and slow sips of whiskey. Stylistically, the rigid wood forms and deliberately non-ergonomic designs invite guests to pause and gossip, but not to linger. Surrounded by attendees--dressed as impeccably as the show pieces--we drift through gallery's distinct spaces during Wednesday night's press preview. Keep reading for a look inside...  

INSPIRED BY METROCARD @GRAND CENTRAL GALLERY

 

The Inspired by Metrocard exhibit at the NY Transit Museum Gallery in Grand Central showcases art and fashion made from Metrocards

Clink. Swipe. Tap. New York City's subway-riding Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers will recognize the familiar sounds of getting through the turnstile. While the clink of tokens and swipe of a Metrocard has progressed to a tap of credit or Omni card, each generation of transit technology has left its mark. As the Metrocard retires, a small but meaningful tribute has appeared inside Grand Central Station. The New York Transit Museum Gallery is hosting Inspired by Metrocard, an exhibit of artistic centered around the iconic yellow and blue card. Exhibit admission is free and will be on view until October 26. Keep reading for a peek at the fashion pieces inspired by the iconic Metrocard...

ART X FASHION @FITMUSEUM

Close up of Leeann Huang's "Six Course Meal" dress (Spring 2019) as part of the Art x Fashion exhibit at the Museum at FIT

A red snapper on a silver platter--accompanied by a dish of lobster claws, oysters and scattered chandelier beads--rests atop a dress titled "Six Course Meal" by Leeann Huang. My favorite piece of the new ART x FASHION exhibit at the Museum at FIT is tucked in the back corner and embodies the true sense of wearable art. Equal parts couture, sculpture and storytelling, Huang's masterpiece captures the exhibition's central theme: when fashion becomes art, the body becomes the canvas. Keep reading to have a look inside.

DOURIEAN FLETCHER: JEWELRY OF THE AFROFUTURE @MAD MUSEUM

Okoye, General of the Dora Milaje, as seen in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), full ensemble featuring necklace, belt buckle, armor, and shoe accessory, c. 2018; Ruth E. Carter and Marvel, designers and Douriean Fletcher, maker

"Who is Douriean Fletcher?" I asked myself, as I headed to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) to check out the Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture exhibit.  The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place the work. When the elevator doors opened, there was gold. There was a creative ferocity. And there was a bold, unmistakeable Black Afro-futurist vibe. Surrounded by images and costumes from Marvel's Black Panther, everything snapped into focus. Keep reading for a look inside...

Guerlain presents SHALIMAR: 100 YEARS OF LOVE @WALDORF ASTORIA

At a cost of $23,000, only 66 of this Guerlain + Janaina Miheiro ultra limited edition bottle will be signed and made to order

It's been ages since I set foot in the Waldorf Astoria. After an 8-year renovation and a 'grand opening' on November 7, how had the legend been reborn? Guerlain's Shalimar: 100 Years of Love exhibit was the perfect excuse to see for myself. I stepped inside and entered a sanctuary with marble and mirrors, soft reflections and the unmistakeable hush of old-world glamour. Everywhere, there were nods to a century of Shalimar--the warm scent of vanilla and iris in the air, archival art displayed just beyond reach and subtle nods to art deco (IYKYK). The exhibit itself is located in a private space--providing a glimpse of the journey of the perfume and perfumers, surrounded by opulence. Keep reading for a look inside...

DRESS, DREAMS & DESIRE: FASHION & PSYCHOANALYSIS @FIT MUSEUM

Two looks from John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture "Freud or Fetish" collection (Fall 2000)

Stepping into the Museum at FIT’s Dress, Dreams & Desire: Fashion & Psychoanalysis, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would the exploration of psychoanalysis turn tawdry, or would the themes remain nuanced and intellectual? As for the fashion—would simple and subtly sophisticated outpace bold and brazen? With so many potential angles, Valerie Steele’s five-year research project materialized into a striking Freud-forward fashion showcase, combining sensual undertones with undeniable class. Keep reading for a look inside.

FANCY: Costumes, Characters and the Richmond Masque @the Valentine

Fancy: Costumes, Character and the Richmond Masque at the Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia

On the drive back from our Memorial Day weekend visit to Virginia, we stop at the Valentine Museum and stumble onto a remarkable slice of Richmond's fashion history. From the outside, the stout brick building at the corner of Clay and 10th feels unassuming, almost easy to miss. Inside, visitors are greeted with something unexpectedly rich. FANCY: Costumes, Characters, and the Richmond Masque is the kind of exhibit that surprises you with its intimacy and depth. Spanning from the 19th century to the present day, it offers a vivid look at the capital city’s layered culture through the lens of costume and self-expression. Keep reading for a look inside... 

FLORAL DREAMS UNFOLD @MACYS FLOWER SHOW 2025

Floral Dreams Unfold is the theme of Macy's 2025 Flower show 

Each Spring, Macy's Herald Square transforms its flagship store into a floral fantasy-- this year's Flower Show is no exception. Even before you step inside, the magic begins at the windows on Broadway. There, fashion and flowers collide in a full sensory escape. Each window tells a story: whimsical animals, feminine palettes, and imaginative scenes that blend nature, art, and a touch of theatrical flair. It’s like strolling past a series of living postcards, each frame more vibrant than the last. Keep reading for a look at the Floral Dreams Unfold windows of 2025...

BLACK DRESS II: HOMAGE @Pratt Manhattan Gallery

House of Zinda / Designer: Zinda Williams (2016) for Pratt Manhattan Gallery's exhibit Black Dress II: Homage

A decade after the groundbreaking Black Dress exhibition, Black Dress II: Homage returns to Pratt Manhattan Gallery, celebrating the creative force of Black designers in fashion. Opening in time for NY Fashion Week and Black History month, the latest iteration expands on the original exhibit's mission, showcasing a diverse range of work that intertwines artistry, history, and cultural identity. The scrapbooks of Clara Branch inspired curator Adrienne Jones, who was a long time mentee. The exhibit is co-curated by Rachelle Etienne-Robinson and features both emerging and established designers whose work redefines narratives in fashion. Keep reading for a look inside...

SOLID GOLD @BROOKLYN MUSEUM

[L] Jeremy Scott jacket + pants (F/W 1998-99), [R] Larry Legaspi suit (1982)

From grillz to gowns and from the church to the club, gold has long captivated us with its alluring sheen and implied luxury. The Brooklyn Museum's newest exhibit--Solid Gold-- is a dazzling exploration of gold's enduring allure and multifaceted significance. In celebration of the museum's 200th anniversary, the exhibit presents a glittering array of over 500 objects, the majority drawn from the museum's vast collection. Keep reading for a look inside...