Each week, Alexa breaks down the hottest fashion drops, hotel openings, restaurant launches, and celebrity-studded cultural events in NYC. It's our curated guide to the best things to see, shop, taste, and experience in the city.
What's on our luxury list this week? Totem's second NYC outpost, Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal share a stage, and Madonna's guitars go up for auction.
Uptown minimalists rejoice: Totem has opened on 69th and Madison, which means you no longer have to cross multiple zipcodes to shop your favorite brand. The beloved Swedish-based label was actually founded 10 years ago in New York City by Elin Kling and Carl Lindman; the pair opened their first outpost in SoHo in 2022. Their new boutique, designed by Holleroyd as before, spans 1,600 light-filled square feet and “blends the ornate with simplicity.” The non-sartorial star of the show is a bright red sculptural staircase, beneath which rests a sculpture by Anders Kriser. The store’s opening was strategically scheduled to coincide with the brand’s debut on the NYFW schedule, and showcased pieces from the Fall 2024 collection, alongside jewelry, shoes, and leather accessories, including the house’s emblematic T-Lock bag. Totem.com
A landmark of New York hospitality since 1904, The Peninsula Hotel has recently unveiled reimagined guest rooms, public spaces, and a brand new rooftop lounge called Penn Top. All of these were designed by the late Bill Rooney of Bill Rooney Studio, who was also selected to redesign the brand's Chicago property on the Magnificent Mile. Penn Top is located in what was once Salon de Ning, and the new design was reportedly inspired by an artist's loft. Although we don't get to see it, we do see a very generous indoor and outdoor space, with plenty of seating options that offer incredible city views from nearly every angle. Peninsula.com
Now is the time to check out and book your tickets to the often sold-out Architecture and Design Film Festival. This year marks its 16th season, running Sept. 25-28 at the Village East by Angelika Theatre, and will feature global premieres exploring the influence of architecture, design and art. Opening night highlights the world premiere of “Stardust: The Story of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown,” with director Jim Venturi and critic Martin Filler (The New York Review of Books) leading a post-screening discussion. To buy tickets or learn details about specific films, including the speaker lineup, go here ADFilmFest.com
NYC Downtown: The auction will take place on September 25 at 2 p.m., showcasing a treasure trove of artifacts connected to the Chelsea Hotel. These include Madonna's first guitar, her drum set and early recordings, three original portraits painted by Jean-Michel Basquiat – two after Andy Warhol's death and one of the late graffiti artist Keith Haring. Also: original neon letters from the hotel's iconic sign (restored and mounted), a sign from the El Quixote restaurant and several original doors from hotel rooms. There will be a live preview at the Chelsea Hotel on September 22 and 23, but the auction will be held online on September 25 Live Auctioneer.com and Invaluable.com
Tickets for “Othello” are now on sale with the Tony Award-winning and two-time Academy Award-winning actor winner Denzel Washington as Othello and Tony Award nominee and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago. Previews begin February 24, opening night will be March 23 and a 15-week engagement will run at the Barrymore through June 8. Tony Award winner Kenny Leon directs this special production; Molly Osborne will make her Broadway debut as Desdemona. Fun fact: The Barrymore was the last home of “Othello” almost 90 years ago, when a production played alongside “Macbeth” in September and October 1935. Othelobywe.com
