NYFW, solo dining—possibly upstate—and modern hair-looms ;)
1.
That’s a wrap for NYFW! A lot to look at and still consider, but my two immediate takeaways are these: 1. It wasn’t the most thrilling season we’ve seen (ie, nothing really left me breathless), but on a broader level, it felt like the industry was showing us—in varying degrees of strength—that it’s moving forward, one wobbly step at a time, after getting whacked in the kneecaps by Covid. 2. The collections I appreciated and loved the most all seemed to have one common thread: quality of craft…and also some seriously good craftwork (Altuzarra, AREA and Proenza Schouler all come to mind). Next for me: Paris, where the promise of some seriously good croissants is a bottom-line guarantee.
2.
Gosh, those Victorians…as buttoned-up as they were, they were also undeniably romantic. Back then, it was a common practice to express love and other sentiments through the language of flowers (they actually relied on floral dictionaries to decipher what different flowers comprising a bouquet signified). They also wore hair lockets to hold a loved one’s locks close the heart, a practice that’s making a comeback thanks to hairwork artist Gina Lacovelli of Mementos Intertwined. Locovelli recently partnered with jeweler J. Hannah on a line of made-to-order personalized lockets, featuring exquisitely knotted or woven strands of hair. More than lovers, I can actually think of many parents who would be keen on this idea.
3.
I’ve been enjoying New York Magazine’s latest newsletter launch, The Year I Ate New York, by Tammie Teclemariam, specifically the most recent dispatch regarding odd things people say to solo diners. Of course food is at the center of Teclemariam’s conversation, but dining out—especially in cities like New York—is always about so much more than that. I’ve had that discomfiting experience of a solo evening at the bar (an occasion that I was sooooo looking forward to), exhaustively spent trying to get out of conversations with others who feel oddly obligated to ensure I’m not “lonely.” During those moments, it’s not my job to make others feel comfortable. I’m just trying to commune with me my cacio e pepe! But then there’s also the magic of those unexpected occasions, when I have no intention of talking to anyone else (again, all I want is an intimate moment with my pasta…), and the perfect conversation strikes up with a random stranger. That’s also part of the brilliance of dining out in a town like this one.
4.
I learned two new wine facts last week. 1. Virginia actually makes some pretty impressive juice! 2. Even better if it’s a dry Petit Manseng by Michael Shaps, which my friend Patrick scooped up on a recent roadtrip. It was luscious and round, and too good not to finish the bottle (so of course we did).
5.
I grew up in a small village in upstate New York (where I actually hatched this newsletter nearly two years ago while in lockdown), and lately I’ve had a lot of mixed feelings about how rapidly the area is changing, and who gets to deem it cool and worthy of attention. When a writer from NYC steps off the Amtrak, strolls Hudson’s Warren Street for a few hours, has a quick lunch at Lil Deb’s Oasis before hopping back on the train and declaring it the NEXT BIG THING, yeh, that pisses me off a bit. I’ve been somewhat reluctant to write too much about my own hometown, mostly because it’s a precious place to me. But with the arrival of some exciting new businesses, including a press-worthy new restaurant and cafe, I figured, “F— IT. It’s only a matter of time before this spot gets blown up, and I’ll be so pissed if it’s someone else’s byline. Long story, short— here you go.