See The Met’s ‘Sleeping Beauties,’ Natural History Museum’s hip-hop jewels, more NYC events
Each week, Alexa is rounding up the buzziest fashion drops, hotel openings, restaurant debuts and celeb-studded cultural happenings in NYC.
It’s our curated guide to the very best things to see, shop, taste and experience around the city.
What’s making our luxury list this week?
Van Cleef & Arpels makes Fifth Avenue bloom, two new fashion exhibitions chronicle chic, Jayson Home takes over the loft at Bergdorf’s and a picture-perfect bar opens atop The Wall Street Hotel.
HEAVY PETAL: Fifth Avenue Blooms
Fifth Avenue is officially in full bloom, thanks to Van Cleef & Arpels and the Fifth Avenue Association.
For the third year, the storied jeweler tapped French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet to create colorful, flower-themed sculptures that will line an especially storied stretch of the Avenue, between 50th and 59th Streets, through May 31.
These uber-optimistic installations seem made for selfies: whimsical benches and arched promenades, bursting with color and, in some cases, live flowers.
New this year: weekend dance performances from the likes of Trisha Brown, poetry reading, children’s storytelling and live painting — all free and open to the public at The 550 Garden at 550 Madison Ave.
And, of course, there’s the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique itself, on the corner of 57th Street, filled with floral-themed jewels (the Frivole and Flowerlace collections come to mind), just in time for Mother’s Day.
Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 59th Streets; Fifth Avenue Blooms
DREAM STATE: “Sleeping Beauties” awakens at The Costume Institute
After loads of hype, including several days of members-only previews and the Met Gala fundraiser the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s spring exhibition — “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” — finally opens to the public today (through Sept. 2).
More than 200 pieces spanning four centuries and “connected thematically through nature” are on view.
Divided into earth, air and water sections, they include creations from the likes of Charles James, Iris van Herpen, Dries Van Noten, Philip Treacy, Christian Dior, Marni and Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The “sleeping beauties” in question are garments too delicate to be put on a mannequin. I
nstead, they’re displayed in glass cases.
1000 Fifth Ave.; Met Museum
ROOM SERVICE: Jayson Home pops up at Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf’s 7th floor loft (that gorgeous space with the huge skylight) has been temporarily transformed into Jayson Home’s New York digs (through Aug. 19).
If the name sounds familiar, it might be because the Chicago-based retailer of all things home tested Manhattan waters about seven years ago with a nine-month pop-up in SoHo.
This time the label has moved uptown, with 1,000 square feet devoted to its signature maximalist style in a layered combination of antique, vintage and new furniture and accessories.
The selection will evolve as pieces are sold and new ones take their place.
Best yet, it’s also shoppable online.
754 Fifth Ave.; Jayson Home
BLING RING: “Ice Cold” hip-hop jewelry at the American Museum of Natural History
Billed as an exhibit that “celebrates hip-hop’s cultural influence through spectacular custom-made jewelry worn by some of its most iconic stars,” Ice Cold features dozens of seriously encrusted pieces worn by legends including Slick Rick, The Notorious B.I.G., Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky and many more (through Jan. 5).
More than just a potentially blinding demonstration of OTT wealth and craftsmanship, the show is a very cool journey tracing the 50-year evolution of jewelry in hip-hop, curated by Vikki Tobak (journalist and author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History”) with co-curators Kevin “Coach K” Lee (founder of Quality Control Music), and Karam Gill (filmmaker behind “Ice Cold,” the 2021 documentary series).
Bonus: the exhibit is included with general admission and is in the museum’s Halls of Gems and Minerals, meaning a host of other rock stars, albeit in their unadulterated states, are on display just steps away.
200 Central Park West; American Museum of Natural History
FAIR PLAY: The European Fine Art Fair at the Armory
The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) is on show at the Park Avenue Armory (through May 14).
Not familiar?
It’s a very sophisticated mash-up of about 90 international galleries showcasing exceedingly spendy art, design and jewelry in an undeniably stunning historic building.
There are a slew of recognizable names involved — Gagosian, David Zwirner and the like — but what makes walking the aisles so interesting are offerings from lesser-known galleries without New York City outposts.
Snacks and adult beverages are available, and the people watching is top-notch.
643 Park Ave.; TEFAF
ELEVATOR PITCH: Bar Tontine tops The Wall Street Hotel
The Financial District is becoming quite the destination for rooftop soirées, and tomorrow sees the debut of a luxe venue with spectacular views: Bar Tontine at The Wall Street Hotel.
The 15th floor indoor-outdoor space is the latest from JF restaurants, the hospitality group founded by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, who is also behind the hotel’s uber-popular Lounge on Pearl lobby bar, as well as its main restaurant, La Marchande.
(Fun fact: Tontine is the name of the Beaux Arts building that houses the hotel. It has a fascinating 200-plus year history.)
Bar Tontine will offer a menu of “elevated snacking items” and has partnered with La Fête du Rosé on an excellent selection of French wines and with Fever-Tree on a “build your own sparkling cocktail” menu.
The interiors of the space, previously used for private events, were designed by Rose Ink Workshop and inspired by the famed Maison de Verre (“House of Glass”) in Paris.
Tontine will be open Wednesday through Saturday, but this weekend they’re making an exception for Mother’s Day.
88 Wall St.; The Wall Street Hotel
