rOBYn IN NEw YORk
I’ve been in love with New York City for as long as I can remember, growing up watching movies like “How to lose a guy in ten days” and “breakfast at tiffany’s”, I wished for the day i’d finally set foot in the city that never sleeps myself! When I eventually found out news of a fashion study trip my university was arranging in my second year, I was ecstatic! But when I realised it was a NEW YORK study trip I was over the moon – I was already styling outfits, planning days out and drooling over the thought of American pancakes!! I WAS GOING TO NEW YORK! The concrete jungle where dreams were made of!! I felt like Emily in Paris but rather…
rOBYN IN nEW YORk
After months of planning and excitement, I boarded a flight all the way to JFK Airport. After ten long hours of watching Harry Potter and dreaming of the big apple, I finally arrived in New York City. The spring air was cool and pink blossom trees bloomed over streets of skyscrapers covered in the clouds, reaching hights I didn’t even know were possible! Growing up in the rural countryside of Woburn, I rarely visited London so you can imagine how tiny I felt in NYC!! Honking yellow cabs and the smell of sidewalk hot dogs filled the air as I stepped off the study trip coach and made my way into the Plaza… Ok, it wasn’t the Plaza but what’s the harm in pretending? My classmates and I stayed in the Gallivant Times Square for Six beautiful, chic and adventurous days and embarked on many unforgettable experiences around the City!
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This Journal shows all of my favourite’s places to visit, eat and shop in new York, as well as my outfit choices and recommendations as an official ‘new yorker’. So whether you’re planning on visiting or simply have the dream like I always did, I hope this journal is as magical reading it as it was for me writing it! Grab a cup of tea and join me as I retell my adventure in the city that never sleeps…
DAY ONE
top of the rock
45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111, United States
After unpacking a very large suitcase, my roommate and I took to the streets of New York and found our way through midtown Manhattan to the Rockefeller Centre. Finalized in 1933, the Rockefeller centre was inspired by Art Deco and designed by its lead architect, Raymond Hood. (My love for the movie ‘Elf’ made me suddenly appreciate the beauty of Christmas trees as I severely missed the sight of a giant decorated tree outside the building!) As we eventually entered ‘The Rock’ it was as if I had gone back in time to the 30s due to its beautiful art deco interior and rich historic feel, huge crystal chandlers hung from the lights and golden marble ran along the walls.
Stepping into a beautiful elevator which played the historic story of the Rockefeller on its ceiling, we were taken up 70 floors of nerves to reach the top of the rock!! Each tiny number increasing on the elevator dial reminded me of those unbelievably high skyscrapers filling the spring sky of New York City only hours ago… A tiny bell rang and as I stepped outside the elevator it was as if I was teleported into another world! A dream so beautiful there was absolutely no way I could be living in it! All words had escaped my mind leaving me entirely speechless. Just endless gasps, leaving me in utter awe as I stared out to this city of wonder, magic and beauty. As the sun was setting pink and orange, each light flickered on as the sky slowly dimmed. The city had become a glittering cascade of light, like snow had fallen upon New York leaving nothing but tiny diamonds across the City.
applebee's
BAR & GRILL
234 W 42nd St, New York, NY
10036, United States
DAY TWO
On my first morning waking up waking up in New York I though it was only right to fill a very big hole with nothing but American pancakes! Apple Bees felt like a set from an American sitcom – mirrored tissue boxes, large ketchup/ mustard bottles and a big tv playing ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’! One of my first american experiences was a tasteful one!
I ordered a tower of American pancakes with syrup on the side and it tasted better than I had ever imagined them all my life… And so myself and my roommate returned to Apple Bee’s every morning to order pancakes or waffles with a cup of sugary tea and orange juice!
STATUE OF
liberty
234 W 42nd St, New York, NY, 10036,
Liberty Harbour, United States
After finishing my first American breakfast, we set off downtown and caught a tin looking tube to Greenwich St and paid our respects to the 9/11 memorials before we made our way to the ferry ports. For the first time during my trip, the Statue of Liberty was in full sight, and she was just as beautiful as I thought she’d be! As I waited for the Ferry to board the port, I swung on wooden swings with the Brooklyn bridge staring right at me! I could just about make out ‘I love you’ written by a certain swinging spiderman! Even after being at the literal top NYC and seeing the city skyline, I was still in complete awe at everything. As we boarded ‘the majestic princess’, we finally set sail for the statue of Liberty! Loved and recognised by all, Lady Liberty is a sculpture located on Liberty Island which represents a universal symbol of freedom and justice. The ferry played many New York themed songs like concrete jungle and gasps were shared amongst the crew as we all saw the statue of liberty –
No longer so small sitting on the horizon – but right in front of our eyes! I could see her facial features, her crown and torch and the chains at the bottom of her feet. Seeing the Statue of Liberty was one of the most memorable and beautiful experiences I have ever had, I felt like I was living my New York Dream to its fullest and I will never forget how inspired and passionate I felt as I was right in front of it. Sailing back on the Hudson River, I was switching between watching the Statue and watching the city from the water as it was slowly becoming big again, I could now see all the towers stood together, and it was even more amazing than seeing them up close!
tiffany
AND CO.
I’ve been a lover of Audrey Hepburn since the minute my mum introduced me Breakfast at Tiffany’s when I was a little girl, it was in fact this very movie which had sparked my love for New York City! Seeing Audrey stood in front of the 5th avenue Tiffany’s store wearing a black dress and eating a croissant in a brown bag was the moment I knew one day I needed to go to a city as chic and fabulous as it had looked on tv! And so every time I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s I dreamed of visiting that very street and eating a croissant. As a wandered through the long street of 5th avenue, each building was just as beautiful and luxurious as the rest. Once I had finally arrived at the Tiffany’s store I crossed the road to the exact street Audrey had once stood on to film the introduction scene for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and stood in awe for a few minutes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t wearing a glamours black dress with pearls and a croissant, but it was enough. As I stood on the very street Audrey once stood on I felt so connected with her, the movie and with New York for having such a rich and beautiful cinematic history.
610 5th Ave St, New York
United States
Click Audreys Eye Mask to see one of my favourite concept projects - Audrey x Chanel...
DAY THREE & FOUR
NYC TOURS
banson
On my Second and Third day, me and my classmates came together again for our study trip tour with Banson NYC! – A company specialising in organising tours to provide students with a "real life" experience of the fashion industry. Within our first company tour, we visited a men’s suit company called ‘Suit Supply’ where we completed group styling activities and learnt more about the company values and promotional strategies. Our Second tour was with Paige, a lifestyle fashion company specialising in men’s and womenswear. During our visit we were taught their founding story and the many processes they follow in order to create the best collections for their customers. Each member of Paige presented their career experiences and spoke passionately about their job roles, I particularly related to the graphic designer as she spoke about her time in university and what she wanted for her career.
After a short break, our third tour was with Zero Waste Daniel! A sustainable Fashion brand founded by a sustainable artist experimenting with unwanted scraps of materials. The Final tour that day was Dover Street Market, a luxury Company which sells high end products from a variety of different luxury fashion houses. During our experience inside the beautiful building, we were shown around many visual merchandising sets. We were also introduced to Hip Hop Closet, BruceGlen, Preview textile group, and Frances Valentine on the second day of our tour.
brooklyn
BRIDGE
After an insightful day of industry based learning and practical actives such as group styling, my classmates and I set off on another adventure around the city...
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...We arrived at the foot of the beautiful Brooklyn bridge and spent the sunset evening walking to the other side! With the city in the distance, the bridge looked so fascinating, so surreal! It was one of my favourite memories in NYC.
New York, NY 10038, USA
"and just like that "
cable cars
E 59th St & 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10022
As the sun was setting and the city began to light up, cable cars across the city were next on the list! After two tubes, we finally arrived at Roosevelt Island tramway and hoped on a very large cable car! Like a rocket, we flew through the city like it was space, each twinkling light turning on was another star appearing in the skyline! I never thought New York could be so beautiful in the dark and yet it was! Cable cars were $2.00 each and made a memory worth a million! To end the day right, a New York sized pizza was brought and eaten through the streets of time square.
THROUGH THE CITY
DAY FIVE
central park
THE HEART OF MANHATTAN
New York, 59th Street to 110th Street
Venturing between the Upper West and East sides of the City, I spent the majority of the day walking through the Heart of Manhattan. Central park is , in my opinion, the most beautiful location in NYC! Not just because it’s gorgeous trails, rivers, bridges, and nature, but because of the sense of calm and tranquillity it holds. Despite the city still in view, Central Park takes on an entirely different life from the city as it provides the perfect place to pomade and people watch. Wandering through the cherry blossoms and down woodland trails in my floral dress, I felt like Gisele from Enchanted!
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Central park had opened my eyes to all the chic and glamourous dogwalkers and dogs for that matter! - but showed me a different side to the all-hustle and bustle city runners; Central parks tranquillity creates a beautiful community of people and show cases talent, passion and peace. As I strolled through the park listening to Jazz music being played by a local band and passing baby clubs and exercise groups, I understood why the park is called the Heart of Manhattan – not only because of its location but because it is an area where the people of New York become a community and can express themselves and connect with nature, themselves and with others.
the met
MUSEUM
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
After a beautiful morning in Central Park, It was time for some art in the Afternoon! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest museum in all of America and is one of the most visited art museums in the world. I walked up the familiar MET Gala steps knowing that in 8 day’s time the 2022 Met Gala would commence where I was currently stood!
Showcasing millions of pieces of art ranging from fashion, architecture, oil paintings and sculptures, I admired each corner of art like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. It was incredibly satisfying and truly remarkable to read about each piece of art and the stories behind them, as an artist myself the best part of creating projects is the concept planning and storytelling that accompanies and structures it. It was also very astonishing to see how art has evolved throughout time and how the styles of art can be visibly seen as a result. As I entered the ‘costume institute’, it was like entering a ball filled with mannequins dressed in elaborate gowns from fairy tales. The centre included collections from Alexander McQueen to Balenciaga and exhibited many rows filled with dresses, one I'd notice anywhere, had been previously worn by Taylor Swift at the 2021 Grammy awards. The Met Museum filled my fashion and art loving heart, and I could have spent the whole week wandering through each exhibition! The art gallery inspires passion, emotion, recognition and appreciation and was truly such a magical place to visit.
broadway
MOULIN ROUGE
302 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
One of the most classic New York experiences is to see a show on Broadway! As I wandered through the shimmering lights of the iconic strip, I imagined all the stylish costumes and stars I was about to see in Moulin Rouge! Broadway is such an iconic and huge part of New York’s identity, dating back all the way to 1735 when the first theatre opened on Broadway Street, it has since become one of the most rich and popular destinations in New York. Showcasing elaborate costume designs, unbelievable set designs, amazing acting and dance choreographing, utterly stunning music and scripts. Broadway is a hotspot for the creative industry and presents the world of storytelling and magic to New York! In 1969 there was even a show dedicated to Coco Chanel’s empire, as Katherine Hepburn starred in celebrating her life on stage. Broadway is a place of beauty and creativity for people to experience and watch and for others to act on what they love and put on a show. Moulin Rouge was incredible; the set design was unspeakable! Pink and Red costumes with millions of diamonds and so many feathers made the show even more fabulous!
DAY FIVE
harry potter
NYC STORE
On our final day, we made a few more stops before our flight back to London! As a huge Potterhead I thought it was only right to visit the Harry Potter Store! And what a beautiful sight it was! Whoever said visual merchandising and store interior was important was most defiantly right! I have never been in a store so rich with interior design! I felt as though I had steped into warner bros set from Harry Potter! The experience in the NY store was an incredibly captivating one! (I felt like a child in a park again!!)
935 Broadway, New York, NY 10010, United States
empire state
BUILDING
20 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001, United States
Our final stop was the Empire State Building, The face of New York City! Seeing the city above the clouds was a beautiful goodbye and farewell, and although I had already experienced just about everything in New York I was still at loss for words!
New York never ceases to excite, enchant, and inspire me, I had seen the great wonders of the city that never sleeps, seen fashion in all types of styles and experienced so many incredible emotions that I realised I couldn’t really say goodbye, but a “see you soon” would do…
