Before you fire off nasty emails to me as a couple of you (2 out of 12,000?) have felt compelled to do so in recent days, this is a WINDOW SHOPPING post. We didn’t splurge on Madison Avenue like some dictator’s family might, or fabulously loaded South American drug lord’s mistress, or Oprah Winfrey/Lindsey Lohan, for that matter. But it’s just as good to go for a stroll and see everything that is on offer. Anyone, loaded or not, could have done this stroll if they were in New York and wanted to. And a big fat YES, we DID enjoy our stroll. Of the shops shown here, I think we only spent time at Hermes, where Mrs. MM ALWAYS enters to inhale the aroma of good leather. And the MM tip here? Go to the basement where the riding boots, saddles and whips are, the aroma is strongest there. And no kinky thoughts, please. The saddles at Hermes can cost more than a good horse, or a small car, for that matter, but they are absolutely the most luxurious leather goods I have ever laid eyes on. If you happen to ride or know horse-speak, the sales staff are particularly helpful (you can test a whip, for instance :)… My favorite window on Madison Avenue on Christmas Eve must have been the one at Dolce & Gabbana, up top and down below. It wasn’t the clothes or leather goods, it was a table set with linen and bursting with flowers (casablancas and roses), fruits, nuts, marzipan, candelabras, etc. in celebration of the bounty (and excess) of the commercialized Christmas season. The stuff was fresh, real, gorgeous. I’m sure a designer spent many hours getting this to look like it was just thrown together. It was a show stopper. I took several photographs and lingered for minutes directly in front of it. A few days later, I walked passed the store to get a second look, but the spread was gone…
Most of the other stores featured the products themselves, and here is a smattering of the windows in or just around Madison Avenue…
But first, start off your stroll with a Bellini (champagne and white peach juice) at Harry Cipriani, the outpost of the venerable Harry’s Bar in Venice, this one on Fifth Avenue, near the Pierre Hotel.
All that strolling/walking makes one think about your shoes…how about some lace-ups at John Lobb?
Or if that is too formal, maybe a pair of red Gucci loafers?
Or if really in for a splurge, some Berlutis…
…which one can get at Barney’s. A department store that had as it’s window theme a “greener” Christmas, using all recycled materials… it was incredibly CLEVER and really quite innovative, if you ask me.
For the ladies, perhaps a red Swarovski crystal encrusted minaudiere at Judith Leiber…
…to go with that swanky red gown you picked out at Donna Karan.
And finally, don’t forget some new bold-red accented China at Hermes… Up next, Christmas Eve dinner at sister’s place!!!
22 Responses
Thanks for the post, parang naka-pasyal na rin ako sa NY. Maybe someday when I visit my brother in Canada, I can stroll in NY. Its cheaper kasi to go Canada through NY (my brother though would have to drive 1 1/2 hrs. to cross the boarder and pick-me up). Ewan ko lang if I would shop for anything, kasi I am one of those who can’t just go window shopping, I have to buy it if I see it, pero since I cannot afford it, sus, I will just salivate on those ice and then feel depressed that I go home with nothing.. Ayyyyy..
Drool!Drool! Thanks for sharing your photos of exciting NYC.
Wow! I’ve never been to NY. Thanks for the virtual experience MM.
It’s nice to get an eye view from a well traveled ex-ibanker who has a ‘nak for the nice things in life. Thanks for these posts. Yours is a life to envy.
How about a post from Rockefeller Center and what it was filled with this holiday season?
How about a post from Rockefeller Center too? A picture from the ferry up the Hudson River and NYC skyline?
now now MM I have been contemplating whether to fly to NY, Boston, Aspen or SF for my well deserved off in few weeks… looking at the photos and with food in mind as well, NY seems so tempting…..
I love those hermes china last work was all Hermes, Bacarrat, Christofle
I can tell you and your family are having a blast! Here in the land of liberty, honey and cream – it is free to stroll and browse through your heart’s content and I love the ladies’ room at Pierre Hotel. Whenever I walk in Hermes I never failed to take a sample of their female fragrances in sachets and as soon as I get home I open one and keep it in my closet that will permeate through my clothes! Since you’re on 5th Avenue did you stop by any Dean and Deluca at the Rockefeller Center?
the only time i was ever in new york, i was there for a six- weeks christmas break. it was one of my most enjoyable christmases ever. reading these posts brings me back to all the fun, excitement, energy and cold of that time. thanks, MM and family!
Thanks for the great post MM! looking forward to your exciting posts on your holiday meals =)
They are truly a feast on the eyes!
Wonderful, wonderful post, Mr MM!!! Thanks for showing us around NY this time of the year!
Window shopping is truly one of life’s best simple pleasures.
Anyway, MM, I don’t think you need to justify, much less apologize for, any of your awesome posts. There’s no need. No need at all.
Whether you window shop, or shop-shop, whether it’s at Hermès or at Wal-Mart, it’s all good. No apologies, no guilt, nada. Even if you posted that you and Mrs. MM bought 3 pairs of Hermès riding boots each! I mean as long as you didn’t steal to get it, you should feel free to spend your money as you wish, AND blog about it, without listening to the whiners and scolds or attempting to placate them.
Anyway, great pics as always! Did you order a pair of made-to-measure shoes at John Lobb? hehehehe… The Hermès-owned stores of JL are a relative bargain compared to the original store in London. 2,000 dollars instead of 2,000 pounds. tee hee
I love those china pieces from Hermes!
MM…..You definitely have the touch to “bring us along with you” on your Window Shopping tour. Your post brings back memories of the simple joy of window shopping when I was taking my culinary course at ICE, or when the mrs. and I were just seriously dating and our budget only permitted us to window shop (hahahaha).
How about taking us on a market tour to Fulton? or even the grocery store, bakery, deli, or cafe in your neighborhood. MOMA, Rockfeller, etc.
And for those who snob their nose on this wonderful tour, show them that NYC also have some great street food outside Time Warner building or the Burger stand in Central Park, etc.
THANKS FOR BRINGING US ALONG WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
ahhh… what money can buy… window shopping (on your blog) is nice too – and free!
for a guy, you certainly have an eye for beautiful things.
ej, I’ll take your comment as a compliment…didn’t realize good taste was only in the purvue of the females on the planet… :) Artisan, on this short trip, I NEVER even made it to a grocery…though previous trips to NY have featured markets and food extensively. I was at the Time Warner building, but not for the street food, stay tuned for that… susan, they were striking. Fried Neurons, no, didn’t get a pair of JL’s, just looked… Glad to see so many of you are amused by the posts so far…
I just love the pictures! Keep them coming. These are truly eye candy. Window shopping is the best. The nearest I can afford to do this is in HongKong.
Will save up for a NY trip this year hahaha!
That is, if I change my mind about saving up for that rose-gold Patek Philippe twenty4. Haaayyy….
Another reason to work really harder in 2008! :)
D and G does this wonderful over the top food display every year, in contrast to the other stores featuring their goods. We can do one for you next Christmas…
I love the woderful display of fruits, nuts and diff arrays of flowers, it looks so elegant!
You know, I’d like to be a designer / window merchandiser (whatever it is really called). How would I become one?
Thanks for sharing this MM, it is inspiring (at least for me) in so many ways..
window shopping should be an olympic event!! :) thanks for giving us this peek into the NY holiday scene. maybe next time i go to the US i will go to the east coast as well…