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?
Bubbles galore at the Baccarat Hotel, a ballet in a gorgeous historic garden, and a 45-carat diamond hits the auction block.
ON POINTE: Tom Gold Dance at Untermyer Gardens
Tom Gold, a former New York City Ballet soloist, founded his dance company in 2008 and stages performances every year in both traditional and unexpected locations.
Untermyer Gardens Conservatory fits into the latter category.
It’s an absolutely magical spot on the Hudson River in Yonkers, spread over 40 acres with yes, gardens, but also architectural wonders like the Temple of the Sky (a circle of Corinthian columns) and an open-air amphitheatre.
That’s where the performance will take place, on a stone “stage” flanked by two soaring columns topped by sphinxes.
It’s worth the short drive or train ride for the experience of this place, which many have compared to historic European gardens.
Entry to the gardens is free, but the performance is ticketed.
June 15 at 4:30 p.m., tickets $35, TomGoldDance.org
ROCK STARS: Phillips New York Jewels Auction
Fun fact: Phillips often previews items up for auction at their Park Avenue offices.
The upcoming New York Jewels auction will give fans of shiny things the opportunity to check out the goods, up close and personal.
There are 125 lots, and they may not all be on display at any given time, but there’s a good chance of spotting stunners.
Highlights include a selection of colored diamonds from a 45-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond (estimate $2,800,000 – $3,500,000) to an intense green diamond and a pink-brown diamond (both weighing in at over 4 carats each).
There’s plenty of proper jewelry as well, including a Cartier ring with 3.07 carat light blue diamond, a Verdura Toi et Moi ring set with intense yellow and light pink diamonds, and a pair of Bulgari emerald and diamond ear clips.
Viewing Monday – Saturday, through June 11, 32 Park Avenue. Phillips.com
RETAIL THERAPY: Banana Republic opens in SoHo
Banana Republic is going big in SoHo, with a massive new 17,000 square-foot shop spanning two-stories on a classic stretch of Broadway (between Prince and Spring).
The merchandise is a mix of the expected of-the-season fashion and home decor offerings with a few surprises.
Namely, pieces from the company’s (who knew) vintage surplus from the ‘80s and ‘90s, a selection of coffee table books on a variety of stylish subjects, and on-site embroidery to personalize purchases with a monogram or message.
This location also brings the debut of the BR Home showroom and Design Studio, offering interior styling services,
By appointment. 522 Broadway, BananaRepublic.com
BUBBLE UP: Cristal Garden debuts at the Baccarat Hotel
The Baccarat Hotel has joined forces with Cristal, purveyor of extraordinary bubbles, for a summer-long pop-up. It’s location, on the hotel’s al-fresco terrace (temporarily renamed the Cristal Garden) is an intimate, lush experience, designed by master florist Julia Rosa, that truly makes one forget that they’re actually in midtown.
On the menu: Cristal and other Louis Roederer bubbles galore by the bottle or glass, wines and specialty cocktails, all served in that elegant, weighty Baccarat stemware, and decadent bites including a Caviar Mini-Sandwich and Spicy Lobster Roll.
Cristal Garden is open through Labor Day; reservations are strongly recommended.
MAKER’S MARK: Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co.
Exhibition of collections amassed by buzzy people are great, but sometimes it’s the ones from the lesser-known that are more interesting.
This is one of them. Edward C. Moore was a second-generation silversmith born in New York City.
He joined Tiffany & Co. in 1868 and remained their chief silver designer until his death in 1891.
He amassed several awards in the process, as well as a host of collectibles, which he bequeathed to the Met upon his death.
The exhibition will show 180 of what the museum calls “extraordinary examples” from his personal collection, as well as 70 “magnificent silver objects” designed at Tiffany & Co. under his direction.
Through October 20, MetMuseum.org
