The style of New York women...

Dear readers,

Here we post the last piece I wrote for Why Not Magazine, so you can read it with no inconveniences and without having to enlarge the image we published in the Press section. We hope you like it!

I've always loved to see how New York women get fixed and dressed.

In spite of being basically practical, they do not neglect their personal style. They may go walking to work in sneakers, but they hide their heels to use in the office in a convenient bag.

They also go to the hair salon a couple of times a week (this is why it's possible to find salons that open early in the morning and close late in the evening, with moderate pricing). And they never forget a good manicure, thanks to the many "nail centers" spread around town, where a never-ending number of Asian girls work non stop, even on Sundays and holidays.

Most Newyorkers work hard and take conscious care in a personal style to pair their job. Buying clothes is not only a pleasure but almost "mandatory."

In some cities, trends are born in the streets. New York is definitely one of them.

Walking around this cosmopolitan city is a chance to be witness of how runway fashion hits the stores and from there it gets adopted and adapted to personal style. This process is totally natural.

When I go to Barney's or Bergdorf, I always love watching the elegant newyorkers carrying the lastest Louboutins or Manolos (shoes are their obsession) and Chanel jackets, but not with jeans, as Parisian women, but with tailored skirts or pants.

At noon, the famous "ladies who lunch" make up for their fame and seeing them at Cipriani on Fifth Ave. is a pleasure for the eyes of the fashionistas. Their elegance is a mixture of American classicism  with French design and a touch of Italian fantasy.

But the place to truly see the Newyorkers at large is at the famous benefit Galas or Dinners, which are a trademark of New York's social life.

While in Paris I never know for sure the "dress code" of a party or dinner (in fact, I have decided to invent my own), in Manhattan long party dresses are a beautiful obligation. And those events are the pinnacle of the great designers, such as Oscar de la Renta (the King of the Party Dress), Carolina Herrera, Monique L'Huillier, Rem Accra or Bagdley Mischka.

Jewels are the accessory that define the status of the bearer and, above all, that of her husband. 

Since "Sex & the City," the eyes of the world have been fixed on New York. Like a giant theatre, passers-by are always alert to what others are wearing and they never miss the chance to compliment with a "nice outfit," "what a beautiful dress" or "I like your coat."

That's New York!

Photo credits: Cristian Mitrani