British fashion designer Priya Ahluwalia loves New York, whether she’s there to walk the famous steps at the Met Gala, or for fun with family and friends. These are her recommendations for living it up in the Big Apple.
What’s your favourite destination and why?
I love New York in general, but the Lower East Side has so much character. When I’m there, I feel like I’ve gone back in time. It’s like the New York that I saw in the films when I was growing up.
When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?
In May for the Met Gala. I stayed for a couple of nights, as I designed Aimee Lou Wood and Gabby Thomas’s looks. I saw both of them and my best friend came with me to be my pretend assistant for the week. You’ve got to bring family where you can. And it was important on this trip because it was really emotional for me, as it was such big career milestone.
Where do you like to stay there?
The Ludlow Hotel — it feels historic with all the brass touches. I like hotels that lean into the classic, golden age New York with their design.
What has been your favourite meal there?
Tacos from the Birria-Landia truck. I’d heard it was one of the best in NYC and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I loved the Tijuana-style beef birria.
What are your three favourite restaurants?
Wildair is a great restaurant for sharing plates and the cocktails are amazing. They do great shrimp and Wagyu steak too. And Kiki’s is a Greek restaurant which does big portions, so I recommend going there when you’re hungry. The mixed grill platter is 10 out of 10. Double Chicken Please makes very experimental cocktails that almost taste like food. There’s one inspired by Japanese cold noodles. I was apprehensive but they’re delicious and the food is great too.
What is the one unmissable thing you recommend doing?
Go to the Tenement Museum. It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. I’ve been four times on different guided tours. It’s two tenements with different apartments in the Lower East Side in their original state. There are historic home tours and you can see the home of an Irish family, a black family, a Chinese family. You learn about their story and how they migrated to America. It’s so moving. One of the tours had my mum and I in tears. You learn how people were treated in history and you can see where they slept, where they worked — you learn so much about them.
Where do you like to let your hair down?
Attaboy, which is hard to find, but it’s a gem of a bar with a great atmosphere and very strong cocktails. Or go to Lullaby which has always had great music when I’ve visited, often played on vinyl. There’s a sexy atmosphere so it’s perfect for a date night.
I also love Bar Revival, a more laid-back bar. Try the Electric Jungle and Around the World cocktails.
Is there a hidden gem you are willing to share?
The Back Room, which is a speakeasy that actually existed during the prohibition era.
Who do you call to have a good time there?
My little brother, Ryan, is my favourite person to call. He lives in Upper Manhattan.
I try to manufacture trips to New York quite a bit because it’s always fun to see him and we always end up having a really good night out. I also love going out with Danielle Kwateng, who is the executive editor of Teen Vogue — she’s fun for a party or for going to dinner.
Favourite shops?
Vintage shopping in the Lower East Side is amazing, and there are these outdoor vintage pop-ups in the street like one under the Bugs Bunny mural on Ludlow Street where I’ve bought a cool vintage bag and some tops.
Your packing essential?
You walk a lot in New York, so take nice shoes that are also comfortable — I’d pack the new Ahluwalia and Puma trainers in black and silver. It’s a seasonal place, but you definitely pound the pavements, so they’re really important.
Which song reminds you of the place?
Juicy by The Notorious BIG or Get Me Home by Foxy Brown and featuring Blackstreet. East Coast rap always reminds me of NYC and when I’m listening to it in my headphones walking past the vintage shops in the Lower East Side, I feel as though I’ve gone through a time machine.
Your dress code for the destination?
People in New York wear incredible jackets, so I always make sure I have a strong jacket or coat depending on the time of the year. Often I wear one from my collaboration with Ganni. It’s a leather patchwork coat, and there were fewer than 50 of them made, and they all sold out so everyone always asks, “Where did you get that?”
The one thing you would bring home as a souvenir?
A great hat! Every single time I go to New York, I buy a hat from World Hats even though I never wear hats. They sell these really old-school Kangol bucket hats and berets. I have about eight! The locals have great hats.
Which building would you like to live in?
One of the traditional apartment buildings on the Lower East Side with the fire escapes running down them. They’ve got double-height ceilings — I can see myself in one of them… Or a brownstone.
Favourite memory from there?
Definitely the Met Gala as a whole — it’s one of my best memories ever. It was an amazing night. I dropped Gabby off at the carpet and then I went for drinks with Aimee afterwards, and the next morning, my friends and I went out and got bacon, egg and cheeses because we were quite hungover.
It was one of the giddiest feelings I’ve ever had in my life to have designed for the Met. We couldn’t stop looking at all the pictures and I couldn’t stop laughing, because I couldn’t believe it had happened. I felt on top of the world.
