elevate TREND otels are the new nightclubs. Just ask Studio 54 co-creator Ian Schrager, the Pied Piper of the pretty people, who recently debuted The New York Edition on once-desolate and semi-sketchy Madison Square Park. Now, I’ve practically moved into The Edition’s lobby. Where else can I double kiss fashion VIPs such as Iman, Linda Fargo, Adam Lippes, Fern Mallis, Max Osterweis of SUNO, Mazdack and Zanna

How cool Manhattanites have Rassi and Jenne Lombardo? Not to mention taken over the city’s chicest Rosario Dawson, Stefano Tonchi, Marilyn BY PETER DAVIS Photograph by Myrna Suárez Minter, Curtis Kulig and more willowy models exclusivley for elevate I’m also buddies with Ben Pundole, who makes

ace is the place “After I get a trendy trim at Rudy’s Barbershop next door, I fight for my right to party in The the right faces. Tip: Befriend Ben. Ace’s massive, perfectly antiqued lobby,” the author says. Right now.

38 SUMMER/FALL 2015 elevate 39 he Edition is just one lobby. Be brutal—kids (meaning under stop on ’s 30) with bushy beards and Pendleton hot, hot haute shirts tap on iPads as if they work in social circuit. When mission control (but are really just I want to hobknob updating their Tinder profiles). And with the hipoisie, I the mission at The Ace is to look cool camp out at The Ace. while doing absolutely nothing. The And when my movie star friends are in long tables, where you can pretend to Ttown, they’re always chez The Mercer— work, and worn-in couches are never slipping out the side door to avoid empty. Who needs a job when you can the pesky paparazzi on Prince Street, just hang out and look cool? hungry like wolves for a money shot of Near the Ace is The NoMad, Karl Lagerfeld strolling avec Pharrell. which feels like the spoiled-rotten, Another chum of mine, Sean designer-label-obsessed cousin of MacPherson, has practically cornered The Ace. Designed by the legendary the market on hotel chic. Sean owns Jacques Garcia, there is a distinctly The Jane, The Maritime, The Bowery, fancy French feel to The NoMad. The Ludlow and The Marlton, where Think soaring ceilings, shiny gilt the front lobby is like the living room of detailing and embroidered raw silk. your most stylish friend. During Fashion When my Euro friends want to meet Week, the comfy chairs around the up, the NoMad is my go-to for potently fireplace are prime real estate occupied sweet cocktails and great pretty- by the likes of Waris Ahluwalia, Parker people-watching. Last time I was Posey and assorted Vo g u e editors, their there, I sat between Chelsea Clinton Birkin bags bursting with invitations. and Brad Goreski. Talk about a mix. During Fashion Week, The Marlton’s comfy chairs are prime real estate occupied by Vogue editors, their Birkin bags bursting with invitations.

The best part of hotel-hopping? You I absolutely adore both Standard don’t need to book a room. Just follow hotels. The Standard, Highline, is like my lead and join the club. Disney World for scenesters, replete The New York Edition is the latest with multiple attractions, from the cool kid on the block. The sleek, white- Biergarten to the Boom Boom Room, out minimalist chic of the long lobby which unquestionably is the best- bar is grand and glam and big and bold, looking nightclub in . In with a ’90s kind of vibe—and I mean the winter, I skate on the pop-up rink that in the best way possible. The ’90s outside the entrance, then sip spiked were a blast, right? Like all Ian Schrager hot cocoa under heat lamps outside. projects, The Edition employs a very And the Standard Grill is reliably sexy staff—perfectly matched to the yummy and dependably fun. Make sure PYTs who lounge around the lobby as to get a booth to see and be seen. The if they own it. Just search photographer man to know is Joey Jalleo. Start by Billy Farrell’s site to see party pics of all following and flirting with Joey on social The ludlow, s’il vous plaÎt the boldfaced names that party there, media: His handle is @Stan D’Ard. The Ludlow—and its sizzlin’ restaurant, from nightlife queen Susanne Bartsch Handsome hotelier André Balazs also Dirty French—reside in the cooler-by-the- to art star Daniel Arsham. runs The Standard, East Village, in millisecond Lower East Side. No, Dorothy, you’re not in Portland Cooper Square. The mood is a teensy anymore. You’re in hipster heaven, more East Village grunge-glam—Purple a.k.a. The . After I get a editor Olivier Zahm, controversial trendy trim at Rudy’s Barbershop next photographer Terry Richardson and door, I fight for my right to party in model/singer Karen Elson all can be

The Ace’s massive, perfectly antiqued found in the lush garden of the eatery GATES SUSAN

40 SUMMER/FALL 2015 elevate 41 Narcissa, which is naturally picture- Bushwick), all MacPherson’s spots have perfect for those very important very social scenes. I love bumping into Instagram moments. Honestly, people, rock star friends like Courtney Love at if you don’t Instagram your chicness, The Bowery when she’s tearing through it’s like it never happened. town like a fabulous tornado. Another new joint is The Ludlow, Speaking of famous friends, The MacPherson’s hotel in the cooler-by- Mercer is the monarch of movie stars— the-millisecond Lower East Side (LES). and also the original gangster when it Like his other properties, The Ludlow comes to glam hotels. The lobby scene has that artfully executed, well-worn is very private (they sometimes ask patina that tricks your eye into thinking people if they’re staying in the hotel the place has been around for decades, when ordering a cappuccino, so act like when it actually opened last year. The you live there, which Karl Lagerfeld restaurant Dirty French is delish, and does when in NYC). Look! There’s the Moroccan-inspired outdoor patio Marc Jacobs with Grace Coddington, is ground zero for reed-thin models in having high tea. And Tilda Swinton Acne jeans chain-smoking. The brand is sipping champagne with fashion new penthouse bar is the holy grail of designer Maria Cornejo! Does it get the whole building. Always be photo- chicer than that? Mais non! For a similar ) ready. MacPherson’s wife, Rachelle, scene, stroll down to Tribeca and grab NOMAD the beautiful rooms are empty runs the party site Guest Of A Guest a leather chair at The Greenwich. The New York Edition (TOP); Ace Hotel and no one wants an unflattering photo Robert De Niro owns the joint and (ABOVE); The NoMad Hotel (OPPOSITE) floating around the Internet. If the the drawing room is like hanging out all shimmer in wait for Gotham’s coolest. LES seems as far away as Seattle (or in a movie mogul’s loft, gargantuan art ); BENOIT LINERO ( HOTEL

books and movie stars such as Michelle ACE Williams included. Like The Mercer, The Greenwich is très privée. It’s as if Tilda Swinton is sipping champagne the hotel slipped a “Do Not Disturb” with fashion designer Maria Cornejo. sign on the front door to keep out the riffraff—or anyone who doesn’t have an

Does it get chicer than that? Oscar on their mantelpiece. ( THOMPSON LYLE DOUGLAS

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