The city’s premier shopping fundraiser, Miracle on Madison Avenue, presented by the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District, returns for the 31st year, bringing its inimitable
combination of fashion, philanthropy, and holiday cheer to New York’s most fabulous boulevard. First-timers like Stella McCartney, Derek Lam, and Carolina Herrera join longtime
participants like Ralph Lauren, Bally, and Bonpoint to donate
20 percent of their sales on Saturday, December 2, from 10 am to 5 pm, to the pediatric programs of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Plenty of others will get in on the
festivities too: carolers in 19th-century costume, the famous MSK Caring Canines therapy dogs, and a society photographer shooting holiday portraits. Here is Gotham’s exclusive look at
how to kick off the season in style!
MY MAGICAL MADISON AVENUE: SAMANTHA YANKS
Gotham’s editor-in-chief, Samantha Yanks, starts her holiday shopping at Madison Avenue’s buzzy new stores.
Gotham’s own Samantha Yanks (top left) picks her Madison Avenue faves (clockwise from top left): Tom Ford mirrored room; Balenciaga’s lambskin medium Cart bag, $1,985; Manet clutch from the Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons Masters collection, $1,760; Tom Ford Lip Color in In Deep, $54; de Grisogono’s emerald-and-diamond drop earrings, price upon request; Edie Parker boutique; and Mansur Gavriel’s pop-up store.
“This season is all about glamorous new flagships and pop-up shops along the avenue. To start, it’s hard not to be drawn to the Old Master paintings that practically glow on the façade of the pop-up celebrating the collaboration between Jeff Koons and Louis Vuitton (655 Madison Ave., 917.281.2002). It’s a bold combination of high fashion and high art, and Vuitton has just introduced a second wave of accessories inspired by a new set of painters—Boucher, Turner, Manet, Gauguin, and Monet.
“Mansur Gavriel’s (620 Madison Ave., 212.826.5029) powder-pink pop-up boutique carries not only the brand’s coveted bags and shoes but also a strong selection of ready-to-wear. The soft hues pair perfectly with the bold floral-print shoes from Balenciaga’s (840 Madison Ave., 212.328.1671) latest collection. Its own stark new flagship is one of two must-visit openings this season.
“The other is Tom Ford’s (672 Madison Ave., 212.359.0300) gleaming, architecturally arresting store, which carries the designer’s signature ready-to-wear for men and women. It also has the loveliest mirror-filled nook to try the perfect shade of lipstick for this party-packed season. The boutique delivers the high-dose glamour Ford is famous for.
“Edie Parker (781 Madison Ave., 646.290.7293) launched its first-ever brick-and-mortar boutique on Madison earlier this year, and the signature sparkle of its clutches makes it a must-stop shop during the holidays.
“And if there were one perfect gift wrapped just for me, it would be the diamond-and-emerald earrings from de Grisogono’s (700 Madison Ave., 212.439.4220) new gem of a boutique.”
MY MAGICAL MADISON AVENUE: STEVE GOLD
Luxury real estate broker Steve Gold, star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York, picks the places to be on Madison Avenue.
Luxury broker Steve Gold’s (LEFT) million-dollar Madison Avenue destinations include (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) the Met Breuer, Tom Ford’s flagship store, Freds restaurant at Barneys New York, the Hermès men’s shop, and the Diptyque boutique.
“The Hermès men’s store (690 Madison Ave., 212.308.3585) is an ideal place to find a carefully curated selection of luxury home goods. Hermès has the most luxurious blankets. I love the Croquis de Tigre, Cheval Pixel Tartan, and the classic Avalon.
“I stumbled upon the original Diptyque (971 Madison Ave., 212.879. 3330) at 34 Saint-Germain in Paris many years ago and was thrilled to learn about the Madison Avenue location. I love their classic scents, such as Ambre, and, of course, Le Redouté from the 34 Collection.
“I am in love with Tom Ford’s (672 Madison Ave., 212.359.0300) outerwear this season. I would seriously wear every piece, especially the light-green cashmere-suede zip-pocket jacket and the long black peacoat with shearling. The grand spiral staircase leading to the men’s department is one of the most stunning I’ve ever seen.
“Anyone who watches MDLNY knows I love a good tee. James Perse (1128 Madison Ave., 917.267.7264) is my go-to. I love the low-maintenance, high-fashion aesthetic.
“I was enthralled by the recent Ettore Sottsass design exhibit at the Met Breuer (945 Madison Ave., 212.731.1675), and the museum’s Flora Bar is a great place to eat on Madison. The concrete-lined atrium, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bar, and elements of walnut, bronze, and blackened steel set the stage for a stylish lunch.
“And you can’t go wrong with a quick bite at Freds (660 Madison Ave., Ninth fl., 212.833.2200). It gives me an excuse to shop at Barneys’ home section!”
THE HIGH SHINE LIFE
Upgrade your basic black staples with materials that shimmer and sheen—and while you’re at it, do the same for everyone on your holiday shopping list
CLOCKEISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kendall Jenner radiates glamour in Michael Kors’s Fall 2017 runway show; 4" x 6" silver-plated tray with graffiti motif, $250, Christofle; Men’s velvet blouson jacket, $2,795, Bally; Tassel pendant necklace, $155, Alexis Bittar; Wolf Acrylic Ribbon clutch, $1,595, Edie Parker; Bernie loafers with metal tip, $810, Giuseppe Zanotti; Ellis patent-leather boots, $595, Rag + Bone; Floatingdiamond cufflinks, $7,500, Nirav Modi; Elle striped tuxedo trousers, $495, Anne Fontaine; Falabella Box shoulder bag, $1,250, Stella McCartney; Louxor vase, $990, Baccarat; Alligator Boston bag, $25,000, Ralph Lauren; Lansing sweater, $698, Tory Burch; Paulina sunglasses in shiny gold, $565, Morgenthal Frederics.
