Outside All Saint's, on 13th Street

Photo by myself at 13th and Washington Streets in the Meatpacking District.

The facade of the All Saint's clothing store is a neat one, with row upon row of old Singer Featherweight sewing machines.

The machines are the facade; there is no glass. Not sure what they do in mid-winter (!).The old-fashioned aesthetic of the store is ironic, since the clothing is hip and rock star-ish.

For a peek at the All Saint's website, click here.

Related posts: Shopping Til Dropping, on Canal Street, Living in Style, in Williamsburg, and 3-D Billboard, Fifth Avenue.

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Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District

Photo by myself at 13th Street and Washington, in the Meatpacking District.

The area known as the Meatpacking District is photogenic in its own way.

This neighborhood used to be desolate, lined with large warehouses and the occasional bar. In as late as 2003, there were still slaughterhouses here. Now there is a mix of very high end boutiques and restaurants.

Every neighborhood has a BID, or Business Improvement District. Businesses unite and contribute money to improve the streets by adding signage and street furniture. Events are scheduled. Graffiti is removed.

New York is commerce driven. The more inviting the streets are, the more customers are likely to visit your store and the more sales will result. And so on.

I posted about BIDs earlier, here.

Related posts: The Truth in Advertising, in the East Village, Pasted Up, in the Meatpacking District and Abandoned Lot, East Village.

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In the Shadow of the Standard Hotel, on the West Side

Photo by myself below the Standard Hotel, at West 13th and Washington Streets.

Way, way, way over on the far west side, tucked under The High Line and the towering Standard Hotel, is a giant piece of public art.

The sculpture was created by the street artist named Kaws. It is only 16 feet tall, however seems much taller. Influences from Mickey Mouse can be seen in the 'gloves'. (The artist started his career as a freelancer at Disney).

People were eating and relaxing nearby in the gorgeous weather. The Standard is a super cool building that straddles The High Line, the elevated public park. Rates at The Standard vary from about $450 to $2,200 per night.



Related posts: Public Art and Other Freebies, Portrait of a Young Man, Without a Home and Portrait of FIve New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side.

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Pasted Up in the Meatpacking District

Photo by myself around Ninth Avenue and West 13th Street, in the Meatpacking District.

This part of town has become filled with large expensive clothing boutiques and large bar/restaurants that stay open very late. Many old metal canopies still exist, leftover from an earlier time.

The Meatpacking District used to be gritty, authentic and quirky. Parts are still quirky but seem to be almost preserved under glass. Many residents have long been priced out of the neighborhood.

I hope no one ever paints over the graffiti.

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I cannot resist posting a link to New York Magazine's coverage of a street fight between a pedicab driver and cab driver. There's also video of the entire incident, which took place in the middle of a busy Midtown street. Incredible!

Click here for the short article and video.

Related posts: Meatpacking District in Black and White, Art for the Masses and Abandoned Lot, East Village.

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Meatpacking District in Black and White

Photo by myself in the meat packing district, around 14th Street and 10th Avenue. A visitor across the way consults a map.

There are many portions of New York that still have cobblestones on the street. A durable material that looks great, it's a little tough on high heels.

This area is known for pricey clothing stores and trendy restaurants that stay open until very late. Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen are among the designers who have their boutiques here.

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It's not hard to imagine meatpacking district looked like in pre-industrial times, with horse drawn wagons and garbage in the streets.

Though touristy in its own expensive way, this is one of the few neighborhoods in Manhattan that doesn't have a couple Starbucks!

Related posts: Confronting Reality on TV, Times Square, NYC, and Lost In A Crowd.

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