Robertson and Bleecker - A Tale of Two City Streets.
Robertson and Bleecker – A tale of two city Streets
It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. Paris Hilton is behind bars paying her debt to society, but George Bush is still in office. There are bittersweet realities all around us in 2007. The dollar has never been weaker in the global economy – but the luxury goods market has never seen a stronger surge in U.S.
New York and L.A. If something is not happening in both cities or really happening in both – it isn’t happening. Lets face it. New York sets the tone in the U.S. with fashion and L.A. sets the tone for the world with motion pictures and television.
In the middle of both cities there are the ultimate addresses for luxury. New York has Madison and 5th Avenue. L.A. has Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd. They are tried and true and the Mecca for Japanese tourists with deep pockets and every starry-eyed teenage girl from Syracuse to Sydney.
For those with a bit more adventure or style that is a little less in your face there are other places to shop. New York has SOHO and TRIBECA, L.A. has West Hollywood and Santa Monica.
Both towns also have a single street that whose name says it all. In an instant they convey a cool in the know attitude and a hipster vibe that has attracted Luxury, Celebrity, and Authority. Authority at least in the areas of Luxury and Celebrity.
Robertson
What used to be a quick way to get from Wilshire up to Sunset is now a destination all on its own. There are designer boutiques from home furnishing to runway. True street cred goes to Lisa Kline who was a pioneer on the strip. She has also been outspoken about her disdain for the emergence of Major luxury brands. 
Namesake neighborhood restaurant – The Ivy. Hollywood legend that is the birth place of the perfect paparazzi photo op over lunch.
News Café is there as well. You know.. from Miami. Its not the same idea, but it has the name for the tourists.
Kitson has the Kitch and the press following. It is now the store to shop on Robertson and say you were there. That is my issue with Robertson overall, it feels more like a “been here” checkmark than a real experience. Maybe Lisa Kline is right.
Bleecker
One of the longer and more winding streets in New York was just another sleepy street that stretches from the West Village to the Village proper.
Truth be told it was Marc Jacobs who put the street on the map for fashion folks. My sources tell me actually it was Jacobs’ business partner who has the eye for real estate, trends, and obviously a good business deal. 10 years Prior the duo had also restructured SOHO as the place to shop for designer frocks when they opened the Marc Jacobs collection store just below Houston.
The charm of Bleecker is that the stores are smaller and are reminiscient of smaller European boutiques. The concept – again introduced by MJ was so charming it caused a sensation. Marc now has three stores – Marc Marc Jacobs Men, Marc Marc Jacobs Women and his signature accessory store. (although as of late that store looks more like a Ricky’s love pharmacy. MJ is having a hiccup in his accessory collection)
Next there is Ralph Lauren who has a collection Men’s and Women’s store as well as the cult collection of RRL. If you don’t know those denim pieces from RRL, you should. All the styles are made exclusively for two stores in the U.S. It is the closest thing to couture denim you will find.
Of course you want to know about the cupcakes! Magnolia bakery was the cutest little neighborhood spot that all my friends went to on quite nights in NYC to get a cupcake and literally chew the fat. That is until Sex & The City went into syndication. Thanks
SJ! NOW, there is a line down the block daily. Its as sold out as Kitson or the Ivy.
The namesake restaurant is by far Miracle Grill. This slice of southwest heaven has the best burger in all of NYC. I don’t know what they do to that beef to make it so tasty – but it magic. As are their world famous catfish tacos. The only reason I can bring myself to let the secret out is that I hear it is closing.
At the end of the day, I have to give my usual NY - LA sum up. L.A. is beautiful and a great place to live, BUT New Yorker's just seem to own their style - in L.A. everyone rents.
