Haute 5 Places to Shop in NYC: Procrastinatorʼs First Aid Kit for the Holidays

Keeping pace with end of the year deadlines and non-stop social calendar of holiday cocktail parties and soirees is challenging enough, but add holiday shopping to the mix and it could be a recipe for disaster. Haute Living has chosen Manhattan/Long Island shopping turfs so no matter where your office or holiday destination may lie you have a procrastinators first aid kit of the key holiday must-haves to remedy the situation.

Fifth Avenue

“Our New York flagship store is the most tangible symbol of Tiffany & Co. worldwide,” says Michael J. Kowalski, CEO Tiffany & Co. Burst through the grand doors, beneath the green clock and find the key to the heart of your very own Holly Golightly. Deemed the cornerstone of Manhattanʼs most fashionable shopping district, Tiffany & Co offers a multilevel shopping experience with gifts for the entire family. Notable for this holiday season is the Tiffany Keys Collection pendants. From sterling silver to diamonds and platinum, the collection is iconic, stackable, and best of all come in the signature Tiffany Blue Box. An ageless accessory and universal symbol of classic elegance, the Hermes Scarf is always a perfect gift beneath the mistletoe. Four stories at this Madison Avenue Hermes of Paris Flagship location offer an array of elegant silks, fragrances, housewares, furniture, and the occasional Birkin.

Tiffany & Co. is located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 57th Street; 212.755.8000

Hermes is located at 691 Madison Ave.; 212.751.3181

West Village

Among a montage of colors and bright, bold packaging, Bond No. 9 at 399 Bleecker St. offers an array of fragrances to make the olfactory system tingle. An aromatic tour of New York in 50 ml falcons, the “I love New York Double Decker” is this yearʼs definitive gift, priced at $16,000 and tucked within a keepsake box that captures the emerging new minimalist luxury trend. The gift offers a range of signature eau de parfum of the Downtown series including: West Side, The Scent of Peace, Chinatown, Fire Island, Bleecker Street, Little Italy, Chelsea Flowers, Wall Street, Nuits de Noho, and Coney Island. (www.bondno9.com) Brunello Cucinelli at 379 Bleecker is a cashmere-lovers epicenter. Catering to both men and women, the tone is set upon color palettes of neutral shades of gray, charcoal, camel, and dark brown. From head to toe, everything cashmere is offered and this yearʼs gift contenders range from the 100 percent cashmere Tuxedo to suede wingtip boots with cashmere laces and a cashmere cable knit sweater and 100 percent cashmere socks in between. French-style collars, tweeds, and Churchill coats complete the looks.

Bond No. 9 is located at 399 Bleecker St. (11th Street); 212.633.1641

Brunello Cucinelli is located at 379 Bleecker St.; 212.627.9202

Meatpacking

Entering the portico of this department store boutique with the blessings of a well-attired doorman, Jeffrey New York offers a one-stop shop with la creme de la creme of luxury brands. The swap shop of opulence includes Balenciaga, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, YSL, Lanvin, and Missoni, just to name a few. A meticulously chosen selection allows for a fool proof shopping experience with gifts that are edgy and highly desirable. A soft glow of red emanates onto Horatio Street from the Christian Louboutin boutique. Sexy stilettos and a fire red soles will surely score a mistletoe kiss. A favorite hotspot among socialites and celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman and the Olsen twins, shop from this season’s collection or Resort 2010.

Jeffrey New York is located at 449 West 14th St. between 9th and 10th; 212.206.1272

Christian Louboutin is located at 59 Horatio St.; 212.255.1910

Soho

Tis the season for reading and brushing up on 709 pages of luxury retrospective. Among many gifts at the Prada Flagship store in Soho look for PRADA, edited by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli. Much more than a mere coffee table book, this editorial marvel offers 3,885 thumbnail photos of “looks” at Prada runway shows since 1987, photos of Prada on the red carpet, on the street, images of every womenswear and menswear campaign since 1987 and essays on the meaning of luxury in cultures across the globe. Touch of rebel and touch of rocker, Barbara Bui Soho boutique is the only shop in the country for the masterpieces of this Parisian designer. Studs, fringe, zippers, and leather are a tough, chic addendum to the ultimate wardrobe. Notable is the silver link bracelet with emerald green eyed snakeʼs head detail.

Prada is located at 575 Broadway; 212.334.8888

Barbara Bui is located at 115 Wooster St.; 212.625.1938

Long Island

If Cartier, David Yurman, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, Bottega Veneta, and Oscar de la Renta strike a jolly chord, the Americana Manhasset Mall offers it all. Take a trip in the Roadster for some fresh air to this strip mall on luxury steroids. Visit the concierge services for a personal shopper and find the best of holiday 2009. Keep your eyes open for Long-Islanders Billy Joel and the Baldwins, and black card drawn for the ultimate extensive one-stop shopping extravaganza remedy for the procrastinating holiday shopper.

American Manhasset is located at 2060 Northern Blvd.; 516.627.2277