Innovative Designer David Watkins Talks NYC Hotspots

David Watkins, the innovative founder of Adopted which fuses fashion and function with their sleek cell phone covers and co-founder of Caeden—the luxury audio brand, talks to Haute Living about his New York favorites.

What is your “go to” place for coffee?
The McNally Jackson Bookstore Cafe on Prince. 52 Prince Street

What is your favorite things to do on the weekend?
Even if it is outside of NYC – Cooking brunch for friends at my apartment in the East Village – Rock climbing indoors at Brooklyn Boulders or outside in the Shawangunks. Taking inspiration trips to New York’s galleries and museums.

What are three things every visitor to NYC should know?
New Yorkers are not rude, they are just in a hurry!  Stand on the right, pass on the left. Avoid stopping in the middle of crowded sidewalks and you just may get a smile. To get a full New York experience, you may need to utilize the disco nap and when in doubt, wear black.

What are three places you would tell friends to go to while visiting NYC?
The High Line for a stroll and Chelsea Market for a snack. For a fine dining experience, Daniel is your best best bet, preferably in the private skybox overlooking the kitchen. Dinner at a cozy, neighborhood restaurant like Prune, or Root & Bone in the East Village, or Louie & Chan in the Lower East Side ·

What your shopping style?
In New York, I mostly shop in SoHo boutiques or if I venture uptown, I go to Barneys. My favorite brands are Saint Laurent, Dior, Siki Im, and Thom Browne.

What is a quintessential New York moment in the past 3 months?
Givenchy’s first fashion show in the U.S. on 9/11 at Pier 23.

Hotel Favorite?
I’m a Hyatt loyalist and Courtesy Card member, but have yet to stay at the Park Hyatt  New York. Perhaps a staycation is needed to check it out.

What restaurants are on your list to check out?
There are a couple that I just haven’t had the time to book and plan for. ZZ’s Clam Bar and Sushi Nakazawa.

Tell about about CAEDEN.
I founded Caeden with Nora Levinson last year and is headquartered in Soho. It is a lifestyle brand that utilizes technology and design to create products that help modern, driven individuals approach their goals with greater calm and focus. Our audio line debuted last year, and we are preparing for the launch of our connected jewelry line for mind and body next month.