It has long been a dream of mine to shoot a campaign with New York City as the backdrop. I completed a year of study here at Parsons School of Design in 2002, and this city will always hold a special place in my heart. It invigorates and inspires like nowhere else in the world.
When our good friends at Audi got in touch earlier this year to talk about hosting me (along with some of their customers) to the Formula-e in NYC in July this seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring my dream of shooting a campaign in NYC to life. We reached out to Natalie Cantell (ex-pat Brooklyn based kiwi and Fashion Director at Who What Wear) to see if she could give us some help on the ground. We also got in touch with now London-based long time collaborator and friend of the brand, photographer Guy Coombes to see how he felt about joining us.
Our first morning in New York was spent walking the streets with Natalie as our tour guide in search of backdrops for our Spring Summer collection. It was a really great way to spend time getting reacquainted with NYC, and the perfect introduction for my team - Alice (my Design Assistant) and Lucy (Brand Manager) for whom this was their first time in the city… we were focussed on looking at all the beautiful architecture, noticing the subtle differences from borough to borough, and (as all the shops were still closed) not being distracted by the shopping… for a city that never sleeps it’s actually pretty quiet out there until 10am!
(With a bit of hard work) everything fell perfectly into place, from our beautiful (inside and out) model Andie Jue, to the super talented (and hilarious) HMU artist Becca Gilmartin, it was one of those days on set where the magic really happens and although it was a long day of hard work, it was just so rewarding too and will definitely be a career highlight of mine. We hope you love the images as much as we do.
STAY //
Public Hotel / With the Lower East Side and Nolita a short stroll away (and Wholefoods next door!), this hotel delivers it all… The roof top bar is a favourite for locals and guests alike and gives the best view of the famous skyline, and provided the best setting for a couple of our shots.
EAT //
Wild Air / This was our dinner stop on our shoot day. Amazing shared plates and the best people watching at night in the Lower East Side
Russ & Daughters / After a busy morning at the Met (including a visit to the Camp exhibition) we strolled to the Upper East Side Russ & Daughters and grabbed a classic takeaway Lox Bagel and thoroughly enjoyed it while relaxing in the sun in Central Park. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
Two Hands / We spent two mornings here for breakfast. The best Smashed Avocado toast ever.
The Spotted Pig / I’d say yes to this (once) Michelin Starred burger any day of the week
Eataly / All the good food from Italy in one place. Grab bread, cheese, gelato, wine and head to neighbouring Madison Square Park for a relaxing meal while gazing at the iconic Flatiron building. Ticking all the boxes here!
The Musket Room / We visited here for a beautiful dinner with the team from Audi and was such a great experience to enjoy NZ wines and produce in such an amazing dining experience.
Ballato / Our last dinner and definitely not the least. I can’t go past a Vongolé and this certainly didn’t disappoint
Café Habana / Tacos and Beer for lunch after a busy morning location scouting. So good.
Freemans / Tucked down a little alleyway and super discrete but amazing food and cocktails
DO //
Walk the Highline / We got there early around 8am to beat the crowds. Such a cool part of the NYC cityscape - I love the juxtaposition of the industrial concrete and amazing wild planting.
Brooklyn Bridge / We taxied over the bridge and walked back to the hotel. Great way to start the day and earn that bagel.
The Met / We were lucky our visit co-incided with the Camp exhibition. Loved it.
The Disney Store at opening / I was on a mummy-mission for a Moana costume for Myra (it was her 3rd birthday the week I got back to NZ). Unbeknownst to me, there is a little welcome show at the Disney Store at Time Square when it opens for the day at 10am so that was a nice surprise!
Public Hotel rooftop bar for a sunset.
x
Juliette