The Lo Down: 2/18/25

I bought a thong in the back of a Midtown deli last week...

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Fashion

Lingerie & eveningwear designer Fern Clausius of Fern New York invited me to her NYFW x Valentine’s Day pop up, a soirée that took place in a speakeasy back room of a Midtown deli (only in NYC will you hear that sentence).

Fern brought together a curated group of her designer friends: a jewelry designer, a handbag designer, and even an incredibly talented illustrator sketching guests on the spot. I love seeing people fully immersed in their craft, and events like this, as well as the event I went to last week put on by my friend Karina of Haus Incubator—where passion and creativity are at the center—keep my excitement for fashion alive and always leave me inspired and feeling more connected to my fashion community.

In other fashion things this week…

-I tried on some pieces from the Phoebe Philo Collection B at LuisaViaRoma this weekend. I was admittedly underwhelmed with the fit as well as with the collection in general. $1,200 for an ill fitting asymmetric long sleeve tee? I found myself trying to convince myself that I liked it. This very instance reminded me of a conversation I had recently regarding authenticity and originality in thought - do I like it because I genuinely connect with it, or because I’ve subconsciously internalized the collective reverence around it? It’s wild how tricky it can be to separate instinct from influence, especially in fashion, where taste is so intertwined with culture and community.

-A big trend I saw while in market for FW25: animal prints (particularly leopard). Get ahead of the trend with my edit here. My personal favorites: this belt, these pants, these shoes, and this skirt.

-I love the styling of these long shorts with an over the knee boot at 6397:

For more of what’s in my closet, what I’m currently obsessing over, shopping guides & more, check out my ShopMy. Looking for some personal style advice? Whether it’s for curating a flawless vacation wardrobe, hunting down the perfect shoes, or finding the best basics for your closet, I’m here to help—just reach out!

Food

This week was full of superstar meals, which always happens when visitors are in town. Here’s a quick list of the best bites from everywhere I ate last week:

Coqodaq: Splurge for the 24K chicken nugget with Golden Daurenki caviar (don’t cheap out for the 18K w/ trout roe). Is it ridiculous? Yes. But if you’re dining there, you have to go big or go the f home.

Bungalow: The Daal Bungalow was heavenly. And do not skip the Chicken Chitranee.

Frenchette: The Levain Pancake with Catskills maple syrup is one of the best sweet brunch dishes I’ve ever had. It’s very reminiscent of a soufflé which, if you know me, you know I love soufflé so much that I’ve crossed country borders just to eat one.

Borgo: The award for best vibes goes to this restaurant. It has one of the most elite atmospheres of any restaurant I’ve been to in recent memory - moody lighting, wood burning fireplace, relaxed and unhurried service, and well-spaced tables creating an airy, open feel. I wouldn’t consider it in the sphere of great Italian restaurants, as the pasta was the least memorable dish I had (if you are looking for a newer spot with amazing pasta, try Massara). Go heavy on the small plates (fava purée, buffalo mozzarella, citrus salad, focaccia).

Current Obsession

Two words: Gabby Windey.

My breakout star of The Traitors (on TikTok, though - not on the actual show). The Bachelor-turned-Bachelorette contestant, who I had never heard of before The Traitors, has become one of my favorite people to follow on TikTok in recent weeks. The editors are doing absolutely nothing to showcase her wit and personality on the show, but I’m living for her behind the scenes commentary on her TT (her recounting not seeing Ivar at the breakfast table? Gold). What I love about Gabby is her unfiltered commentary and deadpan delivery. It seems others agree with this current obsession, as she did a fun Valentine’s interview last week with Interview Magazine.

TV

I haven’t watched the premiere of The White Lotus Season 3 yet, but admittedly, I’m already tired of it. I’m feeling inundated with the weird collaborations for this season - Brunch, Away, Abercrombie, Aqua, H&M, Supergoop, Banana Republic (launching in March), Kiehl’s (launching 2/19), Nest…the list goes on. What was initially a sharp, satirical look at the absurdity of wealth and privilege has now become a marketing free-for-all. The entire universe was built on the shows foundational partnership with the Four Seasons - an aspirational, luxurious setting that provided the feeling of exclusivity. Now, with every brand under the sun seemingly clamoring for a piece of the pie, it feels like we’re being spoon-fed a manufactured version of that lifestyle…and the magic has been lost on me.

Will I still watch every episode? Probably. But the overexposure has definitely taken the shine off, and quite like my feelings above on Phoebe Philo, I’m wondering how much of my interest in watching the show is actually my own, and how much is just an echo of everything I’ve absorbed.

On My Radar

Schmuck, the new East Village bar from a co-founder of one of Barcelona’s most acclaimed spots, Two Schmucks (ranked #7 on the World’s 50 Best Bar list in 2022)

Apparatus Studio, the design/lighting studio in Chelsea

The Snail, the walk-in only bistro in Greenpoint from an alum of 4 Charles (allegedly their burger rivals that of 4C. I’ll be the judge of that.)

Nick Cave exhibition at Jack Shainman Gallery

Labubu - will this silly little monster be the new Sonny Angel? I don’t quite know what they are or what their origin story is, but I do know that I need one dressed in a Miu Miu outfit asap:

Until next week -

xo

Lo