May 2010
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By day, the fashion designer whizzes round New York on his bicycle. By night, you’ll find him in the city’s coolest karaoke bars
Henry Holland hits his favourite nightspots with celeb pal Kelly Osbourne
Walking down the street in New York makes you feel like you’re on a movie set. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world. I’ve done all the touristy stuff, so now when I go, I like to act as though I’m living there. My last trip was to visit friends and I stayed at the Soho Grand in downtown Manhattan. Kir Royales aside, the best thing about the hotel was the minimal rooms and marble bathrooms – and the fact that it’s not too trendy. A typical day involved brunch at Schiller’s on the Lower East Side. Then shopping. I find it hard not to get carried away in New York and the exchange rates always throw me. I bought a reversible frock coat from Opening Ceremony and a few pieces from the vintage store Century 21.
Instead of walking everywhere, I borrowed my friend’s bike to get around, which was fun, if not a little dangerous. I’d have dinner at the Moroccan restaurant Cafe Mogador in the East Village or the Italian restaurant Little Frankies. Then it would be drinks at the Bowery Hotel or Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel before partaking in late-night karaoke. I always manage to fit in a karaoke session. I’ve been to karaoke venue Second on Second more than ten times now. Other memorable nights included seeing Kylie at the Bowery Ballroom and going to the Boom Boom Room bar at The Standard Hotel, which has amazing views of Manhattan. I had a great time at the cool new club Avenue Lounge, too. houseofholland.co.uk
BA flies to New York (JFK and Newark). Visit ba.com.
