You may remember that, back in the autumn, I wrote about Kate Spade’s opening salvo into the British retail world: their excellent pop-up shop in Covent Garden’s Henrietta Street.
I said at the time that I thought it would be interesting to see what the brand did next in the UK, given the raging success of the pop-up (which I said then and still think, set the gold standard for temporary shops) and now my, ahem, secret sources tell me that Kate Spade will indeed have a permanent presence in London from this summer, having found a retail space. No word on exactly where tho. (But the moment my mole tells me, I’ll tell you.)
And that lovely rumour reminded me that I had this wonderful screen-printed canvas Kate Spade large & brand new leather-handled tote bag with New York on one side, and London on the other to give away on LLG. (Forgive me, I’ve been a bit caught up with snowbound planes, packing containers and setting up offices). The bag was a very VERY limited edition, designed especially to celebrate the Kate Spade Henrietta Street store and, I think, only available in the pop-up store.
It’s also quite prescient, as I am heading to New York on Wednesday (to speak at Evolving Influence), and I can’t think of an item more suited to this blog which deals with the geographic duality of my life, than a bag that says New York on one side, and London on the other.
To snaffle this bag for yourself, simply leave a comment below telling us whether you prefer the city of London or of New York, or which one you’d like to visit.…I’ll pick a recipient when I get back from New York.
(Also: check out this sweet video, starring actress Anna Brewster, which was shot in the Henrietta Street pop-up. You can see the bag hanging on the wall at around 2:01)
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New York New York so good they named it twice! I have only been once but found myself staring open mouthed pretty much the whole time. The buildings, the people, the general hustle and bustle! I felt like I was in a film the whole time I was there. As for the shopping – well I could only afford to window shop but oh the fun I could have had if I had the dollars! And to top it all off I got my engagement ring from Tiffanys – can’t get more Audrey Hepburn than that………..
London has made me who I am. I study in Cambridge now but I always heave a huge sigh of relief when I return to London. For me London captures the many aspects of my identity.
Just some memories:
Long walks and picnics on Hampstead Heath while holding mini-competitions over who can recite the wonderful Keats fastest!
Growing up in Hackney amongst the largest Hasidic Jewish Community in Europe really taught me to understand and appreciate ‘difference’ amongst people without being frightened of it.
As a sixteen year old I got a job at Stanfords – a huge map shop – in Covent Garden and picked up my first A-Z. I then spent the next two years wandering around the nooks and crannies of the city – it’s amazing how many small, winding streets with wonderful shops and so much history are tucked behind the major streets everybody walks on.
Winning free tickets to the Hackney Empire and watching a beautiful African dance routine there, getting the theatre buzz and seeing the History Boys at Wyndhams!
Going to Green Street near Mile End around the Muslim festival of Eid to buy some gorgeous burgundy raw silk for my Mum to sew a Shalwaar Kameez. Buying Henna cones and painting our hands, and seeing the rich colour the next morning. Eating Indian sweets (so fattening), samosas, and paan (beetle-nut leaf) on this heavenly street. When my grandparents first came to this country in the sixties it was one of the only places you could buy spices and lentils.
Notting Hill Carnival with mates – so exhilarating! And it really does celebrate what is so good about multiculturalism (no matter what David Cameron says)
Meeting my fiancé at Shoreditch festival and building a life for myself with him in Islington. Sunday morning brunch routines just off Angel Green followed by the papers.
Studying at the countless public libraries and being inspired by the FREE MUSEUMS. The huge dinosaur at the Natural History museum is wonderful for children and the more sober V&A is what got me interested in my degree – History.
I’ve been to New York once but what makes London so unique for me is that London really is full of opportunity for everyone. Its inclusiveness is why it thrives. The libraries, museums, theatres, cultural events are not exclusive to one class or culture. It is the vibrancy of interaction that truly makes its inhabitants loyally define themselves as “Londoners”.
Kate Spade is having a moment. I respect it, though, I never really understood!
Even though I have never visited, I would have to say New York, it has been my life long ambition to go and I am intending to go next year when I will be celebrating a very special birthday! (10+10+10+10+10)!!!!!!!!!! I have read lots and lots of books about the big apple and when my daughter visited NY and rang for directions to Tiffany I could tell her!! love your blog, would love the bag x Enjoy your trip and good luck with the move.
Best wishes
Michelle
But of course, it must be London! No place better in the world. I miss it every day and am anxious for my love affair to begin when I return again this spring!
New York, because it’s an ever-changing stage, for an ever-changing cast.
I have to admit that this has been an extremely hard question for me to answer – my love affair with NYC started at an early age due to my obsession with musicals – I went back year after year to get that Broadway kick and inspiration – London however provided the platform for my dream to perform to come true (having my British ancestral visa also helped
). There is this sophistication and quiet confidence in London that really appeals to me – I think the reason I fell in love with London was because it knocked me down from the fantasy bubble I was living in at 19 – there was this collective mentally that I picked up on quite quickly that anything is possible no matter what you’re after you just need to get on with it, work hard, and not make a fuss about it – I never tried to perform in NYC but I do think the bright lights of Broadway would have blurred my vision and I don’t think I would have had the same work ethic and success that I ended up having in London – and I would have never been exposed to Marks and Spencer’s prawn cocktail salads….. I really don’t know how I get on without you!
London town will always have my heart! I may be from the states (from New York to be exact) but London will always be the place for me. I love London for its shopping (of course), the food, the attractions, all those typical touristy things. Yet, that is not all. London never ceases to amaze me. Its people are some of the kindest I have ever met, I was in London in 2007 during the bombings and even while they were suffering they took time to make sure an American girl and her family were okay. This city has heart- sure it may be a little rough around the edges but inside it is a place filled with warmth.
I have been to both and prefer London, great shopping! Thanks for the chance to win!
London and I have had a somewhat tumultuous affair. Since high school, it was the place I aspired to go and study. That part of the dream came true. I was awed by its universities, its diversity, the social scene, the music scene… and of course, the romance. The chance that somewhere in its dense population, I might find ‘the one’. Those dreamy but windy walks on bridges, the shiny lights, those views from the student housing and LSE rooftops, those nights spent in clubs and student parties, those times spent walking around in heels to go to a bar, to pick up a friend, to catch a cab, to find an open food joint, that crazy fashion sense that seemed far too messy and unstructured for my Swiss taste. Even though love I did not find, I found plenty of emotions to go along with my experiences; the consuming emotions that London seemed to intensify with its stories and architecture. It came to the point where I wasn’t too sure about London anymore. So eventually, unable to make it in London financially, I left.
Love came much later and it brought me to… the East Coast. Connecticut of all places, just near enough New York to tempt me with its bright lights, big bridges, small apartments and small island. I still love these metropolitan cities although I am more daunted by them, but I also realise that I miss London terribly. So maybe it is time to give New York a chance and get caught up in the emotion and the bright lights of another great city.
New York strikes me as terribly Gotham in the past three of four visits. London, on the other hand, sweetness and light…even through the drizzle.
London, but of course!!! Sadly, I’ve moved away from this lovely city a couple of months ago, so carrying a London bag around with me would be a sweet reminder of the fun times I had there…
Oooh tough choice! I’m more at ‘home’ in London even though I live in Edinburgh… but I’ve been to NY a few times to visit family (once at Halloween which was amazing!) and would love to go again. Um, so can I have both? (Is that cheating too much?!)
I have to say London as I haven’t been to New York yet. Once I’ve saved enough to get my kitchen looking less like a building site my next saving project will be for a trip to New York. I do suspect though that I will still love London the most, I’m a big fan of England in general and am rarely tempted abroad for holidays. I think what makes it is the people, I love how great we are at queueing, apologising when it’s not our fault, not showing our emotions and coping with the miserable weather. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I have worked/gone to school in NY for years now, but have yet to visit London so I would have to say visiting London is a pretty big ‘to do’ on my list right now. I would just spend all day in a pub listening to everyone talk in there fabulous British accents. It would be heaven.
Well, if they keep bringing brands like Kate Spade over here it’s London for me. While you’re at it, can we have Saks and J.Crew as well, pretty please?
I heart New York but streets straighter than celebrities’ teeth, tweenagers with edgier clothes than me and giant portions of delicious food in a super-skinny city are perfect for long weekends, but not for ever.
London’s a little bit grittier, older and messier – and, frankly, so am I, compared to your average Manhattanite or Williamsburger.
London, it has to be, Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood etc. the best fashion has to offer. Not only that but its a 24 hour cosmopolitan city with the best food, music, people, shopping and nightlife!
Wow – a tricky question. I think both cities offer great restaurants, bars, shows and shopping but I think I would prefer to live in London and visit New York.
As attractive as NY is, I think it would be stressful to live there.
I have been there a few times for leisure and business and each time, I discover something different and who can forget where the Sex and The City series was born????
Thanks for the competition – have fun in the big apple!
Cheers,
Jacqueline
x
I am native Texan now living in London I have to say that London is the place to be. Don’t get me wrong I love New York after all it has central park, Rockefeller Center and Barneys.
However London has Regents Park, Hamstead Heath, Hyde Park, and green spaces dotted throughout the city. In the weeks leading up to spring these green space begin to blossom with color that takes my breathe away. London’s diversity and multiculturalism is like a patchwork quilt of people from all walks of life and parts of the world. Something that I think sets London apart from New York is how the city oozes creativity and it is truly an awe inspiring place to be. It has certainly inspired me.
CA
London because of their properness!
London – as I’ve already been to NY. Not that I wouldn’t mind going back…
XO
Choosing between these 2 beautiful cities is tough, but I think I’ll have to go with New York. There’s something so magic about New York-it’s got that Mad Men, old glamor, discover who you are, anything is possible feeling. It’s in the air I think. Even just saying the name evokes the grandeur, like it’s the password to get into your dreams.
So, here’s to New York.
A filmset, a song, a fantasy on every corner – it has to be New York! London is glorious for mini breaks and day trips (we live just close enough!) to dip a toe into the jigsaw puzzle of little boroughs and find endless food, fashion and culture is fabulous. But the dream is a third trip to New York to immerse in the glorious pool that is the sense, sounds, splendid expression of living that is Manhattan! Oh, and the zoo this time and playing in Central Park with my little girl, who wasn’t around last trip! And of course Broome Street, to that cute little shop to hopefully find an indulgent little gift to bring home.
I prefer New York, hands down. I love this city, it’s the only place that I know. I thrive on New York energy, I mean they do say, ‘if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.’ I haven’t been to London, but I truly think you can compare to this place. Every little place here is home to me, another place to be rediscovered.
London b/c I have been to NY one too many times
thanks for the opportunity! <3 KS!
I have not been to either place so I can’t say. I guess I would like to go to London first but not until the kate spade store opens there. I may even take a trip to be there for the grand opening!!! New York seems so fun and exciting but still American. Going to another country is just so much more fun!
I watched the live feed of the conference! It was super and all the speakers were so inspirational! Wish I had gone. I hope you had a great time.
xoxox,
Sandee
I have visited both cities and would love to get back to London since it was nearly twenty years ago that I last visited. Now that I’m “all grown up” I want to see everything London as to offer, I’m willing to bet it is much different for a thirty-something as compared to a teenager in the 90′s!
LONDON, London, london! After studying abroad a few years ago- I fell in love with London. My heart always chooses london.
As my friend, Kimster, would say, “I LOVE THE LONDON.”
Vacation to London, and live in NYC!
(Isn’t that the best of both?)
I’d love to visit London because I’ve never been there!
New York seems like the most magical city in the world (despite the crime rate and all) and I listen to Empire state of mind all the time
it’s impossible to pick between London and New York! They are both amazing for different reasons. I think it depends on my mood which one is my fave at any given time. Right now, I feel like exploring London more and I’m looking forward to my trip to London in May, so I’ll say London
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