United States

New York City 

Fashion

Michelle Li

Originally from Carmel, Indiana but a true New Yorker in style and tact, Michelle Li, excels as Teen Vogue's Fashion and Beauty editor, as well as a stylist and all-round creative. Her refreshingly sleek and fun combinations of clothes have garnered her more than 70k admirers on Instagram and solidified herself a street-style star. Describing her city as 'dynamic, quick, hard working', Michelle matches her city almost to the tee, except NYC doesn't have polished pink locks. Scroll down for some of Michelle's favourite city spots for a little R&R and a nibble.

The best tofu in town. Growing up I used to eat sweet rice cakes every morning for breakfast, this place takes me back with their bai tang gao. It comes in different flavors but I like to stick to the classic white sugar one!

Bring a spicy friend. You choose your ingredients and they throw it in a Chinese dry pot together for you with the perfect blend of spices. The atmosphere inside is so cozy and nostalgic, as if you were in a Wong Kar Wai movie.

Lil store big bites. I love their chicken biscuit sandwich with gravy and cole slaw, if I'm feeling extra treat-y I'll grab a bag of beignets and eat them at the park on Forsyth Street.

A nice place to end a day in the Lower East Side. This cute coffee shop is the kind of place you go into for a snack but then see the table beside you eating something yummy so you end up having a whole meal."

So many good classic Szechuan plates here. Another spicy spot to bring a friend, Chinese food is for sharing so the bigger the group the better because you can try more dishes.

I used to work retail down the street in college and this was my go-to lunch spot. Their moussaka lunch special is SO special and the baklava is self-serve from tiny drawers that hold sheets of them. It's a light airy cafe that if you can snag a seat, do it and sit for a bit.

They're famous for their beef noodles but on days that I miss home I like to go in and just get a cucumber salad and lu ro fan, my comfort food.

Malaysian breakfast! I love to go and get a bunch of snacks, sweets, and cute fancy toasts.

This well-curated shop has pieces that are quirky and unique, they inspire you to want to break out of your style comfort zone and try to wear some more color or a new silhouette. It's a very persuasive store.

An LES (Lower East Side) institution at this point. A lot of NYC girls are always shopping here for their oversized wool coats, blanket scarves, and plaid blazers. There are a lot of knick knacks and familiar brands, but you'll always find some new designer from Europe in here.

My go-to for when I'm in a bind and need to pick up a cute gift for a friend. Also a great place to go if you're looking for special home goods.

The purveyors of finding great younger brands and designers. I always pop in this store when I'm looking for some inspiration for upcoming shoots, it's a great way to see what is up-and-coming in the fashion world.

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NYC's Best Spots to Eat and Shop by Michelle Li

Essie Buckman

Once again the frenzy of fashion week fills up New York City's streets showcasing an extravagant and flamboyant display of some of the hottest fits so far. Between jumping from show to show and nursing a hangover from drinking one too many margaritas at a fashion party, finding a place to unwind can be necessary in order to survive the week.

Award-winning designer and creative director, Essie Buckman knows the ins and outs of the fashion industry, after completing a BA Honours in Fashion Design with marketing at the prestigious Central Saint Martins. Buckman was later selected by Willie Walters to debut her first collection at the coveted BA Press Show (2017), which lead to the birth of Fortie Label.

The designer has been featured in fashion publications such as Italian Vogue and i-D, with her clientele including icons such as Rihanna, CL and Jorja Smith to name a few. 

Check out Buckman's guide to New York City hotspots you need to go to this fashion week, with the trendiest cafes to up-and-coming designer stores.

This is my girl’s Korean soju bar. Ideal for between shows to get a quick drink and hang with friends or take a lil meeting. Such a vibe, I recommend this place A LOT!

Love this spot for a quick bite and drinks in the city. Especially after a long shopping day in soho. Watch out for the skater boys who are destined to ruin your life as supreme is right around the corner. Highly recommend the green papaya salad, ginger chicken, Chinese broccoli and fried rice!


Such a fun shopping experience, it’s giving clueless or laundrette! You can definitely find something cute in there exclusively from independent/upcoming designers. I particularly love their super weird selection of jewellery and accessories

The freshest sushi in NYC. So tasty and so good! Don’t fuck around, just get the Omakase tasting menu and try it all! They have a cocktail with a lychee in it, I can’t remember the name but I can’t stop ordering them.. clearly!


If you wanna ditch the fashion week parties for a bit as I surely will. You can head to Brooklyn and dance the night away at paragon! Guaranteed good music to get lost to in the smoke machines and lights


Café Forgot

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