2009-2010 Season Update

The producers of The Pond and The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, Upsilon Ventures, just launched the new website for The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. It is your one-stop-shop for all information related to The Holiday Shops.

For quick updates on The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, view The Holiday Shops Twitter.

For your behind-the-scenes look at Bryant Park, including occasional coverage of The Pond and The Holiday Shops, visit the Bryant Park Blog and the Bryant Park Twitter.

For information on The Pond at Bryant Park, visit The Pond's website.

Apply for The Holiday Shops

Oh, those icy fountain days seem so far away! But even though the summer's just beginning to heat up, we're already preparing for a new Holiday Shops season at Bryant Park. So if you're a new prospective vendor or a seasoned vendor, it's once again time to apply.

If you need an application or more information on the shops or the application process, contact Deborah DiPrisco by email, ddiprisco@upsilonventures.com, or call her at (631)828-3909. We wish you many productive (and relaxing) summer months, but can't wait to have everyone back in Bryant Park for another memorable holiday season.

Goodbye, 2008 Holiday Shops!

Till next year! I hope everyone had a chance to check out The Holiday Shops in Bryant Park this year. If not, do a little reading here and click on the links. Many vendors have retail on their websites, so you can get their fabulous goods all year long. And be sure to email me any questions or inquiries you may have regarding the shops.

And vendors, please contact me at fashionherald.gmail.com if you'd like an off-season post, particularly if you'll be doing any shows in New York City through the year. I think everyone wants to know where to find you all year round. If you're a prospective vendor interested in the Bryant Park holiday market, email me and I can put you in touch with the company that produces the shops.

Best, and Happy New Year to all!

Stock Up

This is the time to go to Bryant Park and stock up on beauty products. The Holiday Shops have the best in natural skincare, and an impressive variety of product to choose from. I've bought up some lotion from Nubian Heritage (their hand lotions are 3 for $25, a great deal), and soaps from splash! organics, but let's check out a couple other options in the shops:

Onurth Organic Skincare, all their products are synthetic-free and mixed by hand in small batches. Look for: the cold & expeller pressed oils, all nutrients are kept intact and no chemical residue is left behind; and the sumptuous bathrobes and socks.

Pri-El, product made from the pure salts & minerals of the Dead Sea, olive oil from the Galilee Mountains, and healing plants & blossoms from the Jordan Valley. Be sure to try their natural, hand-made soaps and the luxury bath products.

Sabon, the Israeli -based store popular with New Yorkers. Try their body scrubs and look for gift sets for men.

Onurth Organic Skincare, B08 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace of Bryant Park)
Pri-El USA, F18 on the venue guide (the upper terrace of Bryant Park)

Sabon, E01 on the venue guide (the upper terrace of BP)

Home Field Advantage

Did you get a feeling he wasn't too thrilled with his gift? It's not too late to change it up. Go to Home Fields in the holiday shops and find your sports fan the most perfect gift ever: 3D replica stadiums, perfect for his office or his room at home.

Home Fields has baseball, football, and even Nascar motor speedways, all in different sizes. If he (or she) is really going to miss Shea Stadium, or if they're a big fan of Yankee Stadium, buy one of these:

And help keep your sports fan's memory alive.

Home Fields, B13 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace of Bryant Park)

True Jewelry

Friction Jewelry & Grace Oliver has the special sort of jewelry a girl gets really attached to. Stop by for these very striking, dipped organic pieces:

Called "true leaf," or "true rock," these necklaces are just stunning. And Friction also has a wide variety of other well-edited and memorable jewelry:

Drop by before the holiday shops close on Sunday, because this is jewelry you'll fall in love with on first sight.

Friction Jewelry & Grace Oliver, B2 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace of Bryant Park)

The Great, Last-Minute Gift

For quick, no-brainer gifts today, go to Bryant Park and shop:

Anna Sabino for all the cute jewelry trends at affordable prices:

Dekco Art Gallery for great prints and antique signs:

Lanablu for adorable hats (thanks to my gracious volunteer model):

And G&N NY for these gorgeous silk scarves (and be sure to ask the owner about her lovely handknit hats):

The best in one-stop shopping. And with gifts like these, they'll think you agonized over each and every decision.

Anna Sabino, C04 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace of Bryant Park)

Dekco Art Gallery, A10 on the venue guide (BP fountain terrace)

Lanablu, B03 on the venue guide (BP fountain terrace)
G&N NY, F11 on the venue guide (the upper terrace of Bryant Park)

Must Stop Shop: Lolabean

Please don't kick yourself at the end of the year because you didn't go to Lolabean for these gorgeous, delicate necklaces:





























Many of the charm necklaces are one-of-a-kind, as Tiffany Bean, the New York based designer, changes up the charms, gemstones and metal so each one is special. You can often see her at work in her kiosk, as each piece is handmade by the artisan herself. I'm also a big fan of her gold and silver bangles (around $75) and her resin rings ($65-$85):












And you have to get the sparrow earrings, the first piece of jewelry she ever designed:

In store now, and a close-up example:













Lolabean also carries one of my favorite bags in the shops, the eggroll bag:


See? Don't be kicking yourself, just go to Lolabean and stock up on some fabulous accessories.












Lola Bean, F24 on the venue guide (the upper terrace of Bryant Park)

Walk Right In

Are you a discerning holiday shopper with empty walls? Or perhaps you're looking for an original and timeless holiday gift? The Walking Art is your destination kiosk in the holiday shops. Fill your apartment or home with any of these:









































All by Brooklyn artists, and all inspired by the city they live in. Etchings, unframed, run $25 - $275, and framed are $45 - $475. Multimedia paintings are $60 - $400, and the original photography is $20 - $60. The photography collages are $60 - $320. Really great prices for the real art thing.


The Walking Art, D17 on the venue guide (along 42nd on the north side of Bryant Park)

'Tis the Season to Decorate! Part II

It wouldn't be a holiday season without a stop by Adornaments to stock up on:

Really adorable personalized ornaments ($10-$25);



























Christmas stockings ($15-$25);
















Table toppers ($10-$25);










And ceramic piggy banks ($25-$60) and room signs ($10-$25, they complement the banks).






















A full package of gifts that will satisfy multiple holiday needs. Adornaments is based in Queens, and all of their products can be customized. Even the felt stockings have small wooden nameplates. Perfect for kids, and a great gift for nieces & nephews or grandchildren. Also a perfect house-warming gift for your host any season of the year.

Adornaments, F08 on the venue guide (the upper terrace of Bryant Park)

'Tis the Season to Decorate!

'Tis the season to decorate, and The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park has what you need to make your or a loved one's holiday festive. And where better to get ornaments than Santa's Workshop?




























Santa's Workshop has all kinds of themed ornaments, from couples, family, sports and pets. Prices run $10 - $25, and you can get them personalized for free by one of Santa's able calligraphers standing by for your convenience.












And be sure to visit It's Always Christmas in New York for a different holiday option: the whole enchilada. This kiosk sells the whole holiday tree with full service. This includes: decorating, merchandise, tree, and all accessories. Depending on the tree size, this full setup service runs $1,500 - $6,000. What holiday luxury! I want the New York tree (pictured below). But you can also get all the individual ornaments, trimming and tabletop accessories you need ($5 - $60) if you're not in need of a tree.


























Santa's Workshop, C06 on the venue guide (the fountain terrace of Bryant Park)
It's Always Christmas in New York, F03 on the venue guide (the upper terrace of Bryant Park)