Product Focus: The City Of New York Pocket Square
Next up in our product focus series is one of our best-selling pockets squares of the city that never sleeps. The City of New York Pocket Square was inspired by a 1870 map from Currier & Ives.
Did You Know? The city's original name was in fact New Amsterdam. The colony of New Netherland was established by the Dutch West India Company in 1624 and grew to encompass all of present-day New York City and parts of Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Explore Further: The City of New York Pocket Square
BEHIND THE PRINT: NEW YORK CITY POCKET SQUARE
This stunning silk pocket square comes from an inspired scenic view of the Empire State courtesy of Currier & Ives. The firm of Currier & Ives created over 7,500 titles and developed over a million lithographs in its 73 years running as a print shop. This 1870 print of NYC, in their popular bird's eye view style, includes prominent landmarks of the day.
By 1810, New York surpassed Philadelphia as the largest city in the United States, and it hasn't looked back since. This growth has a lot to do with its deep port, which can be seen in this 19th-century drawing printed in silk on this pocket square. You may also notice the brick buildings of 19th century New York tinge this pocket square with a red hue echoed on the hand-rolled edges, supplying you with the perfect pocket accent for any outfit you can dream up.
New York City traces its origins to a trading post founded on the southern tip of Manhattan Island by Dutch colonists in approximately 1624. As we alluded to earlier, the settlement of New York was originally called 'New Amsterdam' (Dutch: Nieuw Amsterdam) in 1626 and was chartered as a city in 1653.
The Dutch first settled along the Hudson River in 1624, and only two years later, they established the colony of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island. However, in 1664, the English took control of the area and renamed it New York, which is how we know it today.
The city of ‘New Amsterdam’ in 1660 before it became the city we know today. (Source: History.com)
WHAT WAS NEW YORK CITY LIKE IN 1870?
Known by some as 'the Gilded Age', the period of New York City from the mid-1870s through the mid-1890s was known for its sense of significant progress and great instability at the same time. The isolated individual communities characterising the American landscape had begun to dissolve by the 1870s. In its place began to emerge a new ordered urban-industrial structure, which attempted to regularise a previously chaotic world.
Americans were introduced to electricity as a source of light and power, helping to improve their standard of living. At the same time, cities concurrently struggled to dispose of waste and provide pure drinking water to a rapidly expanding population.
The Brooklyn Bridge as shown on our map in 1870
In New York City, changes in the built environment reflected the ever-increasing presence of the poor and working classes. The 1870s saw the rapid expansion of hospitals, such as Presbyterian Hospital (1872) and St. Johns Hospital in Brooklyn (1873); these were primarily religious and ethnic institutions that had evolved from almshouses. They served the poor primarily by providing warmth, shelter, regular meals, and basic nursing. Before the end of the first decade of the 20th century, there were 63 general hospitals in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Within the silk print, you may be able to see the completed Brooklyn Bridge on the right-hand side. Still, it was actually only started in January 1870 and wasn’t completed till 1883, so when Currier & Ives produced this print, there wouldn’t have been a completed bridge present.
5 FAMOUS FASHION SETTINGS WITHIN NEW YORK CITY
With $9 billion in sales annually, New York City is the United States' top 'global fashion city'. The industry's core is located within Manhattan's Garment District, where the majority of the city's major fashion labels operate showrooms and execute the fashion process from design and production to wholesaling.
New York is known for its incredible street style, love of all things fashion, and home to some of the most excellent museums in the world. Below we reveal some key fashion spots to explore if you ever decide to visit the Big Apple.
Men pulling racks of clothing on a busy sidewalk in the Garment District in 1955 (Source: Wikipedia.com)
Tiffany & Co
Famous for its breakfast and turquoise blue boxes. 'Nothing bad can ever happen at Tiffany’s’, once said Audrey Hepburn as the quintessential New York party girl. Splurge on high-end fine jewellery and objets d’art that are updated seasonally. If you aren’t after precious jewels, the famous brand has home goods, including fine china and sterling silver pieces. And now, with the 2017 opening of The Blue Box Cafe on the fourth floor of the flagship store, you can literally have breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Dover Street Market
This multi-level concept mall features all of the world greatest designers, alongside emerging designers who present innovative designs at the intersection of art and fashion. Collections are always changing, so be sure to check the floor guide for exclusive product drops. The brainchild of Rei Kawakubo, Dover Street is an international concept mall with locations in the most fashionable cities.
Mood Fabrics
Set within the heart of the Garment District, Mood is set across three floors of designer fabrics to shop. Mood is considered New York’s most extensive selections of silks, lace, brocades, wool, velvet, jersey, trimmings, home decor and more. The fabric store is often featured on Project Runway, which means it's often full of fashion lovers and budding designers looking for a souvenir or fabric takeaway.
The Museum at FIT
Argued by some to be New York’s most fashionable museum, and helmed by fashion historian Dr Valerie Steele, the Museum at FIT boasts several high-profile rotating exhibitions as well as a permanent collection and archives. Located on the campus of New York’s elite fashion school, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Museum at FIT allows photography, and entrance is free.
Le Bain
Outside of fashion hotspots, we thought to include one of New Yorks most trendy rooftop bars. Located at the top of the Standard Hotel in the bustling Meatpacking District you will find Le Bain, which, true to its name, has a Jacuzzi as well as rooftop views. Le Bain has become a favourite spot for influencers, models and celebrities so be sure to dress to impress and take the gold-plated elevators all the way to the top.
THREE FACTS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT NEW YORK CITY
Fun Fact 1: The first pizzeria in the US (Lombardi’s) opened in New York City in 1905, as certified by the Pizza Hall of Fame.
Lombardi’s is still located on 32 Spring Street today. (Source: The Daily Meal)
Fun Fact 2: We promise this is true. Honking your horn in New York is actually illegal!
Fun Fact 3: The Statue Of Liberty was actually a gift from the French. French sculptors Bartholdi and Eiffel built her to celebrate the friendship between the US and France
EXPLORE HOW TO FOLD THIS POCKET SQUARE
What we love about The City of New York Pocket Square is its versatility and how the prominent border and different colours and textures within the print can totally transform the look of a jacket.
How you fold a pocket square determines whether it adds a subtle accent, or can be a flamboyant addition of colour, which becomes the focal point of your outfit.
We have created a step-by-step visual guide on our website to help guide you in your pocket square folding adventure. Many of the folds indeed feature The City of New York Pocket Square.
Read Further: How to Fold Your Pocket Square Guide
If you prefer visuals over written text, then you are in luck as our YouTube channel has a dedicated Pocket Square Fold Series covering all the classic folds you can use on this pocket square and any others within our collection.
What Makes Our Pocket Squares So Special?
