New York is like home for artist Dhruvi Acharya. She lived in the city for five years. Her two sons were born there. So it’s only natural for it to be among her most-loved holiday getaways. But what gives it a high ranking in fashion circles? According to Dhruvi, “New York’s street fashion dictates that people follow their individual sense of style rather than wear what is prescribed by fashion mavens” and that makes it one of the most stylish cities in the world.

When in New York, Dhruvi loves to go shopping for art materials and dine out with friends. “My favourite activity is sitting in a coffee shop and sketching for hours on end. Café Lalo in the Upper West Side and Café Rafaella in the West Village have been hosts on many such occasions,” she says. Being an art lover and an artist herself, Dhruvi admits she can’t resist visiting Blick (in Noho), the New York Central Art Supply in East Village and the Lee’s Art Store on 57th Street. So does she ever go shopping for anything other than art? “Of course I do! Like any other woman I like jewellery, clothes and other accessories,” she exclaims. “I pick up clothes from Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters and other brands. And I buy cosmetics from Kiehls, MAC and Origins.” So what’s New York’s best kept shopping secret? After a hesitant pause, she identifies a ‘certain’ Soho Flea market where she picked up unique handmade jewellery from designers on the streets. A bamboo bag from the Pearl River Mart in Soho is one of her valued finds. The artist’s most coveted possession, though, is a printed skateboard by artist Ryan McGuinnnes which she bought from Printed Matter in Chelsea.

When in town, she carries several black outfits, her choice for nights out. Dhruvi’s holiday tip — “Always carry a pair of sneakers because there’s so much more to discover about NYC when you’re on foot.” She cherishes walking around the Bethesda Terrace with her husband and listening to a cello quartet in the Great Lawn. “It’s very romantic,” she gushes. Picnics in Central Park, stopovers at the Moma book store, Times Square jaunts at night, afternoons spent at the Natural History Museum and visits to contemporary art galleries like Deitch Projects and Gagosian — all draw Dhruvi to her home away from home at least twice a year.

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