Inside The New NYC Nicholas Kirkwood Store (& The VIP Party)

We're no stranger to Nicholas Kirkwood's spot-them-from-across-the-cobblestones designs. But now that he's opened his first NYC store in the MPD, we can get to know them a lot better — after all, where better to practice our cobble-hopping skills. So, yeah, we're talking swinging by every day for just a glimpse at the summer shoes we can't wait to strut in with our new spring dresses (fine, even if we don't leave the store with them). If you can't afford to swipe the kind of plastic needed to exit with one of Kirkwood's creations, the British designer's boutique is worth the 1% jealousy.

The 1,500-square-feet of foot porn (the good kind) is directly across the street from the High Line and the coming-so-soon Whitney Museum of American Art, and carries the full collection of styles and collaborations, meaning art- and nature-lovers no longer have to trek to various department stores to score their Nick hit. Oh, and there's a private backyard garden that's on-point for a lil' post-sandal-spree sunbathing.

On Friday, we trekked over to Washington Street for the grand opening — hosted by Kirkwood himself — to join other NK addicts for some bubbly and shoe spotting. Luxe shoppers like Bee Shaffer, Nora Zehetner, Michelle Violy Harper, Hannah Bronfman, and Kate Foley scooped the range, displayed like works of art in custom-built niches, platforms, and tables — appropriate as we can see one or two of the pairs making their debut at a certain museum. We made ample use of that dove gray circular banquette to slip on some of our favorite styles, but we're not telling if we left with those turquoise blue/houndstooth/shocking pink pumps. Pass by Pastis this weekend, though, and you might recognize us, or, err, our accessories...