Gold Digger

New York City recently named the uptown corner of 57th Street and 5th Avenue Bill Cunningham Corner in homage to the late NY Times street photographer. Across 5th Ave from Cunningham’s perch is the temple of fashion known as Bergdorf Goodman. Kitty cornered, on the downtown side of 57th Street, is Harry Winston, purveyor of diamonds and all things gold. Cross 5th Ave and you’ll find Holly Golightly’s favorite haunt made famous in Breakfast at Tiffany’s – it’s really just Tiffany, leaving off the S might gain you some respect with the literary crowd, but it won’t garner any savings. If you go just a few more steps south, you’ll arrive at a garish building that epitomizes the heady days of easy money and eighties glitz, Trump Tower. With its developer now the RNC candidate for president, the building is surrounded by assault-rifle toting police officers and secret service agents giving surly glances. Anywhere you look on Bill Cunningham corner you can spot touches of gold.

Fashion has always been a barometer of political and cultural relevance. Right now, gold is in the air and on the streets. The stock market has hit historic highs and the art world is feeling the golden heat too. Take a look at Bo Bartlett’s mammoth paintings now on view at Ameringer McEnery Yohe. Or go further up 5th Avenue to Neue Gallerie to see the crown jewel in Ronald Lauder’s collection, the $135 million dollar Portrait of Adele Blochbauer by Gustav Klimt which is permanently on view. Then cool off at the Met and stroll through the Chinese, Japanese and post modern galleries for more glimpse of the golden touch.

At the Couture shows in Paris, the precious metal made its presence known most prominently on the gold-leafed walls at Dior and spilled onto the collection in the form of embroidery. It was more discreetly used at Armani, Chanel, Maison Margiella and Valentino. The men’s spring/summer 2017 shows had their share of gold too. One standout was the shawl collared dinner jacket in gold brocade at Dolce and Gabbana. Then there’s the athletic world which loves gold too. In a couple weeks we’ll see athletes from around the world compete for gold at the Olympics in Rio. We’re sure to see a few touches of gold on the athletes uniforms as well as the medals around their necks. By Labor Day, when the most heated US presidential election in years gets into full gear and we face an uncertain stock market, gold will be everywhere. This fall, channel your favorite gold digger, artist or politician and add a few pieces of gold to your wardrobe. There’s no need to go full metal jacket, just a touch will make the look shine.