West Side: Celebs and You

SoHo to experience the cobble streets, fashion and art

SoHo represents the area from Houston Street to Canal Street and between Crosby and Sixth Avenue, the name a portmanteau referring to the area being SOuth of HOuston Street. The area was once famous for its booming art scene and artistic community, home to such fixtures as the Mary Boone Gallery and the Gagosian Gallery.Regrettably, the area was hit hard by the economic changes of the 1980s and 1990s and saw a large migration of these artists and galleries to Chelsea and other neighborhoods.Head through SoHo to experience the cobble streets, fashion and art. Meander through the side streets of SoHo between Broadway and West Broadway to catch some of the biggest shopping brands like Zara, J.Crew and Mango, and peak into some of New York's top-line stores to catch some of the latest trends. Some of my personal favorites are Bloomingdales, Acne Studios and COS.When you have done some damage on your wallet, take a stroll down West Broadway and stop into some of the art galleries. In the 1970s, SoHo found itself with many industrial buildings and little industry. These buildings were ideal spaces for artists as they boasted large spaces, natural light, and low rent. The unique atmosphere and energy cultivated a thriving creative scene for artists and art lovers alike.SoHo’s artistic history is rich and diverse. Just a few of the many illustrious artists who contributed to the amazing art culture of SoHo include: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Phillip Glass, Nam June Paik, Donald Judd, Chuck Close, Frank Stella, Vito Acconci, Jon Kessler and Alex Katz.