As both the fashion director of Marie Claire magazine and the mother of two boys, the most-trafficked places in Nina Garcia’s busy life are either her closet or her kitchen. “You’ll see me at Whole Foods Columbus Circle between shows, traipsing around in high heels,” she says. The bubbly, Colombian-born judge on Lifetime’s “Project Runway” lives in Midtown with her husband, David Conrod, and two sons — Lucas, 5, and Alexander, 18 months. This Mother’s Day, the busy material mama is being honored by the Outstanding Mother Awards. Here, the 47-year-old shares her top New York spots to pamper both mother and child.
1 Lincoln Center, Broadway at 66th Street
“It’s crazy [during Fashion Week]! You can just sit by the fountain, get a cappuccino and watch the show! With [street-style] photographers included, it’s really become the runway.”
2 Zara, 1963 Broadway, at 66th Street
Zara’s kids’ clothes are really adorable. The baby [pieces] look like Bonpoint, but it’s Zara prices.”
PHOTOS: NINA GARCIA’S NEW YORK
3 Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle, 35 E. 76th St., at Madison Avenue
“It has a very Old New York feeling. But at the same time, you run into very random people there. Like one night, it could be Tom Ford, the next night, it could be Catherine Deneuve, or Miuccia Prada, these weird sightings! I go a lot with my husband; when we can have date night, it will be at the Carlyle. And you can listen to wonderful music. We saw Eartha Kitt, we saw Woody Allen. I really like margaritas there; that’s the only drink that I really have. I’m really into tequila.”
4 Uniqlo, 546 Broadway, between Prince and Spring streets
“What I really love about Uniqlo is their collaborations. They had the Jil Sander collaboration, now they have Jun Takahashi [of Undercover]. The other trick I do with Uniqlo is shop from their men’s [department]. In terms of their button-down shirts, or their cashmeres, or oxfords, I like the men’s. I just like clean and simple as opposed to very trendy.”
5 American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West at 79th Street
“They have a phenomenal science program for kids that lets them be little explorers. It makes them start thinking as scientists very early on. I’m very committed to that [program], because it’s a fantastic way to teach them about nature.”
6 Oscar de la Renta Kids, 772 Madison Ave., at 66th Street
“If I want something very traditional for Lucas — a nice button-down shirt, or a nice sweater — I go here.”
7 Bergdorf Goodman, 745 Fifth Ave., at 58th Street
“It’s a great place to dream. For me, the shoe department is really fantastic. They have an enormous selection. And the accessory selection is very good, both real and faux. I like the fact that it’s a department store, but has that boutique feeling. It’s like a dream experience, even if it’s not to go shopping, just to be inspired.”
8 Jacadi Paris, 1260 Third Ave., at 73rd Street
“I still like babies in very traditional clothes. So for the baby [Alex], I go to Jacadi for his basic rompers. He’s my baby, and this is my last baby! I don’t like to dress babies as big boys. I don’t want to dress him in jeans and T-shirts yet.”
9 Rosa Mexicano, 61 Columbus Ave., at 62nd Street
“I love Rosa Mexicano. It’s a big take-out spot for us. The kids like it and it’s close to work. I just wish I could take out those margaritas! Listen, I’ve tried.”