NYC’s best 2022 holiday pop-ups and luxury shopping

The weather outside is frightful, but the holiday shopping is delightful. Before you hit the stores, browse Alexa’s curated guide to 17 of the season’s best pop-ups, fashion capsules and boutique openings in New York. Artisanal sweaters, collectible bags, slinky party dresses — and Gigi Hadid — await!

Looking for cool SoCal comfortwear? Aviator Nation is winging its way to a New York pop-up, open through Dec. 18. The ’70s-inspired brand, started by Paige Mycoskie in her Venice Beach garage and worn by Selena Gomez and Ben Affleck, offers everything from animal-print sweatsuits and unisex quilted hoodies to five-stripe glossy puffers. With soft, vintage-feel fabrics and relaxed fits, these are clothes to live in.

Secure your supermodel-approved cashmere at Guest in Residence’s Feel Shop. Founder and creative director Gigi Hadid has opened a Soho pop-up carrying plush men’s and women’s knitwear and accessories, including her colorful new Ski Lodge capsule. She also partnered with Popupflorist on a verdant shop-in-shop. An on-site florist will create unusual, seasonal wreaths as well as fresh and preserved bouquets, both grab-and-go and made-to-order. From your slope style to your door decor, Gigi’s got you.

Nordstrom’s Center Stage is pure retail theater. The flagship’s rotating in-store pop-up is dedicated this month to festive gifts from global makers and artisan labels. Check out the feel-good beauty and wellness favorites, charming toys and games, darling pet attire, fuzzy slippers, specialty kits and much more, from brands like Kitsch, Subu and Natalie Joy. If you’re in the market for stocking stuffers and adorable indie fare, start here. 

Bally, 58 Gansevoort St.

Switzerland’s 1956 Winter Olympics team sported Bally’s cozy Curling boots off-piste at the Cortina d’Ampezzo games in Italy, and the tiny country went on to medal six times in skiing and bobsleigh. Sixty-six years later, that rugged rubber-soled design has inspired an  après-ski ready-to-wear and accessories capsule, including a collab with the St. Moritz brand. Creative director Rhuigi Villaseñor melds Swiss alpine tradition with Western detailing and varsity codes for a collection as unique as curling. Broom not included.

The countdown to New Year’s Eve will be that much fizzier in Retrofête finery. The New York-based contemporary brand founded by Ohad Seroya and Aviad Klin has become a celeb go-to for red-carpet party dresses — just ask Paris Hilton, Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez. Now the label has opened a pop-up shop in Soho through Dec. 31 for all your night-out needs.

Former Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey and Peruvian Connection have knit together a stunning artisanal collab. The drop features everything from dramatic shearling coats and tiered dresses to the brand’s signature alpaca colorwork sweaters, ponchos, vests and hats. In fact, much of the collection was developed in small batches with the label’s Peru-based partners of many decades. Now that’s peak (Andean) chic. 

Macy’s, 151 W. 34th St.

Go for gold at the biggest store in the world. Macy’s has forged a gleaming, gilded, limited-edition collection of apparel and accessories from labels like Michael Kors, Juicy Couture and Guess. The made-for-Macy’s “Gilty Drop” includes everything from a Levi’s faux-leather moto jacket and an Yves Saint Laurent “Libre” eau de parfum set to Brookstone’s Gold Series wireless headphones, all in the most precious of metallics.

Kara, 168 Ludlow St.

The utterly unique and surprisingly affordable accessories and wearables brand founded by Sarah Law has opened its first pop-up shop on the Lower East Side. Open through Dec. 11, the boutique carries hero pieces like the Exploded Knot Armpit bag, made of puffy purple satin tied in Chinese knots, and a crystal mesh sling bag. Also find Kara styled by Andrea Grossi: the Italian designer’s head-turning capsule of handbags and wearable accessories crafted from deadstock garments. 

Call them Timbchoos. Here’s how they happened: Timberland teamed up with Jimmy Choo and together they tapped Harlem’s Fashion Row, which then connected them with New York-native designer Shanel Campbell. She worked with Choo Creative Director Sandra Choi on an electric seven-style men’s and women’s footwear collab celebrating New York swag. The pièce de résistance is a limited-edition heeled version of the Timbs 6-inch boot festooned with Swarovski crystals, available at Jimmy Choo stores.

Having popularized experiential retail and celebrity sightings at its Jean Bar, the fabled West Hollywood store is popping up in Soho. The NYC location, open through the holiday season, will showcase two collections: Neighborhoods and Found. The former is a unisex private label loungewear collection by designer Alfredo Settimio — think ultrasoft hoodies, sweats and tees with hip graphics — while the latter is a selection of vintage and upcycled men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Sustain your fit.

Ice skating at Rockefeller Center and selfie-taking at the magnificent 80-foot-tall Christmas tree are a holiday tradition. While you’re admiring the winter wonderland, swing by the Coach x Rock Center pop-up overlooking the rink. Stock up on giftable leather totes, backpacks and small leather goods and take advantage of the free gift-wrapping service. If you visit Friday to Sunday, enjoy complimentary goodies from Chip City Cookies, Dough Doughnuts or Magnolia Bakery at the hospitality cart.

What would Sir Elton John put on his Nice List? Thanks to Saks, we know he’d pick Gucci galore, iconic Versace, oversized sunglasses, glittery handbags, splashy sneakers and much more. The store teamed up with the artist on a partnership that includes his curated gift selection, a $1 million donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Rocket Fund and holiday window displays (through Jan. 3). Don’t miss the famous light show on the store’s façade, accompanied this year by a medley of the singer’s unforgettable tunes.

Fendi, 90 Prince St.

“It’s not a bag!” Carrie Bradshaw famously informed a mugger on “Sex and the City.” “It’s a Baguette!” Whatever you call it, Carrie is still slinging a sequined one on the “SATC” sequel, “And Just Like That.” This season, the Italian house fêtes the 25th anniversary of its collectable design with a Soho pop-up open through Dec. 23. Score archive Re-Editions, micro and mini versions, jewelry and small accessories, along with Baguette-themed ready-to-wear, accessories and even a high-top sneaker. Time to dress head-to-toe Baguette.

Enter Ugg’s multisensory pop-up in Williamsburg through a tunnel, then kick back in the soothing sanctuary. Special audio and lighting installations animate the shearling brand’s haven, which is open through Jan. 17. Visitors can draw or write on an interactive wall or sniff the custom scent by Olfactory NYC. And of course they can scoop up cozy sheepskin boots, including Bella Hadid’s favorite Classic Mini Platforms.

With designer names ranging from Alexander McQueen to Zimmermann as well as in-house stylists, Elysewalker is a one-stop shop for high-end clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Scarsdale, NY, native Elyse Walker founded her eponymous chain in California — where she has seven stores and plenty of celeb clients — and is expanding to New York this month with a Tribeca boutique at 39 N. Moore St., followed next spring by a large flagship at 926 Madison Ave. Add those addresses to your fashion GPS.

Ayesha Curry has just the recipe for effortless holiday gift giving. In honor of Bloomingdale’s 150th anniversary, the chef and TV personality handpicked more than 150 items for the Carousel pop-up inside the 59th Street flagship. Her selections include a new book, “Bloomingdale’s 150,” celebrating the fabled store, must-haves from brands like Furbish and Dear Annabelle, and bundles with items from her own Sweet July brand plus goodies from Black-owned labels she loves. Dig in.

Pick the perfect home accessories at L’Objet’s elegant new Upper East Side store. Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts, hostess presents or something exquisite for yourself, the cedar- and suede-lined boutique has you covered. Choose from founder and creative director Elad Yifrach’s distinctive objects, apothecary, home fragrances and tableware, along with custom pieces from Brooklyn-based creative Sourabh Gupta and Portuguese ceramicist Bela Silva. Your finds will be beautifully boxed and beribboned.

Temporary by Kenneth Cole is a pop-up with a purpose. Every quarter, the company will introduce a new assortment, with a percentage of sales dedicated to a charity. To start, the store at 57 Bond St. will feature 13 men’s fall looks, footwear and Voicewear (the company’s term for message merchandise) with money going to The Mental Health Coalition. Shoppers are treated to juices from Pressed and free delivery of purchases in the five boroughs via Uber. As one shirt says: “While there’s a world there’s a way.”