Selina Yang Takes Us Along For Her Ideal New York City Staycation

For Australia native and creative director Selina Yang, New York officially became home last February. "It's a completely different rhythm from Australia," she tells Coveteur. "Everything is walkable, condensed, and accessible at any hour. For someone like me who is very spontaneous and admittedly a little impatient, that immediacy suits me perfectly."

As she's settled into city life, Yang, like so many New Yorkers, has sought out her little pockets—the places she turns to for that morning matcha, a cozy corner to get work done, and neighborhoods she turns to for inspiration. Ahead, Yang brings us along for a staycation in the city, where we get a glimpse inside city life and the looks she wears from day-to-night.

How has living in NYC shaped your style? How has it evolved since you moved here?

"I barely wore color before moving here. Now I’m slowly but surely starting to incorporate more color into my wardrobe. More than that, I've stopped dressing for trends or scrolling for inspiration before getting ready. I get dressed based on how I feel that day, trusting my intuition over the algorithm and I've become far more comfortable standing by those choices."

Tell us a bit about your watch.

"It's the Classics Manchette by Frederique Constant," she says. "The turquoise face is unlike anything else I own; it lifts even the simplest outfit. What surprised me is how versatile it actually is despite the boldness. This watch has the ability to elevate a pared-back look and ground a more polished one just as easily."

Where do you look for inspiration? Is there anywhere in New York City you go when you're looking to ignite your creativity?

"I study Meisner at William Esper in their two-year acting program and I never leave class without feeling recharged. The range of backgrounds and the boldness of choices people make in that room is genuinely inspiring. Beyond that, the city itself does the work, you don't have to seek out art here, you just have to step outside. Whatever pocket of New York you're in, something's always happening that sparks fresh ideas."

How long have you lived in New York City? What do you love about it? And what's the most underrated part of living here?

"I split my time between New York and Melbourne for about a year before finally committing to the move last February. It’s cliché, but what I love most is the energy of the city, there’s a reason why people always say that because it’s true. Everyone I meet is chasing some kind of creative pursuit, and there's an honesty to how people carry their stories here. People here are unguarded about who they are and what they're building."

You took us along for a quintessential NYC day—matcha runs, gallery and flea market stops, dinner in SoHo. If someone's visiting, what else should be on their list?

"Pick a borough and just walk. You'll stumble on more than any guide could point you to because every day is something different. That's the beautiful thing about the city. You can visit a borough over and over again without it getting repetitive. Catch a show, Broadway or off, there’s also so much live comedy and music around the city to explore."

Rapid fire!

Uptown or downtown?
"I’m a downtown girl at heart."
123 line or 456 line?
"123"
Knicks or Nets?
"I don’t follow basketball, but even I know Knicks in 5!" 
Washington Square Park or Tompkins Square Park?
"Washington Square Park, but I love Madison Square Park the most."
New York, New York by Frank Sinatra or Empire State of Mind by Jay Z? "Empire State of Mind."
Dimes Square or Times Square?
"Dimes Square for the vibes, but I’m manifesting a billboard in Times Square one day."
Rats or Roaches?
"Neither, but rats only because I was born in the year of the rat."
Broadway or a comedy show?
"Broadway" 
Penn Station or Grand Central?
"Grand Central"