Shop the Season: Studio Manhattan Art & Design

Nina takes advantage of her office's close proximity to the Holiday Shops to check a few items off her gift list.

Whether you’re a New Yorker with hometown pride or a visitor looking to take home a piece of the Big Apple, you’ll love what Studio Manhattan Art + Design is offering in our Holiday Shops. You can find all manner of wallets, belts, bags, tags, and cases featuring vintage scenes and stylish signage from around New York City and the world. Studio Manhattan is a super-cool upgrade from your standard souvenir store however, since all images here are original photos taken by photojournalist and shop owner Ayhan Kimsesizcan and then hand-printed for one-of-a-kind accessories.

I was drawn into the kiosk since I’m a signage and typography lover too, and after just a quick glance around I was seriously considering ditching my current phone case for one of theirs ($22 for iPhone 4 case; $24 for iPhone 5 case). In addition to these classic hardshell cases, the shop also had interesting leather slipcovers for iPhones, held closed with a magnetized ribbon (pictured below).

I also loved their messenger bags and their leather coin purses (an essential for laundry day in NYC). I bet you’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list right here, whether it’s a leather belt for your Broadway-obsessed cousin in Texas or an iPhone case printed with NYC graffiti for your little brother going through a gansta rap phase. I hope my parents aren’t reading this, since Mom’s getting a funky luggage tag and Dad’s getting a credit card case with some street cred. Shhh!


Studio Manhattan Art + Design

Booth J10 on the Upper Terrace  (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Monday – Friday: 11am - 8pm
Saturday: 10am - 9pm
Sunday: 10am - 6pm