I moved from Milan to New York seven years ago with my family. I was born and raised in Italy but my parents are Persian, and like any person with a mixed background, I felt immediately at ease in the city, spending my first years downtown, and, eventually, moving to the Upper East Side for love.
Many of my Instagram followers ask me advice on coming to New York. There are so many girls that dream to move here for a period of time. I tell them that unless they come to study or have a work connection it could be quite complicated. They also ask me about how life is in the city, if it is really as portrayed in Sex and the City and Gossip Girl. I answer that finding love is certainly hard, the dating scene is quite harsh, but one big misconception is that all women stroll around the street in perfectly styled. That is certainly not true, people are very casual in the city. One exception are the Upper East Side women. Even at 7 am at my barre class, they show up with impeccable outfits, flawless hair and makeup, and wearing amazing jewelry.
Pardis Zarei with her brother Shirzad (ph via IG)
I love fashion of course, but I am a classic girl. I wear a lot of black and I am obsessed with accessories, especially my Chanel bags. I am widely influenced by my mother and Milan’s understated style that stays with you throughout your life. My best friend Chiara Ferragni is, of course, a great fashion icon. We have different styles, but she always makes me discover cool accessories and new brands. Instagram is certainly a great way to get styling ideas, researching outfits and different ways to wear them. I also use it as a personal diary, I can stroll through so many great memories on my page.
Pardis Zarei and her BFF Chiara Ferragni, a true friendship born ten years ago (ph via IG)
New York stores have a more eclectic style, especially downtown, where I also enjoy shopping for vintage accessories. I feel that there is more creativity here. That said, I am very saddened by the closing of Barneys, it was truly my favorite store. I fly often to Milan where I find classic staples to add to my wardrobe. It’s quite easy there, you have all the luxury brands in Via Montenapoleone and a wide variety of stores in the close by Corso Vittorio Emanuele. I really like Antonia as well, a boutique in the Brera district that has a curated selection of brands. During my trips, I take the opportunity to eat in some of my favorite restaurants, Da Giacomo, Langosteria, and enjoying an aperitivo with my friends at the legendary Radetzki.
Pardis Zarei at Guggenheim Museum, NYC (ph via IG)
However, I feel fortunate that I can find so many aspects of my Italian lifestyle in New York, in particular when it comes to food. I often shop at Eataly for a great selection of focaccia, cheeses like stracchino, prosciutto, Mulino Bianco cookies and everyday items such as meat and fish, that are always of high quality. I also have Agata & Valentina close by, another great spot to find Italian staples.
Pardis Zarei, bridesmaid at Chiara Ferragni's wedding (ph via IG)
Breakfast is often at Sant Ambroeus, they have the best cappuccino. I always bump into friends in their Soho restaurant during the weekend brunch and I love their South Hamptons as well. I am also a huge fan of Piccola Cucina, they make fantastic pasta, for example, pasta alla norma, with an eggplant sauce, and spaghetti ai ricci di mare, topped with urchins. I like their Spring street restaurant for lunch and Estiatorio for dinner, it has such a fun atmosphere. I even ate in their Ibiza outpost. Cipriani Downtown in Soho has amazing food and a great scene, I often see models and celebrities such as Leo di Caprio and Cuba Gooding Jr. I order their tuna tartare and cotoletta, their delicious veal breaded cutlet, and can’t resist the torta alla meringa (meringue cake). In summer, when I am in the mood for an aperitivo, I have a Bellini and a quick bite at in Cipriani Wall Street Terrace. Felice Wine Bar, in my neighborhood, is also a good spot for aperitivo and their next-door restaurant for their laid back weekend brunch.
As told to Carole Hallac
Pardis Zarei's portrait
Born and raised in Italy with parents from Milan, Pardis spent most of her life in Milan where she graduated in Business and Finance at Università Cattolica. After graduating, she decided to take care of her family business and moved to New York in 2012. Inspired by the New York dynamic Real Estate Market and having always had a love for aesthetics and design, she became a real estate broker, working mostly with international investors. Over the past year, she has been working on her new project, a candles line which is going to be launched very soon. Having Persian origins and raised in Europe, she has always been fascinated by the Mediterranean and middle eastern scents. This project allows her to combine my business background with her passion for fragrances and her love for design.