5 New York's Hidden Fashion Shoot Gem

by David Litwak | 2025-10-11

New York City has long been the heartbeat of global fashion. While Fifth Avenue runways and SoHo studios often steal the spotlight, the city hides countless secret backdrops that photographers and designers dream of discovering.

Beyond the glittering storefronts and iconic skylines lies a more intimate world that captures the city’s true essence. In this blog, we uncover such hidden gems, locations that embody New York’s timeless allure and offer the perfect canvas for your next fashion shoot.

Le Alfré turned our house into their own playground, styling signature pieces into the room itself.
Le Alfré turned our house into their own playground, styling signature pieces into the room itself

Brooklyn’s Williamsburg

A favorite among the fashion-forward, Williamsburg is where indie energy meets creative sophistication. Independent designers, vintage boutiques, and repurposed warehouses lend this neighborhood a distinctive visual texture — one that feels stylish and raw. Between cobblestone streets and rooftop views of the Manhattan skyline, Williamsburg offers a perfect backdrop for editorial shoots that celebrate individuality and urban flair.

Brooklyn’s Bushwick

Bushwick is where art and fashion collide in spectacular color. Its graffiti-clad walls, converted factory studios, and underground vibe make it a playground for avant-garde photographers. Pop-up shops and experimental fashion collectives thrive here, creating an ever-evolving aesthetic that captures New York’s rebellious creative spirit. For shoots that push boundaries and embrace authenticity, Bushwick is the canvas you’ve been looking for.

Maxwell and Clinique decor for Fashion Week Party
Clinique turned Maxwell corners into a sparkling centerpiece with a disco twist

Brooklyn’s Greenpoint

For the eco-conscious creative, Greenpoint offers a softer, more reflective side of New York fashion. With boutiques focused on sustainable design and vintage curation, it’s a haven for those who value both style and substance.

The neighborhood’s tree-lined streets, cozy cafes, and minimalist studios lend themselves to photo shoots that highlight natural textures, conscious living, and timeless elegance.

Queens’ Astoria

Astoria is where the world meets and it shows. This neighborhood’s rich cultural mix translates into a vibrant fashion scene infused with European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American influences.

Local boutiques showcase unique fabrics and artisanal jewelry that tell global stories through personal craftsmanship. Whether capturing bold colors or refined detail, Astoria offers a warm, worldly charm that stands apart from the city’s mainstream.

La La Anthony posing on a library ladder at the Tommy Hilfiger x SZA brunch at Maxwell Social.
Making the library her runway one shelf at a time

Maxwell Social

When Fashion Week hits New York, Maxwell becomes a second skin for brands, editors, and personalities who want a backdrop that carries style without forcing it.

We’ve worked with dozens of brands, helping them activate a new product, idea, or performance. Our space accommodates various activities, from concerts to fashion shows.

We’ve hosted standout moments like The Cut x Clinique launch, which transformed our Grand Room into a mirror-bright celebration of Clinique’s High-Fi Mascara, complete with a branded DJ booth and every detail photoready.

Or take Tommy Hilfiger x SZA’s brunch, where the energy filled every room. GloRilla, Quavo, Coi Leray, Karrueche Tran, and Jasmine Tookes mingled across our brownstone spaces.

Then there was Fossil’s launch with DJ Va$htie spinning from our custom setup, and Maddie Ziegler, Lucy Hale, and Young Mazino bringing their own lens to the evening. Whether framed by our built-in bookcases or caught under the glow of vintage chandeliers, every shot told the story of a space that fits the fashion world without needing to dress up for it.

Maxwell works best when it becomes a canvas for other creatives to paint on. Le Alfré brought the vision, we brought the space, and together we created something neither could achieve alone.

We host the kind of night that reminds you the best fashion moments happen where community and creativity collide rather than on traditional runways.

Book a tour of Maxwell to explore the space where New York’s most unforgettable fashion moments come to life.

The Cut x Clinique takeover transformed Maxwell’s Grand Room with high-volume energy and mirror-finish moments — just like the High-Fi Mascara they came to celebrate
The Cut x Clinique takeover transformed Maxwell’s Grand Room with high-volume energy and mirror-finish moments — just like the High-Fi Mascara they came to celebrate
Coi Leray, Carlacia Grant, and GloRilla pose in Tommy Hilfiger looks at the Maxwell Tribeca brunch
Coi Leray, Carlacia Grant, and GloRilla made a statement in signature Tommy looks.

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Address: 135 Watts, Floor 1, New York, NY, 10013

Walkable TO Westside Highway, One World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial, Duane Park, Battery Park

Nearby Neighborhoods

Tribeca, Financial District, SoHo, West Village, Greenwich Village, Nolita, Hudson Square

HOTELS NEARBY

Foquets, Greenwich Hotel, Arlo Soho, The Roxy, Soho Grand, The Frederick Hotel, Warren St Hotel, The Dominick, Hotel Hugo

LATE NIGHT spots nearby

Paul's Casablanca, Paul's Baby Grand, EAR Inn

Dinner spots nearby

The Odeon, Locanda Verde, Forgione, l'abeille, Wolfgang's Steakhouse, Yves, Mr Chows

Ready to join the family? We can’t wait to host you.

Ready to join the family? We can’t wait to host you.

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