The Scandal Collection

PARIS — As much of the fashion world descends on Paris for the couture collections this week, a small but unmissable exhibition now entering its final weeks here is a bracing reminder that there was a time when a fashion show was global news

“Yves Saint Laurent 1971: The Scandal Collection,” on display at the Fondation Pierre Bergé — Yves Saint Laurent, recreates the 80-piece spring collection from that year, the first by Saint Laurent to be considered, at least by the press and customers of that era, an unmitigated disaster.

Manicure in NY

 We don’t mean to brag, but New York City is the birthplace of a very important place: the nail salon. Back in 1878, an entrepreneurial woman opened Mrs. Pray's Manicure, the country’s first parlor for the treatment, filing, and buffing of nails. (Actual lacquer, as we know it, wasn’t invented for a few more decades.)

These days, our fair city is home to more than 1,000 nail salons. And, while we can appreciate giving ourselves a good DIY mani while binge-watching OITNB, let’s be honest: nail care is one beauty ritual that we’re more than happy to outsource. 

So, we’ve handpicked nine of the city’s absolute best places for a manicure/pedicure, from nail-art galleries to affordable spots that won’t make you fear a staph infection. (Always a plus, in our book.) Read on for the polish palaces we swear by — and be sure to let us know about your go-tos, too.