Reasons To Love New York #1: Exhibitions and stuff

I'm no artist. I'm certainly no expert in art. But I am an art-fan, especially when it involves photography, fashion and/or anything that gives me an insight into the cool, and glamorous years I wasn't alive for. New York has one of the most thriving art scenes in the world and there's a new exhibition in town every other day. You're never short of a culture kick in this city.

Thursday was the opening of Lost then Found, a small collection of previously unseen portraits of Andy Warhol by the British photographer Steve Woods. The exhibition starts at the 345meatpacking gallery in the heart of Chelsea, before moving to London next week. I headed down with my only born-and-bred New Yorker pal Sarah. That's us below; I'm on the right.

I'll be honest, photos aside we were also there for the open bar and celebrity sightings - Courtney Love looking surprisingly fresh-faced and Fat Boy Slim supping cocktails. Go to an industry party, press viewing, launch or opening in New York and there's a fully stocked bar and dozens of canapes running throughout the event. Not like most London parties where you're lucky to get a free beer or warm glass of wine. No no, New York does things properly. I was at a party thrown by ELLE magazine a couple of weeks ago and they had champagne and mini-burgers flowing until 1am.

Next up, Punk: Chaos to Couture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The MET is actually closed today in preparation for tonight's  MET Ball, however did open this morning purely for press to have a first look at the exhibition. Anna Wintour made an appearance along with Riccardo Tisci (he who is credited for reinventing Givenchy) and pretty much every fashion editor in New York. I was the only Brit, only one in denim, and only one eating. A huge disappointment to my profession and country. *Disclaimer: Obviously I did not know it would be some huge fashion event. It was a Monday morning press thing, not Saturday night at Studio 54.

Onto the exhibition. Lit only by neon spotlights and wall projections of Sex Pistols performances, various rooms took us through different stages of punk fashion; the early days of ripped tartan trousers, studded leather jackets and safety-pin t-shirts, to the phenomenal effect punk had on high fashion. Mannequins were adorned with furry black or bright coloured wigs covering faces and dresses by Viktor & Rolf, Gianni Versace, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and, of course, punk pioneer herself Vivienne Westwood (above). I say dresses, they are in fact works of art.

Check out this jaw-dropping bondage outfit by Versace and this swimsuit made of plastic white bin bags by Maison Martin Margiela. Cool, huh?