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“Reasons To Love New York,” December 5–18
The cover of New York’s 18th “Reasons to Love New York” issue featured a Pelle Cass image of 72 prominent locals — from artists to politicians to child influencers and more — all crossing a single intersection. On NY1, Pat Kiernan called it “the cover image that has everybody talking. It is a spectacular photograph that’s not quite what it appears to be, but it’s sure a lot of fun. It’s like playing a game of Where’s Waldo? with identifiable New Yorkers.” “I love the creative direction of this cover for so many reasons,” @brettagne_ wrote. “Every major city should have a ‘reasons to love’ publication.” The issue featured several dozen causes for affection. “I’ve never needed a reason,” designer Kenneth Cole said, “but if you do, here are 39.” The City Council’s Shahana Hanif tweeted, “There are far more than just 39 reasons to love New York City now (and forever), but I was so excited to see … two initiatives that my office has been working hard on.” Christopher Robbins, a founder of the new publication Hell Gate, joked, “Very grateful that @NYMag put @HellGateNY where we belong: below La Guardia Airport but above Frank Lloyd Wright.” On Instagram, it was our most popular post ever. Youvegotkev wrote, “tag yourself I’m the lady who has fallen to the ground in the presence of Christine Baranski.” And Adam Faze commented, “i’m so sorry to the new yorkers im offending by being in this.” Of the cover, Ayla Zuraw-Friedland wrote, “It feels less ‘look at these notable New Yorkers’ and more ‘look at these wealthy people who own property here’ but maybe I’m a killjoy!!!” Taryn Williford said it was “nothing short of amazing how this cover with 72 celebs crossing a not-closed-to-cars intersection came together.” Actor Ken Stancil Jr. tweeted that the logistics “make my palms sweat from anxiety. Amazing work. Mad props to Pelle and the whole NY mag team.” And @lesliedincecco wrote, “I’ll never stop thinking about the time i almost hit wayne diamond with a citi bike. what a city.”
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