The Culture List: Every Buzzy Thing to See, Do, and Visit This Fall

In The Culture List column, Kristen Nichols weighs in on culture through the lens of fashion—including what to know in events, travel, restaurants, films, art, music, and more.

Just as summer has come to a close, fall is kicking off with some hotly anticipated new openings that have the fashion set eager to book flights and secure impossible-to-get reservations. Carbone just arrived in London, which is proving to be just as difficult to secure a table at as the original NYC locale. It also served as the party venue for British Vogue’s Raye cover launch at London Fashion Week. Those visiting London will also want to stop by the Victoria and Albert Museum for the Marie Antoinette style exhibition, featuring everything from oil paintings of the queen to shoe sketches from the Sofia Coppola film.

For those in search of more on the travel-and-hospitality front, some buzzy new hotels are ready to open their doors, including a handful we’re predicting will be frequented by the most in-the-know insiders. The Faena in New York is one of the most highly anticipated hotel openings in the city in recent memory, as is the upcoming White Elephant hotel set to open its doors in Aspen in December. The Aspen World Snow Polo Championship will bring even more people to the alps—it's proving to be one of the hottest events to travel to during snow season as the fashion set further entrenches itself into the sporting world. Meanwhile, the upcoming releases of Frankenstein and One Battle After Another will influence what everyone is watching and talking about in the coming months. Read on for Who What Wear’s top cultural highlights for fall 2025, including everything to see, do, and visit.

Faena, New York, New York

While it has established locales in Buenos Aires and Miami, Faena opened its doors in New York this September—the latest hotel to arrive on the NYC scene. The Faena Design Team is bringing its unique spirit to New York with its signatures maximalist designs featuring richly layered spaces with the theatrical elegance of old New York glamour with leopard prints, opulent chandeliers, and moody lighting.

White Elephant, Aspen, Colorado

Known for its iconic Nantucket and Palm Beach hotels, the White Elephant is debuting its latest destination in Aspen, Colorado, steps from downtown. Set to open in December 2025, the 54-room hotel will be housed in a modernist boutique structure with contemporary designs by Boston-based architectural firm Embarc. Its interiors will mix a rich color palette of rust, warm whites, and deep charcoal with leather, wood, and stone textures.

Aman Rosa, Alpina, Italy

The Dolomites have become one of the hottest destinations in Italy. The latest opening is the Aman Rosa Alpina. A long-cherished retreat since 1939, the historic hotel emerges refreshed and thoughtfully reimagined by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston to reflect the heritage of the region.

Kith Ivy, New York, New York

Kith is unveiling its latest project: a luxury padel club set in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Beyond a fitness club, the space features a Giorgio Armani spa, a restaurant from NYC institution Café Mogador, and the very first Erewhon in New York.

Carbone, London, England

Carbone's restaurants began in NYC to evoke the food of Little Italy and became one of the most difficult reservations to get in the city. Since, locations have popped up everywhere from Miami to Las Vegas. The latest restaurant just opened in London, marking its first location in Europe, where the spicy rigatoni and baked clams are sure to be just as in demand as the original outpost.

Meadow Lane, Tribeca, New York

For years, New York has been searching for its answer to Erewhon. Many have attempted but few have come close. Though there is the first Erewhon coming to New York within private member's club, Kith Ivy, it has less access than the L.A. output. For a great alternative, the new Meadow Lane in Tribeca is poised to be Erewhon-adjacent as the latest gourmet grocer to arrive in Manhattan.

Frieze

Frieze London is one of the most important contemporary art fairs in the world. Founded in 2003, it showcases cutting-edge contemporary art from the world’s leading galleries and has become a major cultural moment on London’s calendar each October.

Aspen World Snow Polo Championship

With the fashion and sporting worlds merging, it was only a matter of time until polo came even further under the fold. Events such as Snow Polo St. Moritz have been big for years, but now it's becoming big stateside. Last year, the fashion set descended upon the St. Regis in Aspen for the annual event, which is set to draw an even bigger crowd in 2025.

Art Basel

Each December, Art Basel brings together the worlds of art, fashion, and design in Miami. While it began as one of the biggest art fairs in the world, it now also hosts a number of exclusive parties, pop-up music events, and dinners in Miami Beach.

Frankenstein

With a star-studded cast including Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth, Frankenstein is set to be one of the biggest films of the season. Guillermo del Toro is bringing the American gothic science fiction film to life in his new vision for 2025.

One Battle After Another

Early Oscar buzz is making One Battle After Another one of the most anticipated films of the year. Paul Thomas Anderson is the director, and the star-studded cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor plus newcomer Chase Infiniti.

Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl

Just before news of her engagement to Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift announced the upcoming release of her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. The new music for her 12th studio album is dropping on October 3 and is primed to be the soundtrack to fall 2025.

Marie Antoinette Style Exhibition, The Victoria and Albert Museum

The style of Marie Antoinette has long been under study, with everything from oil paintings during her reign to Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film. Bringing many elements of the French queen’s fashion together, Marie Antoinette Style at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London explores the lasting influence of the fashionable (and ill-fated) queen with over 250 years of design, fashion, film, and art.