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Fabrizio Brienza

Occupation Actor/Model/Nightlife Curator

Hometown Campobasso, Italy

Current Residence Union Square

Fabrizio Brienza is an Italian actor and model who has called New York home since 2004. He’s made his mark in both the nightlife industry and the world of luxury fashion where he worked for some of the biggest names—Versace Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Ferre, and Valentino, among them. Stylish and in-the-know, Fabrizio shares with GrandLife his favorite late-night hangouts, brunch spots, and where to go for the best home-style Italian cooking.

WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE?
The Nighthawk.

WHAT CAN’T YOU TRAVEL WITHOUT AND WHY?
My travel-size massager. It’s the best. I wake up stiff sometimes and she takes care of it.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION AND WHY?
Napoli… Vedi Napoli e poi muori…

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN NYC?
Sleeping after the party.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE PERSON TO SHOW YOU “THEIR NEW YORK CITY,” WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Warhol, Basquiat, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf. Fun fact, my thesis at the Accademia delle Arti in Firenze was on Scharf.

WHAT OR WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY AND WHY?
Paul Sevigny and Brian McPeck. I appreciate the way they run the club scene in today’s world. Old-school style like Eric Goode and Peter Gatien.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NYC RESTAURANTS? WHAT DO YOU ORDER THERE?
Ribalta. It’s like my mom’s cooking! I always order the cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SPOT IN NYC FOR DRINKS?
Surprisingly, I don’t really drink.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC BRUNCH SPOTS; WHAT DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU GO?
The Soho Grand and the Roxy Hotel. I also love the Hugo Hotel. Very discreet location. I order everything. I can eat.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ART FIX IN NYC? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST?
My closet. Me.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LATE-NIGHT HANGOUTS IN NYC AND WHY?
Casablanca. I kill two pigeons with one stone because I work there plus I have a blast.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR UNDER-THE-RADAR MUST-DO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NYC VISITORS?
Stay away from Times Square.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC STORES AND WHY?
I like everything that is not corporate.

WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS? WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS?
Italo disco, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Rony Seikaly… I love ’80s and ’90s rock ballads.

WHAT ALBUM OR SONG WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL SOUNDTRACK TO NYC?
Joe Jackson’s Night and Day.