Filed under: fashion, Luxury, Shopping, top-feature
Shopping Fifth Avenue in New York City
Fashionistas, established and aspiring, know that New York City’s Fifth Avenue is where the most fabulous fashion is happening, every day. If you are like me and you spend hours pouring over issues of Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire, a trip to this mecca of high-fashion is a must. Here is my “editorial” approach to a day (or a weekend – or a lifetime!) of shopping along the ultimate fashion runway.
Jewelry
Who can forget the iconic image of Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly from the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, standing on Fifth Avenue in front of the world’s most famous jewelry store, her breakfast in hand, her eyes shaded by oversized black sunglasses? That face – and those jewels – helped Hepburn reinvented the little black dress in that cinematic moment. To me, a trip to New York City’s Fifth Avenue should start and end with a visit to Tiffany & Co. In spite of already being married, I never turn down a chance to try on the engagement rings! Visit Tiffany & Co. at 5th Ave. and 57th St. (map) Monday through Saturday 10 AM-7 PM, Sunday from Noon-6 PM.
Red carpet watchers know that Harry Winston is on the lips – and the ears, wrists, and throats – of some of the biggest Hollywood stars, and that has been the case for decades. In the 1953 classic film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” Marilyn Monroe’s vamping Lorelei Lee exclaims “Harry Winston, talk to me!” during her “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” number. A visit to Harry Winston is a delight, and the experience of shopping there? Unparalleled! Truly wearable art, and not mere “jewelry”, Harry Winston has earned the title “Jeweler to the Stars”. Harry Winston is located at 718 5th Ave. at 56th St. (map) and you can visit them Monday through Saturday 10 AM-6 PM.
Clothes
Home sweet home for style-watchers.
Saks Fifth Avenue is synonymous with high-end fashion and is another icon of the style industry. A trip to Fifth Avenue simply is not complete without stopping in to browse through the collections of such famous designers as Diane von Furstenberg, St. John, Burburry, Yves Saint Laurent and Tory Burch. The New York 5th Ave. store is Saks’ flagship location, which makes it as much as much a New York City institution (at least for fashion addicts like myself) as the Statue of Liberty. A great way to celebrate a weekend in New York City with your mom, sister, bridal party, or college girlfriends is to schedule a pampering session in between shopping sessions at a Saks salon or spa. Saks Fifth Avenue is located at 611 5th Ave. (Travel Guide) and you can visit them Monday through Saturday from 10 AM-8 PM, Sunday from Noon-7 PM.
Head to Toe: Shoes and Makeup
Shoppers and commuters taking their bite of The Big Apple.
The two words “shoes and makeup” immediately bring to mind two more words when I think about a trip to Fifth Avenue: Bergdorf Goodman. If you love fashion and you’ve never been to Bergdorf Goodman, it is high time you schedule a visit. Exclusive makeup counters make this a one-stop shopping haven; I could spend all day among the lotions, creams and powders by such luxury skin care lines like Chantecaille, Kanebo Sensai, and La Mer. You just might lose an hour or two while brand representatives tempt and tantalize you with their little pots and potions. A trip to the Bergdorf Goodman beauty counters makes a fun day for a bridal party outing, or for moms and daughters looking for some pampered bonding time. Treat yourself to something special!
Even if you spend more time than you intend at the beauty counter – and you just might – do not miss the Shoe Salon at Bergdorf Goodman. In this post-”Sex and The City” world you won’t want to miss the magnificent Manolos or the lovely Louboutins. As for myself, I’ve been ogling a pair of Mui Mui scalloped
patent pumps for the last week or so. The Shoe Salon is a “must stop” for brides-to-be who want to treat themselves to an extra-special pair of shoes for the big day.
Visit Bergdorf Goodman at 754 5th Ave. (map), Monday through Friday from 10 AM-8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM-7 PM, and Sunday from Noon-6 PM.
Accessories
Once you have the shoes, the jewels, and the makeup you need to accessorize. Ogling Fendi belts and glasses in the pages of your favorite glossy is one thing, but there is nothing like getting up close and personal with these beautiful accessories. My favorite item at the moment is from their bag collection – the Logo Soft Boston Bag from the 2010 Classical Bags collection is begging me to take it around the world and back. Gorgeous! Fendi is located at 677 5th Ave. (map) and they are open Monday through Saturday 10 AM-7 PM, Sunday Noon-6 PM.
Relax in Luxury: The Plaza Hotel
The beautiful, historic Plaza Hotel.
Whether you are in the city for a day or for the weekend, shopping along Fifth Avenue begs for a leisurely lunch at The Plaza Hotel. The Plaza has been frequented by the world’s most famous authors, musicians, and dignitaries and has been used as a setting in some of America’s most enduring works of art, both literary and cinematic. Most sources cite The Plaza’s first movie appearance in my favorite Hitchcock film, “North by Northwest”.
There are four restaurants to choose from at The Plaza: the Palm Court, the Oak Room & Oak Bar, the Rose Club and the Champagne Bar. The Palm Court serves lunch from 11:30 AM-2 PM, but in the afternoon the famous and formal afternoon tea service from 2 PM-5 PM is my pick for a shopping hiatus. Reservations can be made online or by phone. Attire in the Palm Court is business casual.
The Plaza Hotel is located at 5th Ave. and Central Park (map). In addition to their beautiful rooms and exquisite restaurants and cocktail lounges, the Plaza offers an incredible architectural tour, by appointment.
Photos credits: Benjamin Esham (5th Ave. street sign); Andy C. (Saks & Company sign); Leif Knutsen (street view, Fifth Avenue); Infratec (Plaza Hotel).
