Avenues Decked With Megawatt Décor and New Stores

‘Tis the season for me to send you warm wishes and talk shop about the City’s retail landscape. Look around – Manhattan is twinkling with the best new stores, all boasting to-die-for decadence. Aren’t you glad you’ve been good this year? Join me on a whirlwind review of Manhattan for the holidays: the Twelve Days of Shopping.

On the First day of Shopping, my true love went with me, on a stroll through the City to enjoy extravagant holiday decorations. People come from far and wide to see Manhattan’s glistening displays. At Bergdorf Goodman, Hollywood designer Tony Duquette inspired the windows, which depict “The Elements” – air, water, fire, earth and light. The windows are decked in jewels and haute couture. Barney’s “Green Christmas” theme advances an eco-conscious agenda, replete with recyclable objects and Metrocards in the display. “Sense and Time” at Lord & Taylor brings history alive along Fifth Avenue, showing families from different eras celebrating their Christmas traditions. Henri Bendel is wishing his customers “Sweet Dreams” in this year’s window display. Silver, gold and Swarovski crystals adorn the dream sequence which provides an oasis amidst bustling Fifth Avenue. Longtime favorite Saks Fifth Avenue continues its annual snowflake motif with “Let it Snow,” also incorporated into a children’s book, whose proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. “Art in Bloomingdale’s” displays artwork created by city youth. The original artwork includes such outlandish concepts only a child could imagine, such as a “snow cobra” and an “alien queen.” Finally, in a playful and dizzying display, Macy’s built a roller coaster in their windows, boasting exciting topsy-turvy snowy displays. Heightening the holiday anticipation, Macy’s New York flagship and other area branches will welcome shoppers around the clock until Christmas Eve.

On the Second day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, glistening jewels from the Gold Coast. Madison Avenue enjoyed an influx of jewelers this year, prompting renovations by old favorites. Chopard’s red carpet is out at its grandiose 709 Madison Avenue location. Leviev’s extraordinary diamonds are now on display at its first U.S. location, 698 Madison Avenue. Antique jeweler extraordinaire, Kentshire Galleries, shines at 700 Madison Avenue. Pomellato and Asprey are already bustling with business while locations by Graff, Kwiat, Mauboussin, and Di Modolo will debut by Valentine’s Day.

On the Third day of Shopping, my true love went with me, to grandiose, newly renovated flagships. Dolce & Gabbana’s refurbished 825 Madison embraces a unique new design that houses men’s and women’s lines separately. The triplex women’s store boasts black Venetian glass chandeliers and luxe dressing rooms, while the men’s store is outfitted with walnut wall panels and smoked-glass. Louis Vuitton’s 57th Street Palace will expand into the building adjacent, creating another four-floor emporium. We all eagerly await the unveiling of Gucci’s massive multi floor flagship on the 56th street corner of Fifth Avenue. Directly across the street, Giorgio Armani will be joining the lineup in the former Hugo Boss store.

On the Fourth day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, an array of über-luxurious gifts. This season, Manhattan has redefined the term “über-luxury,” with Fabulous Fifth Avenue’s Four Jewels spearheading the movement. Bulgari’s newly renovated palace glistens on one corner and Van Cleef & Arpels continues to amaze with decadent window displays. The quintessential Tiffany & Company completes the picture on the southeast corner. A fifth jewel debuted: Fortunoff unveiled a two-level jewelry haven next to Van Cleef, At Bergdorf Goodman, Hollywood designer Tony Duquette inspired the windows, which depict “The Elements” – air, wa ter, fire, earth and light. joining such luxury heavy hitters as Cartier, Harry Winston, Piaget, and Mikimoto.

On the Fifth day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, dazzling, decadent shoes. From the “10022-Shoe” department launched at Saks Fifth Avenue earlier this year to the myriad of new entries and renovations, shoe-obsessed shoppers have never been more pampered. Christian Louboutin opened at 965 Madison while Iris and Te Casan have enjoyed success downtown. Guiseppe Zanotti’s impressive expansion at 806 Madison is simply irresistible. Footwear designer Diana Broussard now has her first retail space at 22 Christopher Street.

On the Sixth day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, gifts for a fabulous modern home. The new Crate and Barrel division, CB2, decorates 451 Broadway, while Muji took over 455 Broadway. Dean & DeLuca will have a gourmet store at 620 Eighth Avenue. 97 Warren Street welcomed a Barnes & Noble large enough to house well over 200,000 titles. Scully & Scully at 504 Park Avenue has expanded yet again, now encompassing the second floor. Elite interior specialists Bobby Berk Home took 59 Crosby. Florence-based furniture retailer Flair Home Collection is planning its first store at 88 Grand Street. On the heels of Apple’s Fifth Avenue success, the company’s three-level outpost in the Meatpacking District just opened. The aesthetic location is the company’s largest to date, attracting thousands of visitors a day, with throngs of people waiting in line – just steps away from the soon-to-arrive Barney’s location!

On the Seventh day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, a preview of the Plaza’s luxury lineup. Some of the exciting shops set to join the legendary building’s retail include MCM, Montblanc, Seize sur Vingt, Kenneth Jay Lane, Jay Strongwater, Morgenthal Frederics, Assouline, Warren Tricomi, and Don Eduardo et Donna Rosalia.

On the Eighth day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, environmentally-friendly couture. In addition to “green” windows, Barneys New York adopted the slogan “Have a Green Holiday,” purveying environmentally friendly gifts. As self-proclaimed subscribers to the green revolution, the high-end department store is selling organic cotton t-shirts, handknit scarves of freerange alpaca yarn, and also promises to donate a portion of jewelry proceeds to environmental organizations. Well-heeled shoppers know the importance of being on the cutting edge of retail trends, and wearing green will definitely last beyond the holiday season. Look for more stores, from every price point, to advance an eco-conscious agenda in 2008.

On the Ninth day of Shopping, my true love went with me, to the luxury-laden Financial District. This neighborhood is flourishing as an area for both work and play, and is quickly becoming the new corridor for opulent shopping. With entries by Armani Casa, Canali, Sephora, Hermes, Tiffany’s, Thomas Pink, Tumi and Brioni, the Financial District is not only the next top market for luxe shopping but also the epicenter of men’s haute fashion.

On the Tenth day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, fashionable, embraceable cashmere. Manrico Cashmere is at 922 Madison, while Ports 1961 has a freestanding shop on Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District. TSE Cashmere’s new home is 120 Wooster St and Uniqlo continues to purvey soft sweaters at 546 Broadway.

On the Eleventh day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, luxe innerwear to enhance any ensemble. French lingerie brand Pull-In, is preparing for its first stateside boutique at 252 Elizabeth Street. In the Shops at Columbus Circle at the Time Warner Center, a Wolford boutique made an entrance. Fogal of Switzerland opened at 611 Madison Avenue.

On the Twelfth day of Shopping, my true love sent to me, gifts from a vast array of new international shopping options. Parisian apparel company Diab’less has its first east coast store at 1138 Third Avenue. Sarar will open at 375 Madison just down the street from Italy’s La Camiceria, which recently launched at number 509. Yoga-focused sportswear shop Lululemon Athletica debuted at One Union Square West. Korres, cosmetics from Greece, brought a flagship to 110 Wooster Street. Spanish retailer MNG by Mango has joined the fast fashion race at 561 Broadway. A showcase of Belgian designers can be found at Le Sous Sol, newly unveiled at 137 Rivington Street. The most important international news comes from Great Britain – Topshop Soho will open at 478 Broadway, nestled among established retailers Bloomingdale’s, Uniqlo, Prada, cheap-chic H&M and Forever 21.