Stepping Up
Shoes, glorious shoes! In the new Saks 10022-SHOE store, there’s so much fab footwear it would make Carrie Bradshaw’s head spin: more than 1,500 pairs, from coveted designers such as Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Dries Van Noten, as well as emerging talent like Nicholas Kirkwood and Tabitha Simmons. Saks Greenwich has always been a go-to for shoes and in the new stand-alone store there’s not only more selection—eighteen new brands, including seven exclusives in this area—but also much more room to admire the merchandise. “We wanted to expand our footprint and didn’t want to take away from that intimate boutique feeling that our customer loves,” says Joe Gambino, vice president and general manager of Saks Greenwich, of the new 14,000-square-foot design. The space has a feminine feel and a downtown vibe with its plush seating areas and cool lighting fixtures. Services offered in-store are as luxe as the surroundings. If you’re looking for the perfect stilettos for a black-tie event, for instance, you can bring in your dress (or have options brought over from the main Saks), use the private fitting room and work with a service associate to track down your sole mates. The same associates are happy to bring over jeans, accessories or anything else you may need from the main store. There’s also free same-day delivery within a fifty-mile radius of the store if you want a pair of boots or sneakers brought to your home.
10022-SHOE is the first of several Saks specialty stores planned in Greenwich, with The Collective for modern designer fashion slated to open in February and The Vault jewelry store in May. 20 East Elm Street, 203-862-5330; saksfifthavenue.com
Abundantly Stylish
Modeled after a modern Parisian salon, the chic new Copious Row is stocked with pieces from cutting-edge designers. “It’s for a woman who wants to be different. It’s about polishing a wardrobe, not building it,” says CEO David Chines, who learned the luxury- market world while working on Fendi and Pucci at LVMH and opened his first boutique in Sag Harbor. David is all about bringing in new designers, including international up-and-comers and those who are highly selective about where they’re sold. He adds that a Dubai-based designer recently flew here to visit in person. Swoon-worthy pieces—among his edited mix sequined skirts by Russian designer Kalmanovich, Ryan Roche cashmere, silk tops by Anna Valentine (who has designed for the royal family), Hugo Matha bags and Rauwolf clutches from Germany. Equally intriguing jewelry collections are displayed in the center of the store: sculptural colored gold and diamond jewelry from Neha Dani of India, jewelry from Dutch designer Bibi van der Velden, evil-eye necklaces from Delfina Delettrez Fendi. “The whole store is almost like a dream closet,” says David. 86 Greenwich Avenue, 203-340-2720
Fashion Passion
Ladies in the know who shop Shari’s Place on the Upper East Side or while vacationing in Palm Beach or Nantucket will be happy to discover that the boutique carrying top designers such as Chloe, Stella McCartney, Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu and Roberto Cavalli has opened in town. “We have a lot of clients who wanted the personal attention but didn’t want to go to the city,” says owner Shari Kaynes, who has been dressing fashion-forward women for decades. She has five locations besides the new boutique in the building that formerly housed Betteridge. In addition to a top selection of designer ready-to-wear, Shari’s specializes in high-end wardrobe essentials, including the company’s private label collection of Italian-made suede and leather as well as a line of cashmere blazers. The best-sellers are the leather bootleg pants and leggings, available in dozens of colors and sold with finely cut bottoms that are tailored to fit (complimentary tailoring on all garments). Complete the look with shoes from Santoni, Gravati and Rupert Sanderson to name a few, as well as fine jewelry and accessories. “I try to make it a one-stop shop,” says Shari. “Everybody’s busy and they’re coming to us to shop the whole look.” 117 Greenwich Avenue, 203-489-3888; sharisplace.com