TOP SPOTS FOR VIP SHOPPING
In VIP rooms of department stores and boutiques, loyal customers enjoy pampering, special services and early access to the latest arrivals from top designers. The cost? It's free for big spenders. Here are the world's top spots.
Barneys, New York
What used to be the New York mainstay's bridal atelier now serves as a space for VIP clients, with salespeople bringing in garments for review, wine and champagne ready to pour and a terrace that offers stunning views of the city. Snacks from the in-store restaurant, Fred's--including Baltimore crab cakes and Mark's Madison salad are often ordered to quell cravings mid-shopping.
Bergdorf Goodman, New York
What keeps Bergdorf's at the top? Expert salespeople serve as personal shoppers for a distinct selection of brands from Lanvin to Tim Hamilton. They'll even put together looks for you prior to your arrival. Lunch and tea--which might include deviled egg mousse finger sandwiches with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV--can be ordered from the BG, the store's restaurant. The salon itself is sparse, but has comfortable couches and many mirrors.
Neiman Marcus, Dallas
The flagship location of this national department store offers Dallas' "ladies who lunch" a break from the stifling Texas heat in their VIP room, where they're waited on hand and foot by an experienced personal shopper. Guests slurp up the restaurant's famous white-bean chicken chili, or keep alert with shots from the espresso bar.
Van Cleef & Arpels, Bal Harbour, Fla.
If you're one of Van Cleef's most valued clients, they might just close down the entire store for you during business hours, as they did for philanthropist and movie investor Allison Weiss Brady's bridal shower--yes, Brady's girlfriends did spend money at the event--the amount is undisclosed. Guests played games and gobbled up goodies from A Joy Wallace Catering.
Harvey Nichols, London
Harvey Nicks--as loyalists like to call it--has personal shoppers on hand for their VIP guests, which means you're not only working with the best salespeople while relaxing in their VIP shopping room, you're also working with someone trained to find looks that work best for you. Guests like to order lunch from the in-store restaurant, Fifth Floor.
Kaviar And Kind, Los Angeles
What might be the ultimate shopping experience, Kaviar and Kind--a tiny jeweler that stocks unique designers, including Jamie Joseph and A Detacher--keeps their store "by appointment only," which means you have to be a VIP in the first place, even to shop there.
Rene Caovilla, Milan, Italy
Personal shopper Jasmine Serrurier says shoe designer Renee Caovilla makes the best presentation in Milan. Expect the requisite champagne, espresso and tartines. Décor includes brocade and velvet upholstery and bronze-colored taffeta drapes that ensure privacy.
Printemps, Paris
This Paris department store offers a personal shopping service that includes women's and men's fashions as well as home decoration. The store's in-house personal shopper, Josy Mermet, will even give you a personality test to help better define your style. Of course, they'll bring everything to you in a private salon. In addition, no need to spend thousands for this service--just phone the store to make an appointment.
Prada, Tokyo
Designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron's, this Prada flagship offers VIPs a private shopping experience in their back room, flush with champagne and canapés. However, most guests will be inclined to take a peek around the store, as its design--a convex glass structure that resembles a
beehive--is as striking as the clothes it houses. VIP clients include Paris Hilton.
Joyce, Hong Kong
Known for being ahead of the curve when it comes to bringing the big-name designers to Hong Kong--the store was the first to stock Balenciaga and Jil Sander in that part of Asia--Joyce treats its VIP clients with respect. Salespeople attend to big spenders in the private salon, where they sip champagne while slipping on Louboutins.
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